www.montereycountynow.com january 2-8, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 The beginning of January is a traditional time to take stock, firm up some plans and even make a resolution or two. It’s a time of opportunity; part of the symbolism of the new year is that there is much that is unknown, and in that mystery, maybe there is some promise. Or dread. Donald Trump’s second term as president presents itself similarly. While I’m an optimist by disposition, I am a skeptic by occupation. The voters have spoken, and Trump will be inaugurated in a few short weeks. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. We all heard during the campaign that where everything is broken, Trump will fix it. I am not naïve, and Trump’s recent lawsuit against The Des Moines Register newspaper, its parent company Gannett and the pollster Ann Selzer—for publishing the results of a poll before the election showing Trump trailing Kamala Harris in Iowa—is a clear indication of what is in store for media outlets that publish stories the president-elect deems unfavorable. I’m also doubtful that Trump’s definition of fixing the legal status for undocumented immigrants in Monterey County, reproductive rights for women in this country or the threats that climate change poses for the planet are anything like what I’d consider a repair. But rather than foretell bad things that might happen, I am going to do a long-range study on some of what does happen. It is my opinion that the election was fundamentally about the prices people are paying for stuff at the store. Trump’s proposed economic fixes so far are tax cuts and tariffs. So I’m going to focus my long-range study on those economic policies. Here’s the plan: I’ll track the prices and rates of a select range of products and indicators every three months and report back in two years on what I’ve found. It’s a not quite random list of products, as they are of personal interest to me. My hope is that by indexing the prices of tequila and avocados from Mexico, solar panels from China, newsprint from Canada and the Ford F-150 Lightning—as well as the rate on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds and the California unemployment rate—I can offer a snapshot in data form of what “Trump fixing it” means. I have enlisted experts to help me compare apples to apples. It’s a tricky exercise; avocados are seasonal and the price of some bottles is always on special at the liquor store. The same holds true with trucks—rebates and discounts fluctuate constantly and right now there is a generous tax credit when buying an electrical vehicle manufactured domestically. The treasury rate and the California unemployment rate are, by contrast, publicly reported, routinely updated data points. I’ve recruited the national newsprint broker who supplies the paper to the San Francisco Examiner, the plant where the Weekly is printed, to track the price of paper. The regional sales manager of the largest liquor distributor will track the wholesale price of a case of Patron (less incentives). I’ve got a local solar provider to offer me the industry newsletter showing the price of modules for largescale (but not utility-sized) solar module purchases. In conversations with these industry pros, it was suggested repeatedly that I also track the price of domestic products in the same categories, because although they may not be subject to tariffs, it is likely that their prices will be influenced by the market. As a result, I’m going to expand my list to include newsprint from Washington and Oregon. (The reason much of the newsprint in this country comes from Canada is that the mills that used to produce that product have retooled to make cardboard to satisfy online retailers.) I’m also adding solar panels produced domestically, as well as those finished in Malaysia and Singapore, plus Makers Mark bourbon from Kentucky. I’m going to check the price of the Tesla Model Y, as it is the bestselling electric vehicle—not to mention that Elon Musk now occupies a central place in Trump’s orbit. And because immigration policies may well have economic impact, I’m also going to track the wholesale price of a case of romaine lettuce from the Salinas Valley. I look forward to reporting back midterm in 2027, after I’ve collected the data. And in the meantime, Happy New Year. Erik Cushman is the Weekly’s publisher. Reach him at erik@montereycountynow.com. Price Point A new year and new president present a chance to measure policy impacts. By Erik Cushman Hot Commodity…Squid drinks plenty of seawater just by oozing around the lair, but next up in Squid’s list of preferred beverages at this time of year is hot tea. It warms the tentacles simply by holding it, which is a bonus. For that reason, Squid prefers Squid’s tea served piping hot. But in an incident a year ago at the Starbucks on Vierra Canyon Road in Prunedale, super-hot tea ended badly for customer Consuelo Nava who, according to a lawsuit filed on Dec. 23 in Monterey County Superior Court, received a cup of tea on which the lid was not properly attached. The drink spilled onto Nava, injuring both of her feet. “Starbucks provided no warning that the tea content was dangerously hot,” the complaint reads. (Squid thought that part was implied—the exception, of course, being the coffee shop mega-chain’s frothy drinks like lattes, which are almost always too cool for Squid’s liking.) Represented by San Jose-based attorney Timothy Gill, Nava is now suing Starbucks for negligence and seeking damages for emotional distress, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity and more, in an amount of at least $35,000. That should go far enough to purchase a whole lot of cups of tea; Squid suggested ordering them iced, to avoid any future issues. Best of the Rest…In the undersea world where Squid lives, whoever is the best is determined by survival of the fittest. On land, humans like to crow about who is the best of the best, to the extent that it loses all meaning. Leading up to year-end, a number of “best” lists were published online about seaside towns, including local spots making rank. HGTV named Carmel as the most charming small town in all of California for its fairytale-style cottages, boutiques, art galleries, white sand beach and other attractions. Not so fast, according to The Travel website, which on Dec. 9 put Carmel below Pacific Grove in a story that touted eight Northern California towns as better than Southern California bergs. Carmel was seventh on the list, described as a place to head to instead of Laguna Beach. Pacific Grove was number four on the list, considered a better spot to visit than Malibu. “In contrast to Malibu’s exclusive and polished scene, Pacific Grove exudes warmth and authenticity. This idyllic retreat offers a peaceful retreat infused with timeless beauty.” (Carmelites, Squid thinks, might take offense on the authenticity point.) Murphys in Calaveras County was ranked first, the place to be instead of Santa Ynez, which, come on now, how can you top the most beautiful coastline in the world? Which proves Squid’s point: These internet “best” lists are totally meaningless. the local spin SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. I can offer in data form what “Trump fixing it” means. Send Squid a tip: squid@montereycountynow.com
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