A couple of pleasant surprises

As some at DU know, I am retired with my wife in the Philippines. I went to the US for 3 weeks and just retuned back to the Philippines. When I left here for the States, the price of Deisel was 135 pesos per liter. That was equivalent to $7.55 a gallon. Today I purchased diesel for my vehicle and farm equipment at 87 pesos a liter, or $5.45 a gallon. That puts the Philippines' fuel at or near parity with the United States average. Gasoline was also similar. I expected the fuel prices here to be through the roof. Now don't get me wrong, we are still suffering, as diesel was priced at $3.35 a gallon before the war After all. nearly every drop of fuel for the Philippines comes through the strait. America is energy self-sufficient, yet the price remains the same in both locations. I don't get it, but it is a pleasant surprise.

Second, while I was away there was the assassination attempt on Trump at the WHCD. I fully expected a "sympathy bump" for Trump in the polls. Much like the Butler attempt. Instead, Trump and the Republicans continue to fall in every poll. Again, I was pleasantly surprised that the American public is keeping their eyes on the ball.