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

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 Otherer Supermarket Chains” Is a Merger and Acquisition (M&A) Strategy good for Kroger? Probably as it […]

My Big Picture nowcast and forecast at mid-year 2026 (it may surprise you!)

 – by New Deal democrat Earlier this week I promised an updated Big Picture forecast and nowcast for the US economy, plus a note about how broad or narrow was the participation.  Most commentators either have a financial or ideological agenda – getting you to buy their stock recommendations, or selling you on DOOOM, cherry […]

Happy July 4th, Bears!

“I don’t know a soul who’s not been batteredI don’t have a friend who feels at easeI don’t know a dream that’s not been shatteredOr driven to its kneesOh, but it’s all right, it’s all rightFor lived so well so longStill, when I think of the roadWe’re traveling onI wonder what went wrongI can’t help […]

Academic Ideas to Working Policies Differences in the Public Sector

I do read Dan Zetland’s site the One-Handed Economist from time to time. He does post interesting commentaries which Angry Bear reposts. This happens to be one of the ones I find to be interesting. Soft money versus hard money? What are the differences between either and especially when it comes to physical labor? From […]

More activity, less cancer

“Prolonged, uninterrupted sedentary behavior was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of dying of cancer, a study of more than 90,000 people showed. “Every additional hour of prolonged sedentary behavior per day was linked with a 10% higher hazard of cancer mortality. Replacing an hour of sedentary behavior daily with light physical activity or with […]

June employment report: weakly positive headlines, and important negatives in hours and payrolls

 – by New Deal democrat My Big Theme for the past few months has been that the AI Boom (or possibly bubble) is counterbalancing a stagnant or even shallowly recessionary rest of the economy. After three good reports in a row, the June employment report was very weak, and in some respects even negative. Below […]

Leadership and Justice that Looks the Other Way and Ignores Racism

As I explained multiple times. Turn out was less in 2024 that in 2020. 3 million people did not vote, The same numeric of ~ three million who voted for others did similar in 2024 and it had a larger impact. Turn out was less in 2024 by percentage of eligible voters 59.7% as compared […]