MON 1/31/22
•U.S. and Russian diplomats meet at the United Nations in New York today as more than 100,000 troops Russia have amassed near the Ukraine border. Russia denies it intends to launch an attack but has made demands the U.S. and NATO deem “impossible”: That NATO stop deployment of weapons, roll back forces elsewhere in Eastern Europe and assure that Ukraine not be allowed to join the alliance. (ABC News.)
Consumers Have That Sinking Feeling — The Index of Consumer Sentiment as measured by the University of Michigan is like the temperature in Michigan right now: Low. Specifically, the number is 67.2%. According to Dr. Richard Curtain, chief economist for the study, this is the “lowest level since November 2011.” And if that’s not enough to disturb your Monday morning, here’s more from Curtain: “Overall confidence in government economic policies is at its lowest level since 2014, and the major geopolitical risks may add to the pandemic active confrontation with other countries.
“Although the primary concern is rising inflation and falling real incomes, consumers may misinterpret the Fed’s policy moves to slow the economy as part of the problem rather than part of the solution.”
Note: It comes back to messaging. While there has been solid economic growth and increases in employment, the messaging from not only the White House but Congress has been weak at best. Go to a grocery store and see entire sections of shelves with nothing on them and that’s what the everyday American uses to calibrate what’s going on. Go to a car dealership and see the salesperson with an even more-smug look on his or her face than they did pre-pandemic because they know that anyone who wants a vehicle is going to be paying sticker — and likely more. That’s what average Americans are up against.
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Trump Reveals Political Platform for November 2024 – In the final days of his presidency, Donald J. Trump granted 114 pardons (ranging from Steve Bannon to Lil Wayne). During his administration there were a total 143 pardons. Seems like there is potential for that number to rise. At his latest MAGA rally in Houston Saturday ex-President Trump said: “If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6 fairly,” Politico reports. “And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons, because they are being treated so unfairly.”
Note: “If I win” seems a rare point of magnanimity for the former president, who had warned previous to the November 2020 presidential election that he would accept the results only if he were the victor. This latest comment smacks of Trump trying to shore up support among his hard-core supporters, including most of more than 725, and counting, January 6 rioters who have been charged in the insurrection. Most of those who plead or are found guilty will have served misdemeanor sentences by then, Politico reports.
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1/6 Panel Subpoenas 14 Over “Fake” Slates – Fourteen Republicans from seven states that voted for Joe Biden in the November 2020 presidential election received subpoenas Friday over for allegedly submitting fake slates for former President Trump to Congress to delay or block January 6 certification of Biden’s victory. The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection demands that chairpersons and secretaries for alternative electors in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin produce documents and appear for a deposition in February, Roll Call reports.
Note: Though considered a “failed” coup and setup for Trump’s triumphant return to the White House after the November 2024 presidential election, it seems the attempt by pro-Trump Republicans was well-organized in a relatively short time – the alternative electors apparently met December 14, 2020 to carry out a scheme allegedly being organized by Trump’s closest advisors.
--Edited by Gary S. Vasilash and Todd Lassa