"It's The Oil, Stupid."

 "It's The Oil, Stupid."

James Carville's classic quip to Bill Clinton to help him win the 1992 Presidential Election was "It's the economy, stupid." Somebody needs to whisper to Joe Biden that Republicans are going to clean house in November because, once again, it is all about the economy. And this time, the economy is oil.

Oil prices have a significant effect on the consumer price index, ie inflation, because oil touches everything; from shipping, to manufacturing, to construction, to food, to travel, etc. etc. The list is virtually endless. Yes, even your Netflix! Streaming takes energy. 

$100 crude oil prices are going to significantly increase the inflationary pressures not only in the United States, but globally as well because oil is demonstrated in U.S. Dollars. This will cause a slowdown in the U.S. economy, with the most likely result a recession as demands ebbs, then collapses as both prices INCREASE and the Federal Reserve withdraws liquidity from the economy. It is the perfect storm.

The Democrats could still be heroes if they had a modicum of will to unleash domestic oil production. They won't, but it they did multiple things would happen immediately. First, the 8% of daily US energy needs currently being sourced from Russia would disappear (hence we don't fund Russia on the back end for then wasting our resources refunding Ukraine on the front end.)

Next, for approximately every 10% price drop in oil there would be a resulting 2.7% decrease in the CPI. Finally, wait for it, OK the quick math tells me $50 oil solves the rampant inflation problem. Oh yeah, you also make the USA energy-independent again, without have to rely on "favors" from enemies abroad.

 

Influence Peddling

It's not a Democrat or Republican issue…it is the central issue to our Democratic Republic; influence peddling. 

What traditionally has sustained the United States, indeed help to cast it at a country of opportunity, free enterprise, and a beacon for millions of oppressed is the belief in fundamental fairness.

One of the major factors of a successful country is the LACK of corruption, especially blatant corruption that signals leaders are above the rule of law. Why is this important? Because influence peddling undermines the very fabric of our Democratic Republic.

The policy standard actually is pretty generous to high ranking officials; it provides what some have called a revolving door that allows various officials the ability to move between private and public employment very easily. This is particularly troubling in regards to the highest elected and appointed officials in the United States; take for example the position of President, Secretary of State, Fed Chair, and head of the NSA.

This is the "cooling off" Standards of Conduct; I believe it is being blatantly ignored.

Let's look at 3 examples:

Bill and Hillary Clinton; former President of the United States and Secretary of State. No cooling off period prior to solicitations, ACTIVE political appointee, massive yearly income from multiple sources.

Next we have the former Head of the NSA, Four Star General David Alexander whose nemesis Edward Snowden is now enjoying exile in Moscow. Gen. Alexander reportedly began IronNet a start-up company the day after he retired which was recently funded $32.5M. When you're pulling down a pension and tapping all your old subordinates for contracts that's a problem.

Finally, I'd like to mention our former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke. I'm a big fan of Mr. Bernanke, but not a big fan how the most powerful unelected person in the world now is consulting for private firms. Is it legal? Probably, but it just doesn't seem right.

The Greatest Generation was know for their service in WWII; indeed, being a member of the military was commonly referred to as "being in the Service."

What we are increasingly seeing is Self before Service. Take note: if you are a government official of significant rank the generous pension, healthcare, and benefits you receive for the rest of your life is compensation for you work; your "service." Your service was the altruistic motivation you had to serve your country at a presumably reduced salary versus what you could have earned in the private sector.

You know this, I know this, all the financial farmers reading this piece know this; influence peddling whether real or perceived destroys this country. Your "service" does not include the collective goodwill of this country as bargaining chips.

I don't think holding former elected/highly appointed officials to the same standards as FIFA or the Olympic committee is too much too ask, there is just too much this country has endured to be blighted by blatant influence peddling.