Default in our stars✨

Pres. Trump says mandatory payments like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security  are “next.” If those payments are not paid, the US government would have officially defaulted on its obligations. 

We all need
sustenance.

This is the current cash and borrowing situation for the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the risk of default — and what it potentially means.

• If the government cannot borrow more (because the debt ceiling isn’t raised) and cash-flows are insufficient, then it may have to delay or skip payments on some obligations (e.g., interest on Treasuries, benefits, salaries). That would be a default.  
• Such an event would likely trigger:
  
• sharply higher interest rates for U.S. government borrowing
• disruption in global financial markets, given Treasuries are foundational to many systems  
• potential cascading effects—like delays in payments to contractors, benefit payments, etc.
• It’s important to note that “default” doesn’t always mean the same thing in every context:
  
• A technical default might be a missed payment by a deadline or a payment made late.
• A sovereign default is broader: failing to meet obligations in a way that undermines faith in the government’s ability to pay.

  

  Feed the poor
  and hungry. 

  
  

• The U.S. government has not defaulted on its major obligations in a way that is widely recognized as a full default.
• However, the risk of default (or very significant payment delays) is real and rising, especially if there is a political impasse over the debt ceiling or budget.

📊 What the data show

• The Treasury’s main operating account — the Treasury General Account (TGA) — has a balance in the ball-park of $850 billion (about $851,952 million) as of October 15, 2025.  

• Treasury reports that its “operating cash held” increased to about $870.8 billion during Fiscal Year 2024.  

• The Treasury also uses what are called “extraordinary measures” when near the debt limit — accounting/manoeuvre tools to buy time when borrowing authority is constrained.  

• For example: The Treasury estimated an “X-date” (the day it runs out of funds to meet all obligations) would have come sometime in mid-to-late summer 2025, if no action was taken on the debt ceiling.  

✅ What this suggests

• Having ~$800-$900 billion in cash gives the Treasury a buffer to continue making payments for some time.

• The existence of extraordinary measures means the Treasury has tools to delay default even after hitting the statutory debt ceiling.

• So, immediate default is unlikely today, based on available data — there is time to act.

⚠️ What the risks / caveats are

• Although the cash balance is large, it doesn’t mean there is unlimited ability to pay everything indefinitely. The buffer is finite, and obligations are large and ongoing.

• Extraordinary measures are temporary. They buy time but are not a permanent fix. If Congress doesn’t act (or some revenue/spending shock happens), the buffer will run out.  

• The “X-date” estimates come with uncertainty: changes in revenue, spending, or unexpected obligations can move the date up or down.

• The recent raising of the debt limit (to ~ $41.1 trillion) gives more headroom but doesn’t remove underlying structural pressures.  

• At this moment, the U.S. government appears not to be on the brink of immediate payment default. The cash buffer and tools are working.

• However, if the government shutdown or debt-ceiling impasse continues or worsens, or surprises occur (e.g., large unforeseen payouts), the risk of delays or default rises.

• Key indicators to monitor:

• How fast the TGA (cash account) balance is drawn down.

• Whether Treasury signals a new “X-date” (the point at which it cannot meet all obligations).

• Whether extraordinary measures are being expanded or indicate stress.

• Political/legislative actions: whether Congress acts in time to raise or suspend the debt limit. 

Rent is due.

This explains late payments to Section 8 landlords but for someone concerned about programs like rent payments under federal subsidy programs (such as Section 8) or other federal payments: while there’s no confirmed broad default yet, delays are possible if cash-flows are strained. These “delays” have occurred since May 2025. 

It is important to note that Section 8 is not the only social service program in peril, however, it is a program fashioned for the working class to improve their circumstance and for the poor to have affordable housing.

Emergency Housing Voucher program that started during COVID, is running out of funds.

And in some cities — like Atlanta — housing agencies have even paused rent increases for landlords because of all the budget uncertainty.

So if you’re a tenant or landlord, it’s smart to check your housing portal or contact your agency just to make sure payments have gone through.

The bottom line is that Section 8 is still standing, but the system’s feeling the pressure.

And with the government shutdown stretching on, everyone’s watching to see how long it can hold. However, there are new budget items being added, creating a strain and cuing perception issue number one gazillion: Somebody’s addicted to flying in jets when they could probably use military transport. js

Friends, this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about priorities. When leaders find money for luxury planes but can’t agree on feeding the most vulnerable… what does that say about us as a nation?

We’ve all seen hard times. Some of us have lived through shutdowns, layoffs, uncertainty… and yet, here we are, trying to make sense of choices being made hundreds of miles above our heads — literally flying high — while others struggle just to eat.

De plane!

Here’s what the scale comparison looks like between the Homeland Security jet purchaseand monthly SNAP benefits — to put the impact in perspective:

✈️ DHS Jet Purchase

• Cost: about $172 million for two Gulfstream G700 jets

• Justification: “mission readiness” and replacement of aging aircraft

• Timing: During a federal shutdown and funding freeze, which has drawn bipartisan criticism

🍎 SNAP (Food Stamps) Monthly Outlay

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves roughly 42 million Americans

• Average monthly benefit: around $180 per person

• Total monthly payout ≈ 42 million × $180 = $7.56 billion per month

So — in scale terms:

Item Estimated Cost Equivalent SNAP Coverage

2 DHS jets $172 million SNAP benefits for ~955,000 people for one month

1 month of all U.S. SNAP benefits $7.56 billion About 44× the cost of both jets

🧮 Budget Impact Context

While $172 million is small compared to total federal spending (over $6 trillion/year), it’s politically and ethically significant during a funding crisis:

• DHS’s purchase draws scrutiny because nonessential spending is supposed to pause under a shutdown.

• USDA has stated it will run out of funds for November SNAP benefits if Congress doesn’t act soon — meaning tens of millions could go without food assistance.

• The optics are stark: luxury aircraft being purchased while families may lose grocery money.

⚠️ Summary

• DHS jets: ~$172 million discretionary expenditure

• SNAP funding gap: ~$7.5 billion monthly risk

• Symbolically, one procurement equals nearly a million people’s food benefits for a month.

• The issue isn’t that the jets “caused” the SNAP shortfall — but that budget priorities and timing during a shutdown make the contrast glaring. 

🍎 SNAP (Food Stamps) Monthly Outlay

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves roughly 42 million Americans

• Average monthly benefit: around $180 per person

• Total monthly payout ≈ 42 million × $180 = $7.56 billion per month

So — in scale terms:

Item Estimated Cost Equivalent SNAP Coverage

2 DHS jets $172 million SNAP benefits for ~955,000 people for one month

1 month of all U.S. SNAP benefits $7.56 billion About 44× the cost of both jets.

The issue isn’t that the jets “caused” the SNAP shortfall — but that budget priorities and timing during a shutdown make the contrast glaring. The saying, “Perception is 100 percent,” means although there may be extenuating circumstances, the People don't see those. They see you 🫵 flying high in a jet.

SNAP, Project 2025, and the Politics of Hunger: What’s Really at Stake for American Families

Project 2025’s Approach to SNAP and the Safety Net

We all benefit from
sound nutrition.

Project 2025, a policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and allied conservative groups, lays out an extensive plan to reshape federal government programs. One key section targets welfare and nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP. 

The plan argues that current safety-net systems discourage work and expand government dependency. To address that, Project 2025 proposes tightening eligibility rules, increasing work requirements for able-bodied adults, and reducing states’ flexibility to expand access to benefits. It also calls for reversing updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines how much assistance families receive, effectively lowering SNAP benefit levels over time. Supporters say these reforms would encourage self-sufficiency, while critics warn they would push millions into food insecurity. Households with males are supposed to get more benefits because males consume more food as they have greater muscle mass.

Shutdowns and SNAP: How They Connect

Although Project 2025 doesn’t explicitly advocate for government shutdowns, its push to shrink federal programs overlaps with the kind of budget standoffs now threatening SNAP funding. When Congress fails to pass spending bills, the U.S. Department of Agriculture can only continue SNAP benefits temporarily using carryover funds. If a shutdown drags on, those reserves run out, leaving millions uncertain about their next month’s groceries. As of mid-October, federal officials have warned states that SNAP funding beyond November could be delayed if the shutdown continues. That means families may experience sudden benefit interruptions—not because of new legislation, but because of stalled government operations.

What It Means for Families and Communities

For the 40 million Americans who rely on SNAP, these political battles have real consequences. Grocery prices remain high, wages haven’t kept up with inflation, and food banks are already stretched thin. Any reduction in benefits—or even a short-term delay—can leave households skipping meals or choosing between food, rent, and medicine. Whether the next few months bring policy reform or a funding crisis, the outcome will shape how the nation cares for its most vulnerable citizens.

Who gets SNAP?

SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) serves people of all races and backgrounds across the United States. It’s based on income and household need, not race. However, government data shows that participation rates vary among racial and ethnic groups — largely reflecting broader patterns of income inequality and access to resources.

Here’s what the most recent USDA and Census data (2023–2024) show:

📊 

SNAP Participation by Race and Ethnicity

According to the USDA’s most recent Characteristics of SNAP Households report:

• White (non-Hispanic): ~36–38% of participants
• Black or African American: ~25–27%
• Hispanic or Latino: ~17–19%
• Other races (Asian, Native American, multiracial, etc.): ~15–20% combined

(Percentages can vary slightly by year and how “race” and “ethnicity” are categorized.)

Context

• White Americans make up the largest number of SNAP recipients, because they represent the largest share of the total U.S. population.
• Black and Hispanic households are more likely to use SNAP, proportionally, due to higher rates of poverty and lower access to generational wealth and economic opportunity.
• SNAP also serves many children, seniors, and people with disabilities — groups across all racial lines.

🕊 

Bottom Line

SNAP isn’t a “racial” program — it’s an anti-hunger program that provides food assistance to working families, veterans, seniors, and children from every community in the U.S.

The data reflects economic disparities more than racial ones.

Betting on regular things is a thing now

Yes, betting on regular things is a widespread phenomenon, often referred to as novelty betting, special bets, or proposition (prop) bets. 

This form of wagering extends beyond traditional sports and casino games to include a wide range of everyday events and pop culture moments. It has become a significant part of the online gambling industry, with a number of platforms dedicated to this market. 

Common subjects of novelty betting

Novelty bets cover a broad spectrum of predictable and unpredictable events, including:

• Weather: Wagering on whether it will rain on a specific day or if a weather record will be broken.
• Politics: Betting on the outcomes of elections, policy decisions, or political events. In some places, this is done through specialized platforms called prediction markets.
• Pop culture and entertainment: Wagering on the results of reality TV shows like The Bachelor or Survivor, award ceremonies like the Oscars, or even celebrity gossip and relationship changes.
• Financial and economic events: Placing bets on the rise or fall of specific markets or other economic indicators.
• Competitive eating: For certain high-profile events, like Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, people can bet on the winner.
• Other random events: Some platforms and informal bets involve speculating on things like the name of a celebrity's baby, a future pope, or the discovery of alien life. 

Prediction markets vs. traditional betting

Online platforms that specialize in betting on non-sports events can take different forms.

• Traditional online sportsbooks, like BetUS, offer novelty betting sections alongside their main sports offerings.
• Specialized prediction market platforms, such as Kalshi and Polymarket, allow users to trade contracts based on the outcome of future events. These "event contracts" function more like a financial market than a traditional bet.
• Social betting apps, like WagerLab and Thrillzz, allow friends to place casual bets using a virtual currency for fun and bragging rights, with no real money at stake. 

Regulation and legality

Novelty betting operates in a complex legal landscape.

• Legality varies by jurisdiction. While some offshore bookmakers offer these bets, many countries have regulations limiting legal betting to specific types of events.
• In the United States, real-money online sportsbooks are heavily regulated on a state-by-state basis, and most states do not permit wagering on election outcomes.
• Prediction market platforms like Kalshi have received some regulatory approval from bodies like the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for certain "event contracts," but face pushback in some jurisdictions, particularly regarding sports-related markets. 

Risks and appeal

For both casual players and serious bettors, novelty bets offer a different appeal than traditional gambling.

• Accessibility: Novelty bets can engage people who are not normally interested in sports gambling, drawing them in with bets related to their interests in pop culture or current events.
• Unpredictability: While some bets, like Oscar winners, can involve research, others depend largely on luck and unexpected outcomes, which can increase their risk and excitement.
• Potential gateway: Critics and addiction experts warn that novelty and entertainment props can serve as a gateway to more serious gambling habits for vulnerable individuals. 

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra for their 84th season and Music Director/Conductor Kirk Muspratt's 25th Anniversary Season!

Maestro Kirk Muspratt
Naperville Magazine

The 2025-26 season kicks off with a night of  Italian music at La Dolce Sinfonia, October 17 at 7:30pm. Celebrate Maestro Muspratt’s 25th anniversary season with a concert full of his favorite Italian pieces. From the soaring drama of Cavalleria Rusticana to the sweeping grandeur of Pines of Rome, this program brings Italy’s most beloved music to life. Tenor Jesse Donner lends his powerful voice to favorites like Nessun dorma, O sole Mio and Funiculì, Funiculà, while the orchestra shines in the lush beauty of Cinema Paradiso and Mendelssohn’s vibrant Italian Symphony. Music about Italy, music written by Italians, music from movies about Italy and Italians, and even a little Sinatra too! It’s going to be one big party!

The beloved Holiday Pops, a South Shore Holiday Tradition, will have two performances in two special locations: December 4 at the Hard Rock Live (age 21+), where you can enjoy an array of dining and cocktail options; and December 6 at Valparaiso High School. Both shows will be at 7:30pm.

On March 6, at 7:30pm, fairy tales come to life with Spellbound. Lost slippers and glowing feathers; fairytales will leap off the page! Prokofiev’s Cinderella enchants with its graceful melodies and playful twists on the classic fairytale with narration by Phil Potempa. Stravinsky’s Firebird ignites the stage with fiery rhythms and a thrilling battle between light and darkness. It will be a spellbinding journey full of wonder and excitement.

The season will conclude on May 22 at 7:30pm with The Music of Tina Turner at the Hard Rock Live (21+). All hail the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll! Superstar singers LaKisha Jones, Nova Y. Payton, and Armando Imagines will take you on a journey through Tina Turner’s legendary musical career as your orchestra elevates iconic songs like “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Disco Inferno,” “Proud Mary,” and more. As sentimental as it is powerful, this production pays tribute to the eight-time GRAMMY-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in a way that proves Turner was “Simply the Best.”

Additionally, the Symphony has introduced the Spotlight Series of Sunday afternoon concerts at 2:30pm in Munster: Woodwind Quintet, Sunday, November 9 in the Center for Visual and Performing Arts Gallery; Stories with the Maestro, Sunday, February 15 in the Theatre at the Center; and Requiem for the Living with the Symphony Chorus, Sunday, March 29, in the Theatre at the Center.

Concerts are performed at Living Hope Church, 9000 Taft Street, Merrillville/Crown Point, unless stated otherwise.

Tickets range from $49 - $89 for the season concerts, and $30 general admission for the Sunday afternoon concerts. Students are just $10 for all concerts. Subscriptions are available for the 4 season concerts at a 10% discount off regular ticket prices, or you can supersize your season by purchasing all 7 concerts and receive a 15% discount. Subscriptions are available until October 17. GROUP SALES ARE AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNT beginning at 10 people. 

This Symphony Gala, Sabor Vivo!, will feature James Sanders and Conjunto. Join the Symphony for a sizzling evening of afro-Caribbean jazz, cocktails, dinner, entertainment and silent auction, October 10 at 6pm. Tickets are $175 per person, and tables of 10 start at $1750.

Call the Symphony office at (219) 836-0525 or visit the website at www.NISOrchestra.org for more information or to order tickets.