In a Nutshell by Ken Herman

One of the most controversial ideas I have ever heard is to defund, dismantle and/or do away with our police forces throughout the country.  Could there be a worse time to even bring this suggestion up (given the riots and lawlessness America has endured recently)? Already the NYPD has cut 600 special detectives from their ranks. Officials in LA want to cut $100,000,000 from police budgets. Many blue states are headed in that same questionable direction. Are they headed back to the wild west, where American citizens feel the need to carry guns to protect ourselves and loved ones? Check with any gun store and ask about their business. Guns are flying off the shelves throughout our nation. Ammunition is also scarce, if you can find any. 

I heard on the news recently about a woman traveling through her city (Chicago) with her daughter. She entered an area where there were protestors. The protestors gathered around her car and began to climb on the vehicle. Scared for her life and the life of her child the woman called 911– please send the POLICE! Unfortunately, the operator told this very frightened woman that the protest was peaceful and suggested calling the mayor. 

I assume you would agree that most Americans have the utmost respect for most law enforcement officers. Eliminating any police today seems to be going in the wrong direction. How would that benefit America?  Recent rioters (financially supported anti-American anarchists) are dangerous as well as wrong. They should be dealt with accordingly. Many NO BAIL policies in NY are also being taken advantage of by criminals (who are laughing at this insane catch and release rule). 

Jon Ponder, a three-time convicted felon, grew up on the streets of New York, without a father and involved with a gang at a young age. Soon after his release from prison Ponder launched Hope for Prisoners, to help ex-offenders triumph over inner demons, overcome the barriers to finding employment as well as to successfully reenter society. Jon partnered with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to create a special mentorship program, in which law enforcement officers volunteer time to coach former inmates, building trust and mutual respect. Jon recently said, “Defunding the police would be the most horrific thing that our country could ever do”. Jon predicted that violent crime and homicides would skyrocket as a result. He suggested that more resources be made available for police training, for body cameras for all officers, for promoting diversity, and building relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Mr. Ponder added that “It is important that we see police officers out in the community, chatting with locals or playing basketball with the kids. They should not only be in neighborhoods because 911 was called”. Jon calls that “life rubbing against life”. He believes that this approach would eventually solve one of the biggest relationship problems, which is “too many people in too many communities that don’t trust the police”. Wouldn’t it be worthwhile today to consider his advice about how law enforcement might be improved? Let’s not allow America to fall victim to enemies who want to destroy what has been earth’s greatest nation ever! Please don’t allow your state or city to throw out the baby just because the bath water is a little dirty!

In April and May, an enormous quantity of cash flowed into the financial system. Three factors accounted for it. First, the federal government has never been so generous with aid. Second, the Fed has never been so generous with loans and asset purchases. And third, corporations have never raised so much cash out of fear of a liquidity squeeze. The result is about $3.8 trillion in cash flowing into household and corporate accounts since the beginning of March. In a $19 trillion economy, $3.8 trillion is significant. More than a little of this cash found its way into the stock market, fueling its near-full recovery from its March lows. Households spent some of the cash in May, too, lifting consumption 8.2% off its April low. Big gains in economic statistics and an optimistic rise in stocks encouraged belief in a V-shaped recovery, lending credibility to the Fed’s optimistic jobs forecast.

During the second half of 2020 the easy part of this recovery could likely be behind us. The climb back to pre-COVID economic conditions could slow from a gallop to a slog. I don’t think markets are priced for a 4-year recovery, but that is consistent with some thinking on Wall Street. However, wouldn’t it be a mistake to underestimate America’s current President?