PreZIHpitación Inesperada

I live in the big beautiful blue state. Prices are so high here ...

A strong economy is a blessing and a curse. Prices in general are high in California because the economy is so strong. With regard to oil and gasoline, part of the problem is the geography and air quality. No responsible person would want to return to the 1960's and 1970's smog years. However, that only adds about $0.10 to $0.25 per gallon depending upon where you are in the state. The most salient issue is the inesapable, first-semester Economics class concept of supply and demand. Anyone who has ever driven on the freeways of Los Angeles would be overwhelmed trying to estimate the immense amount of gasoline that Californians must burn every day. Compounding upon that, we have a culture of Not-In-My-Backyard when it comes to building new petroleum infrastructure. And to add insult to injury, the price of land in California is yet another headwind for companies considering investing.

With regard to the current governor, he certainly wasn't my first choice. At first, his "Golden Boy" persona turned me off. However, he has risen to take on the Orange Mussolini while many other politicos cower in fear. For that, I am eternally grateful. Now, does he have a chance to become President? (This assumes that there are any further elections. That is a shaky assumption unless ICE is brought under control.) I don't think so. The middle of the country hates California. The circular firing squad Democrats need to elevate someone from the Midwest or South or many one of the rugged Western states. Mark Kelly, anyone?

With regard to the strength of the United States dollar, personally, I have been bemoaning the fact that the dollar has been too strong for too many years. The effects of currency fluctuations are often subtle and difficult to predict. This we do know: A lower U.S. dollar will make the goods and services from the United States more competitive. At the same time, those of us who bring our dollars aboard will see lower purchasing power. A dramatic drop of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso such as Rob is proposing would almost certainly affect many potential ex-pat immigrants' decisions whether to relocate to Mexico versus other locations. I have visited Mexico when the peso was 10 to 1 dollar and when it was 20 to 1 dollar. I will continue to do so at either exchange rate, Lord willin' and the creek don't rise. Or as the Mexicans say, "primero Dios."