Presidential election dominated the news in 2016 - almost

 One look at national politics in the United States in 2016  and one is met with one word, amazement, at the election of Donald J. Trump at his victory over the hyper organized and well-oiled campaign of Hillary Clinton, a 30 year veteran of state and national politics as well as global in her role as secretary of state. While Trump, hardly holding a mandate with 56.9 percent of the electoral college vote, and with only slight changes the day they voted, the reality has brought disbelief, shock, anger, public demonstration. It also has brought a herd mentality for progressive and liberals, as well as politicians, as they struggle with the new president, and his proposed cabinet.

There is delight in some quarters amongst those Republicans, even those who disagreed with, nor wanted Trump as their candidate, much less president, such as Mitt Romney as well as Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who are enjoying having one of their own in the White House, after eight years of a Democratic presidency; even as they were able to halt significant chunks of Obama’s legislative proposals.. Now, as they see it, is their chance to rid the country of their much hated “Obamacare,” even if it did help 20 million people obtain health care.

While much has been written about the presidential election of 2016, and will continue to be, let it be said, that not since the election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson has there been such anger, slander, accusations, in the race to the White House. The end result left the country and much of the world in shock, and the Clintons, and the Democrats, in disarray.

There were other major national stories as well, and here is a list of some that hold equal weight, and some that might have just gotten buried under the election news.

Number Two: Russian spies on the election, and in a new variation on Cold War espionage, President Obama threatens Russia with sanctions, in an already tense eight years between the two countries. But, this was also preceded when it was discovered that the United States also spied on the cell phones of world leaders, including allies such as Angela Merkel of Germany. This may be less of a beginning, and more of a continuation. Critics contend that the US has also intervened, perhaps not electronically, in other countries elections, making it less honorable than it might seem. In one sense, it’s all over but the fighting as the greatest technological goods become Machiavellian in their use. Or, as one wit has said, “the revolution is now televised, and we can hear it, miles away.”

Number Three: With much pressure and almost salivation, by some economists, the Feds increased the interest rate,  after near zero rate for a decade, with an economy that showed some improvement, even if wages are flat. The ever cautious Janet Yellen gave a soupcon of an increase with a schedule of anticipated smaller increments - at least two are expected. While there may be no immediate fallout for the average person, there is hope among many that this might help move the economy along to further gains. Yellen is also in the crosshairs of Trump who has criticized the roie of the Fed and also her.

Number Four:  The lowered unemployment figure of 4.6 -- decreased by 0.3 percent points and gave hope to many job seekers, although the figure, like all, must be understood in light of those who give up looking, or those stuck in part-time jobs but who really want full time. Yet, it was still good news especially for the outgoing Obama administration. The ghosts of Adam Smith may be alive but where can it take the US? More arm twisting by Trump? Thaty can only take the nation so far. Time will tell, say most economists and financial analysts as well as Wall Street financiers.

Number Five: With many U.S. companies moving headquarters overseas to take advantage of lowered corporate tax rates, the Obama administration, who had labelled those moves as unpatriotic, came down hard on those that did and the result was a move that squelched a big deal between pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Allergan. The so-called inversions, were a necessary move by corporations, say defenders, in a U.S. tax code that has not seen revision since the Kennedy administration. Trump has said that he will lower the rate, and maybe toss out the revisions by U.S. Secretary Jacob Lew.

Number Six: In a welcomed move U.S. Housing Prices have increased, in no small measure in the belief that Trump’s talk about tax cuts, and an increase in infrastructure spending may increase economic growth and inflation; maybe even hitting the targets that the Federal Reserve Board looks at. Standard and Poor’s Corelogic Case-Shiller in their 20 city index shows a 5.1 percent increase from October, and after a 5 percent increase in September. Seattle rings in at the highest with 10.7 percent and Portland at 10.3, but Chicago lags at 3.9 percent, only New York and Washington D.C. were in that group.. But, with growth at the top end, where will that leave those in the middle, or even the lower middle for affordable housing?