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Gulf Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
The hidden moral cost of America's tariff crisis
In the spring of 2025, as American families struggle with unprecedented consumer costs, we find ourselves at a point of "moral reckoning." The latest data from the Yale Budget Lab reveals that tariff policies have driven consumer prices up by 2.9% in the short term. In comparison, the Penn Wharton Budget Model projects a staggering 6% reduction in long-term GDP and a 5% decline in wages. But these numbers, stark as they are, tell only part of the story. The actual narrative is one of moral choice and democratic values. Eddie Glaude describes this way in his book 'Democracy in Black': Our economic policies must be viewed through the lens of ethical significance — not just market efficiency. When we examine the tariff regime's impact on American communities, we see economic data points and a fundamental challenge to our democratic principles of equity and justice. Far too often, the burden of such policies falls disproportionately on those who are least able to bear it. Black Enterprise reports that Black-owned businesses face a dual challenge: economic survival and preserving their role as community anchors. The average American household is preparing to shoulder an additional $3,800 annual costs. Still, this figure masks a more profound inequity — BIPOC communities and working-class families spend a higher percentage of their income on consumer goods, meaning they bear a disproportionate share of the tariff burden. The state of our economic solvency is particularly crucial because it intersects with a concept known as the 'value gap." The value gap is a premise that white(ness) lives are valued more than others, which Gluade argues remains embedded in our economic and legislative policies. Trump's enacted tariffs' disparate impact on ethnic and uniquely diverse-owned businesses isn't merely coincidental; it reflects more profound structural inequities in our financial system. Small businesses, particularly those in marginalized communities, face existential threats. According to Small Business Majority, 53% of small companies are concerned about tariffs' negative impacts. These aren't just statistics — they represent community pillars, generational wealth builders, and engines of local economic mobility. Adherence to a moral imperative requires us to move beyond purely economic calculations. It invites deeply reflective and prophetic questioning of ourselves and our systems. We must ask: What kind of society do we wish to be? How do our trade policies reflect our values? The answer lies not in protectionist rhetoric but in "democratic practices" — policies that strengthen communities rather than fracture them. Many economists forecast that 72% of small businesses anticipate higher prices; we are not just seeing market dynamics at work. The country is witnessing the erosion of community resilience, the narrowing of economic opportunity, and the weakening of social bonds that sustain democratic life. Finding sound solutions requires reimagining our economic policies through a moral lens and prioritizing equity and community well-being. Hence, developing trade policies that: * Recognize the interconnected nature of economic justice and democratic health * Account for disparate impacts on marginalized communities * Support rather than undermine local economic ecosystems * Prioritise long-term community stability over short-term political gains The potential impact of the proposed tariff on US communities and consumers could not result in economic consequences. Such tariffs bring to bear a moral crisis that demands a response grounded in principled and practical solutions. Pathways forward are possible with increased economic adjustments; they fundamentally rethink how we value community, equity, and democratic participation in financial decisions. A democracy's economy ought to be more than just market efficiency. It should be morally courageous and committed to shared prosperity. Fierce debate over Trump-era tariffs transcends mere spreadsheets and GDP calculations. It is not an argument about trade deficits or quarterly economic indicators — it's a mirror reflecting our national identity and core values. When leaders indiscriminately slap tariffs on steel from Canada or solar panels from China, we're not just adjusting numbers on a balance sheet but making profound statements about how we view our place in the global community. Unfortunately, protectionist policies often hit hardest in unexpected places: the main street's mom & pop shops, rural American manufacturers who can't afford higher material costs, the local farmer watching crops rot because their usual markets have vanished, or the single parent facing steeper prices at the grocery store. Instead of retreating behind economic walls, policies that match the complexity of our times are essential — policies that protect American workers while staying true to our traditions of innovation, fair play, and economic opportunity for all. We are left to choose between continuing in a direction that exacerbates economic inequality and community fragmentation or embracing a vision of monetary policy as a moral practice that strengthens our democratic fabric while ensuring no community bears an unjust burden in our pursuit of economic security.
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Clear View Advantage Launches Strategic Website Services for New Hampshire Businesses
New 'Clear View Websites' offering challenges industry norms with transparent pricing, long-term support, and built-in visibility tools for small-town success. 'We're not just handing off a pretty homepage. We're building the foundation for long-term visibility and trust, in a way that's clear and doable.'— Amanda McKeen LITTLETON, NH, UNITED STATES, May 6, 2025 / / -- Just months after launching its widely praised Online Reputation Management services, Clear View Advantage is expanding its support for North Country businesses with the launch of Clear View Websites — a new website design and support offering that brings clarity, long-term value, and visibility to rural entrepreneurs. The new service, created by strategist and Clear View Advantage founder Amanda McKeen, disrupts the standard website model by addressing what she calls 'the quiet pain points' faced by small-town business owners: High upfront costs that make quality websites inaccessible Lack of clarity around pricing and deliverables Websites that look good but don't actually help customers find or trust the business According to a 2024 report by Small Business Majority, nearly half (48%) of small business owners say the biggest factor holding them back from building a website is the lack of time and resources. An additional 36% cite a lack of knowledge as a major barrier—especially among BIPOC and women entrepreneurs. In rural areas, the problem is even more acute. 'I kept hearing the same thing from clients and community members,' said McKeen. 'They either couldn't afford a website, or they had one that wasn't doing them any favors. Most local business owners are doing the hard work of showing up for their communities, but their websites weren't showing up for them.' Clear View Websites were built to change that. Designed specifically for small businesses in Northern New Hampshire and beyond, Clear View Websites offer: Flat-rate, transparent pricing (no hourly billing or vague proposals) Custom design by professional partners with local roots Strategic structure for search visibility and online trust from day one Optional monthly support plans for content updates, photo edits, and security maintenance Most website packages focus on visuals and leave strategy, visibility, and trust-building as afterthoughts — if they're addressed at all. Clear View Websites flip that approach, putting long-term results at the core of every build. Each site includes search-friendly content structure, clear navigation, and tools to help businesses rank in Google, show up in directories, and earn customer confidence. This new offering builds on McKeen's reputation for systems-first thinking and clarity-driven strategy. After managing global online reputation campaigns at a leading reputation firm, McKeen returned to her roots in the North Country with a mission: to help local businesses be seen, trusted, and found online. 'A website shouldn't just sit there,' McKeen said. 'It should support your business long after launch. We're not just handing off a pretty homepage. We're building the foundation for long-term visibility and trust, in a way that's clear and doable.' Meeting Business Owners Where They Are Clear View Websites are offered in three tiers: Essentials, Growth, and Custom. All tiers include foundational SEO, strategic content structure, and clear navigation to support customer action. Clients can also opt into the Clear View Website Support Plan, which provides ongoing help without needing to master new platforms or pay unpredictable hourly fees. In keeping with the company's mission, the websites are priced to be accessible while still delivering the long-term tools many small businesses lack. McKeen partners with local professional designers to deliver designs that are both beautiful and deeply functional. What Clients Are Saying 'In just three weeks, she completely changed how Littleton Fitness shows up online—getting us listed in over 60 top directories, fixing the website experience, and making sure we actually show up at the top of Google searches. And it wasn't just theory or empty promises—she delivers real results,' said Mari Myers, owner of Littleton Fitness. Part of a Bigger Movement This launch comes on the heels of Clear View Advantage's growing momentum in the region. In early 2025, the company launched the White Mountains Directory, a free regional listing platform that now features more than 200 local businesses and nonprofits. That effort revealed just how many small businesses are still flying under the radar online. 'Visibility isn't just a nice-to-have anymore,' McKeen said. 'It's a survival tool. With Clear View Websites, I'm offering something that finally bridges the gap between affordability and true strategic impact.' Learn More or Get Started Small business owners can explore website packages, book a free consult, or learn more about Clear View Advantage services at: About Clear View Advantage Clear View Advantage is a strategic consulting firm based in Littleton, New Hampshire. Founded by Amanda McKeen, the company helps small businesses simplify operations, strengthen online visibility, and create sustainable growth through personalized support. Services include Online Reputation Management, Website Strategy & Design, and regional visibility through the White Mountains Directory. Amanda M McKeen Clear View Advantage LLC +1 603-991-6146 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
