3/29/2021

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            It’s the first day of spring quarter & we will have a faculty meeting to get things started. I hope it is productive. Speaking of meetings, I don’t think you’ve had a cabinet meeting yet. Have you scheduled one? The diversity of individuals at the table will be a welcome change from the White Old Boys who convened in the West Wing in 2020.

            I’m sure that the economy will be a topic of conversation at that first meeting. Perhaps you will give some consideration to Larry Summers concern that all of this stimulus $$ is going to cause inflation. As a person approaching retirement, I worry that inflation will drain my savings. Do you think I should buy some gold or some real estate just in case? I am considering putting some $$ into a Co-housing condo in West Sacto. Do you think that’s a good plan?

            Have you talked to Shalaanda Young about inflation? I’m excited to see that she’s the acting Sec. of OMB. I learned this morning that she’s known for her attention to details and her ability to promote compromise – a much better temperament than your first pick for OMB. I’m sure Neera Tanden regrets all those mean tweets about Senators & Reps that led to her bowing out of her chance to run the OMB. Apparently Larry Summers is also known for a mean streak. I hope that folks are learning that it’s possible to be kind & critical.     

            Thanks for putting in a word about the terrible events in Myanmar before getting on AF1 the other day. It was good to hear that you are working on a plan.

            You used the phrase, “gun control”, during that same press gaggle. That phrase is a trigger for some, so I suggest that you use “gun safety” instead.

            It’s time to get out & enjoy the cherry blossoms before they are destroyed by the storm that’s coming in on Wed. According to the WP they popped early due to your unseasonably warm weather last week.

            HYITL,