Domestic Politics Archives

Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward

25Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward

Appeals Court Decision Comes As U.S.-Mexico Meet On Root Causes Of Migration January 25, 2024—As President Biden faces pressure at home to stop the flow of irregular migration to the United States at the southern border, Mexico is drawing attention to one of the root causes: U.S.-made weapons in the hands of cartels. Mexico's Defense Department said this week drug cartels are armed with U.S.-made weapons intended for military use, such as grenade and rocket launchers and fully automatic machine guns. Mexico wants the weapons trafficking to stop. Furthermore, the government is demanding answers from the Biden administration. "It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out," Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena said on Monday. Mexico has the third...

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

19Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

European Parliament Passed Non-binding Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict January 19, 2024—Israel's war with Hamas and its destruction of Gaza has divided the European Union. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a watered-down resolution calling for a ceasefire, the dismantling of Hamas, and the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. The resolution is non-binding and largely symbolic. The Parliament passed it with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. What's noteworthy is not the vote or the individual phrases in it. It is that the resolution is too long-winded to have an impact. It thwarts itself at every turn. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and then says Israel has "a right to defend itself." It calls on all parties to "distinguish be...

GUEST POST: Congress, Ukraine Is Still Germane

17Jan

By Guest WriterNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Geopolitics, Types of News: Analysis, United States

GUEST POST: Congress, Ukraine Is Still Germane

Don't Renege On Our Promise To Ukraine Editor's Note: The U.S. Senate is currently considering a $100 billion supplemental spending bill, S.Amdt.1371 to H.R. 815. It would provide $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, and Taiwan, and include $14 billion for U.S. border security. As much of the world's attention has shifted to the Middle East, support for Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression is waning in some countries, including the United States. Ukrainian President Zelenskky addressed top officials from United States, the European Union, China, the Middle East have gathered for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on January 16, 2024. Op-Ed by William Slomanson Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Thomas Jefferson School of Law. William Slo...

Biden Takes The Bullhorn, Walks The Picket Line

26Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Types of News: Brief, United States

Biden Takes The Bullhorn, Walks The Picket Line

President Biden joins striking workers in Michigan September 26, 2023. September 26, 2023—The power of the U.S. presidency is the bully pulpit, and today President Joe Biden put it to use. As the national autoworkers' strike grew in numbers and gained more news media attention, politicians are taking close notice. The issue is not only that the expanding strike has consequences for workers, consumers, business and the larger U.S. economy, it is also a political one. It is not cynical to say that both parties want to win the loyalties of blue-collar workers, especially in a swing state like Michigan. It's simply a practical matter in U.S. politics. Biden Comments On Workers' Pay Today, Biden wooed striking workers in person. He arrived on the scene one day in advance of a vis...

In the U.S., One Strike Ends As Another Grows Bigger

25Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Capitalism, Types of News: Analysis, United States

In the U.S., One Strike Ends As Another Grows Bigger

Auto Strike Has Political And Economic Consequences Auto workers strike outside Ford plant in Michigan. EDITORS NOTE: Workers' rights is part of an analysis of economic empowerment. Update: Both strikes ended up in deals with management. Automakers Ford, Stellantis, and GM provided up to 25 percent pay raises over four and a half years, reinstatement of cost-of-living adjustments, and elimination of some tiered wage. The Writers Guild of America secured historic protections from AI including protections against the use of AI in scriptwriting. September 25, 2023—As one major labor union strike in the United States ends, another one is getting bigger. U.S. politicians gearing up for the 2024 election are taking notice. Both strikes are taking place as industries undergo technolog...

US, Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Partnership

11Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Domestic Politics, Geopolitics, Types of News: Analysis

US, Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Partnership

New Partnership Paves The Way For Billions Of Dollars In Business Deals U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong deepened strategic ties. September 10, 2023 Credit: White House photo September 11, 2023—The United States and Vietnam elevated their relations to a new level on Sunday—the highest strategic partnership in Vietnam and a significant one in the United States. U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong agreed on Sunday to deepen political and diplomatic ties while paving the way for billions of dollars in business deals. It comes 10 years after the two countries formed the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Partnership, and it ref...

El Salvador’s Bukele Rises In Popularity In Latin America

29Jul

By No Comments

Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Democracy, Human rights

El Salvador’s Bukele Rises In Popularity In Latin America

July 29, 2023—Reporting for the Los Angeles Times, Kate Linthicum describes El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has become a "hero on the right" for Latin American leaders even as human rights groups cry foul. It's been four years since Bukele took office and two years since he declared himself as the world's "coolest dictator." Today, many in Latin America view the president as a model for fighting gangs, violent crime, and corruption, even if it comes at the cost of civil liberties. Critics complain that the El Salvadorian leader embraces authoritarianism, but "as homicides plunged, Bukele's approval ratings skyrocketed," Linthicum writes in a LAT report this week. Even as he clears the way for mass criminal trials of hundreds of people at a time, his popularity rises in count...

U.S.: Another Debt Limit Debacle Looms Large

2May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief, United States

U.S.: Another Debt Limit Debacle Looms Large

May 2, 2023—U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned congressional leaders on Monday the federal government might have trouble paying its bills beginning in early June if Congress can't come together on terms for increasing the debt limit. The U.S. government breached the $31.381 trillion limit on amassing debt in January. Ever since the federal government has been resorting to extraordinary measures to get by. As of April 28, the U.S. federal debt stood at $31.45 trillion. State And Local Governments First To Feel The Pinch In a letter to Congress on May 1 Yellen said state and local governments are the first to feel the pinch. Today, Treasury stopped issuing securities known as State and Local Government Series (SLGS) that help states and local governments comply with tax reg...

Economic Sands Shift: ‘B’ Is For ‘Beginning’

16Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Types of News: Videos

Economic Sands Shift: ‘B’ Is For ‘Beginning’

March 16, 2023-Recent turmoil in the banking sector in the United States and Europe poses a challenge to governments facing inflation. Here's my take. Due to the lag effect of central bank policies, what we are seeing in the banking sector is a beginning not an end to financial troubles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyBfFctQYn4

US Regulators Act Following Bank Collapses

14Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief, United States

US Regulators Act Following Bank Collapses

Run On Bank Was First Sign Of Significant Volatility Amid Rate Hikes March 14, 2023—U.S. regulators and policymakers acted swiftly over the weekend following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on Friday and Signature Bank on Sunday. The runs on the banks by customers are the first signs of major volatility following the Federal Reserve's multiple rate hikes to reduce inflation. The government through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation provided a risk-exception guarantee for all bank deposits of the two banks. That mitigated the risk of additional runs on banks. The details are as follows: The FDIC's guarantee would not apply to investors or unsecured debt holders. Regulators removed senior management of the banks. The FDIC took over Silicon Valley Bank and opened Signature...