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

Behavioral Economics and Conservatism

David Brooks has noticed the increasing popularity of behavioral economics. He argues that it would be a mistake to allow the recognition that people aren’t perfectly rational to convince us that policy makers should intervene more in the economy, since they aren’t rational either. My reaction is that, of course, the level of sophistication required […]

PGL writes

PGL at Econospeak has a note on Holtz-Eakin’s interpretation of Q3 BEA statement. James Hamilton has a graph and thoughts. CR points to another thought on Q3 from the San Francisco FED Dr. Janet Yellen here.

Halloween Economics

Halloween’s Voodoo Economics (Business Week) Americans will spend 50% more in 2006 than they did last year on Halloween jack-o-lanterns, spooky costumes, and ghoulish decorations. From haunted houses to horror flicks and tales of headless horsemen, Halloween is a day when the fearful becomes fun. But maybe scarier than any demonic costume are the record […]

Story for George Bush, Hank Paulson, and Ben Bernanke

by cactus Story for George Bush, Hank Paulson, and Ben Bernanke My wife and I are renters – we figured we never could justify paying the crazy prices we saw people charging for houses. But now the bubble burst, and we figured – OK, now’s our time. So there’s this house my wife likes. A […]

It’s All My Fault

From a rabid Obama supporter in North Carolina: Don’t let this happen to you. My Fellow Americans, my ballot is cast. Make certain that, by the end of voting November 4th, yours is too.

TV serials as an indicator of inflation

by: Divorced one like Bush Just a little point of order regarding how bad this economy is. Lost in Space 120 episodes, 33.2 per seasonBatman (on twice weekly) 120 episodes, 53.33 per seasonThe Virginian, 249 episodes, 27.67 per seasonThe Beverly Hillbillies, 274 episodes, 30 per seasonGilligan’s Island, 98 episodes, 32.67 per season New season started […]

Tom Toles is a Priceless National Treasure, Volume X

Though the claim made may not be true, the sentiment seems real: Update: Brad DeLong apparently beat me to publishing this one by about 40 minutes. I blame my trying to use a Mac, but it’s nice to know neither of us got it from the WaPo website, where it was up yesterday.

I work hard for my money

rdan Yves Smith comments on a NYT piece about NY Attorney General Cuomo.  The following caught my attention this morning.  Admittedly before coffee: Banks have proven to be remarkably immune to condemnation over senior level pay. CEOs and top level producers seem to have an undimmed sense of entitlement, even though the nine banks receiving […]

Media Bias

rdan The Politico has a well written piece on media bias. Not a quantitative description, but reasoned. They say it much better than I.