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

2/3 = 0.92 %

Robert Waldmann is still trying to learn journalistic arithmetic. Recently I learned that 500,000 = 0 Now I learn from CNN that I got to restudy fractions or division or something as it seems that “two thirds” is equal to 92% A new national poll indicates that two-thirds of those who watched President Obama’s address […]

DOLB’s Punditry on Obama’s speech

by divorced one like Bush Ok, here are my basic issues with the substance of President Obama’s speech. First, may I remind everyone that as of 11/08 I declared my divorce successful. Has it become my mission accomplish moment? I heard this: “And we will expand our commitment to charter schools. but as a father […]

The President’s Speech

rdan Slightly left of center with gracious charm and strength. Whitehouse press office Remarks of President Barack Obama — Address to Joint Session of Congress Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for DeliveryAddress to Joint Session of CongressTuesday, February 24th, 2009 Madame Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, and the First Lady […]

Consumer Confidence

By Spencer The Conference Board Index of Consumer Confidence fell to an all time low of 25 in February– 1985=100.. While many economist debate about the how much of a leading indicator consumer confidence is,I find it to be a very good concurrent indicator. I use it to model real retail sales and have long […]

Advice on Greg Mankiw’s Blog

By Spencer, In the 1990s Greg Mankiw said that the Clinton tax increases would cause a major recession. In fact, the tax increases were followed by a major boom. In the early 2000s Greg Mankiw said the Bush tax cuts would cause an economic boom. In fact, the tax cut was followed by the weakest […]

A new shopper at the Pentagon

by divorced one like Bush Via Multi Medium comes a link to Boston.com for an article regarding another Obama appointment. President Obama late this afternoon nominated Harvard professor Ashton B. Carter, a leading authority on arms control, to take on a surprising new role, according to top administration officials — as the Pentagon’s chief weapons […]

I read because:

rdan I read Angry Bear because: For the news coverage For the comment section For the unique perspectives I follow certain main posters For the analysis of issues View ResultsCreate a Blog Poll Please leave a comment to expand the thinking behind your vote.

Fiscal Responsibility Summit: Guest List

Fiscal Responsibility Summit Attendees: (noted without comment. Except for those of us who follow Social Security-Dean Baker made the cut) ADMINISTRATIONSecretary of the Treasury, Tim GeithnerSecretary of Transportation, Ray LaHoodSecretary of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoDeputy Secretary of State, Jack LewTreasury Department, Gene Sperling White House Chief of Staff, Rahm EmanuelOMB Director, Peter OrszagNational Economic Council, […]

Health care is 20% by volume of the stim bill…no discussion?

cross posted by Rusty Health Care Think Tank Stimulus Bill Part IIWhy is the stimulus bill (H.R. 1) more than 1000 pages? More than 200 of those pages are health care reform, including a massive health care IT plan. How much time was spent debating the largest health care reform plan of the past two […]