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INFLATION….The consumer price index fell last month, but this was mostly due to falling oil prices, so it’s no big deal. It’s a good thing, in fact. Remove oil prices and inflation was up very slightly, perhaps 0.1% or so.

That’s worryingly close to zero, and that’s a much bigger deal, especially since we’re still in the early days of this recession. If prices fall any further, we’re in deflation territory, and that would be dismal indeed. So as much as I dislike the auto bailout on its merits, this would not be a good time to let GM go under. Nor is it a good time to cavil about federal stimulus spending or to force state governments to slash expenditures. So tell me again: how many days are there until January 20th? It would be nice to have an actual president again.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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