Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

“the enemy of Republics is entrenched power”

The United States of America at 250: the enemy of Republics is entrenched power  – by New Deal democrat On America’s 250th anniversary, the state of the Republic is not good. Ten years ago, after the 2016 election, I embarked upon a reading journey, to seek an answer to the questions: are Republics fragile? Are they […]

“taking payment in yuan and using those yuan to buy Chinese goods”

Sounds like a strategy to me. Been to China multiple times. Interesting place to go. We would fly in Beijing. The plant manager’s vehicle along with two drivers would pick us up and take us to the plant in Tianjin. We would spend a few days there listening to the issues, taking notes, and discuss […]

Those Other People . . .

A couple of commentaries by Robert Reich. Some history on a new candidate that is different than what is usually picked. This World War II PSA Warned Us About Fascism – Robert Reich Robert Reich: I came across this Public Service Announcement produced by the U.S. government in 1945. It seems apt today, on the […]

Podcast or Read? “Abraham Lincoln and the Role of Government in the Economy”

I read Michael Klein’s (executive editor of EconoFact) conversation with Roger Lowenstein on the role of government in the economy. It is not terribly long. Maybe 10-15 minutes in listening and a bit longer in reading for me. I like to read as I dwell on what I read. Then I will go back and […]

The Stench of Corruption and Dictator-worship is Over-powering.

As you read Paul Krugman’s commentary on the Slaughter decision by SCOTUS, it is not that hard to understand why he is concerned about the results of the SCOTUS decision. I typically might say (in a normal situation) we could expect a president given this power would decide in a manner benefiting citizens. Not this […]

New Deal democrat’s Weekly Indicators: Simply Stellar Consumer Spending June 29 – July 4

Weekly Indicators: Still Strong Spending, Tepid Tax Payments Two cross-currents I mentioned in my long piece Friday were very much in evidence in the high frequency data this week: huge gains in aggregate YoY consumer spending, and very weak withholding tax collections. My take on this is that the top end of the income distribution […]

The future of medical genetics

Nearly three decades ago, I created a course for first year medical students called “Molecular Biology and Genetics.” Together with a clinical faculty, I co-directed the course for 22 years. There’s a piece over at Medpage about “niche careers” in medicine. Here’s one: “7. Medical Genetics and GenomicsMedical geneticists diagnose and manage hereditary conditions, using […]

GOP and Trump Policies Increase ACA Insurance Costs

This is a long commentary. However, it is very detailed. Charles Gaba explains the impact of Republicans allowing the enhanced federal tax credits to expire as well as other Trump Regime policy changes. Quite a few middle and low citizens dropped healthcare policies or took lower costs due to affordability. “How much more are ACA enrollees *really* […]

After the Attempted Albertson’s Merger

Kroger is looking to acquire Giant Eagle at ~1.7 billion. So far the FTC has not made a peep. The franchise can be found in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. “Kroger is again Looking to Acquire Other Supermarket Chains” Is a Merger and Acquisition (M&A) Strategy good for Kroger? Probably as it […]