The country's national assembly has approved significant changes to the Constitution, allowing a president to serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms. The decision passed nearly unanimously, with 57 yes votes and only 3 no votes. I've been somewhat vexed by the current president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. While I've been impressed by his ability to impose law and order in a country that has experienced extreme internal conflict due to gang violence, and even more impressed by his visionary approach to incorporating Bitcoin into the nation's financial strategies, there is absolutely no reason for a country to abolish term limits for any political position, let alone the presidency. This is undoubtedly a misstep by the government of El Salvador and will likely have harmful long-term consequences.

The current government of Myanmar, established via a military coup, is now looking to transition back to a more normal state of affairs. The junta government immediately declared a state of emergency upon taking power, and that is finally coming to an end as the country prepares for a return to elections and normal governance. States of emergency are one of the most perilous features of modern governance and should be treated with extreme caution and skepticism. With that said, a 4-year-long state of emergency is absurd and indicates to me that the return to normal governance will be met with all types of resistance from the outgoing administration, as they have become accustomed to ruling an authoritarian militaristic government.

Leaders of both governments have issued a joint statement to ease tensions that were starting to create concern in the region. In Ghana, there were anti-Nigerian protests, with demands that Nigerians be immediately expelled from the country because their presence was seen as causing an uptick in crime and social problems. The Ghanaian government, I think, is trying to appease the Nigerian government, but I don't believe this will do much to reconcile the underlying tensions. While the Ghanaian Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, is correct to stress the importance of both citizens and non-citizens being treated fairly under the law, I don't think the frustration of the Ghanaian people is coming from nowhere. These issues often stem from deeper economic and social challenges that require more comprehensive solutions.

President Trump was adamant that his administration is dedicated to ensuring the United States becomes the crypto capital of the world. This latest project by the Securities and Exchange Commission is a major step in that direction, as it provides regulatory guidance and infrastructure to ensure the U.S. financial system can fully embrace blockchain technology. As a firm believer that cryptocurrency is an essential element of creating a more just and equitable world going forward, I'm happy to see the new leadership at the SEC not simply giving this prospect lip service but clearing the path for the evolution of financial technology and markets.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has issued substantial revisions to previous reports, finding that job growth figures were overstated by 258,000 jobs over the last several months. These reports are an important indicator of how the American economy is faring, so the changes mean that economic analysts have been interpreting bad data and therefore misunderstanding what's happening in the labor market. More importantly, the bureau must develop better methods for tracking this information, as this level of gap between reality and reporting is truly unacceptable.

With an executive order, President Trump has reinstated the iconic fitness test for schoolchildren. This is another example of the influence of the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement on the administration's behavior. Children's physical fitness is currently abysmal in this country, and all efforts to turn the tide, I think, should be applauded. It is truly concerning how normalized poor physical health has become, and perhaps the best way to establish a long-term solution to the problem requires starting Americans on a physical fitness journey in their youth.

Unlike the city government in Portland, leaders in Seattle suggest that coming into compliance with the demands of the federal government is a bridge too far. They feel that it will compromise the ability of local government to reflect values of Seattle residents and also that the federal government does not have the ability to restrict funds if the city does not comply. Seattle is already struggling quite a bit to handle its fiscal responsibilities, so this grandstanding, I think, is misplaced. For most cities, picking a fight with the federal government is a mistake, but we will see how it turns out for Mayor Harrell and City Attorney Ann Davison.

Alaska has long been ignoring both a budget crisis and requests from schools to fix deteriorating buildings. As a society, if we can't find the imperative to ensure children have the trappings of safety, we have failed desperately. Regardless of other priorities, every child in the United States should have access to educational facilities that are functional and school systems that allow them to further their education and sustain their health. Alaskan officials have got to figure this out, and quickly!

Portland's mayor, Keith Wilson, is overseeing an overhaul of the city's policies intended to ensure that the city's rules and regulations do not include any discriminatory language. While many people in Portland's city government are disappointed by the action, they seem to see the necessity in fostering a compliant set of rules in order to receive federal funds. While these discriminatory rules are often well-intentioned, it is simply the case that government cannot create rules which favor or reject certain groups without the most compelling of reasons.

Governor Jared Polis is calling a special assembly to address the budget shortfall and determine how the state can manage its finances amid a decrease in federal spending. I'm personally a big fan of decentralized power and have long advocated for the federal government to return many of the responsibilities it has usurped back to the states where they belong. The transition is going to be difficult for many local bodies, as they will have to adjust to ensuring the state has the funds to act out its vision instead of assuming the federal government will just make up the gap.