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

Financial Arson Watch IV

Robert Waldmann Over at Firedoglake “Masaccio” has a very interesting report on a legal complaint by the estate of Lehman Brothers against J.P. Morgan. on September 9, 2008, JPMorgan insisted that Lehman sign further agreements, under which Lehman guaranteed all obligations of its subsidiaries, including obligations under derivatives, and lost the ability to access its […]

Telecoms Deregulation ?

Robert Waldmann There seems to be a widespread view that the US experience with deregulation has been mixed. Financial deregulation was a disaster, but airline deregulation and telecoms deregulation were OK (except for how crowded airports are and irritating advertisements by competing phone companies). What is this “telecoms deregulation” of which you speak. I absolutely […]

Holiday sweetness

I have been ‘doing’ the South Beach diet the last three weeks. It is quite amazing how sweet berries, and the occasional small slice of watermelon on this hoiliday week end, tastes. Much better than corn syrup.

PSI?

Does anyone have a handle on pounds per square inch of pressure of the flow of oil (mud not heavy enough?) against the pounds per square of sea bed pressure, and then subsequent impact as the flow encounters considerably less pressure the closer to the surface the flow gets? Update from comments in Oil Drum […]

Constitutional Originalism and Immigration

by Bruce Webb Something has been bugging me. Why is it that the same people that indignantly claim that a requirement for people to show proof of insurance is unconstitutional but that it is perfectly fine, nay imperative that people show proof of citizenship or legal residency? Exactly where in the Constitution does it give […]

To extend or not to extend, Pew (do you) Trust

by Linda Bealecrossposted with Ataxingmatter To extend or not to extend, Pew (do you) Trust The Pew Trust has published a study of the cost of extending the Bush tax cuts: Decision Time: The Fiscal Effects of Extending the 2001 and 2003 Tax Cuts. As surely all ataxingmatter (and Angry Bear) readers are aware, the […]

Structural Unemployment and Technology

Martin Ford points us to an ongoing concern as our economy changes: Structural Unemployment and Technology Previously, I’ve argued here that job automation technology might someday advance to the point where most routine or repetitive jobs will be performed by machines or software, and that, as a result, we may end up with severe structural […]