In which I try to answer your questions about modern politics.... In today’s Politics Chat: Since September 8, Iran-backed Houthi forces have seized much of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, including the port of Mocha, about 50 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatening a second major oil chokepoint alongside the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude jumped to around 106 to 109 dollars a barrel, and diesel hit a record 6 dollars a gallon, up from 3.70 dollars a year ago. CNN reported the United States already has about 100 advisers on the ground assisting Saudi forces against the Houthis. Trump's approval rating has fallen to an average of 32 percent. At a nearly two-hour rally, Trump promised every American adult a 5,000 dollar check if Republicans keep control of Congress, a proposal that would cost about 1.3 trillion dollars and is illegal to offer as an inducement to vote. The national debt has passed 40 trillion dollars. The New York Times reported that Vice President JD Vance opposed escalating the Iran conflict from the start. Elon Musk's website, VoteSafe[dot]org, is collecting personal data for targeted political advertising. We’re live here on YouTube, Substack, and Facebook every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 pm Maine time (3 pm PT). Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe 250 to 250 | Follow Along https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2dS6uX1RkUzLppeUrqtvApwnR6whO7I_ You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hcrichardson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson?sub_confirmation=1 © 2026 Heather Cox Richardson. All Rights Reserved. All content in this video is protected by copyright. Reproduction, distribution, or re-uploading, in whole or in part, without prior written consent is prohibited.