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

The Supreme Court Returns

In the News York Times comes this notice: The Supreme Court begins a new term on Monday, even as the landmark rulings of last term continue to reverberate. The court has agreed to hear more than 50 cases so far on disputes both familiar and fresh: from affirmative action and freedom of speech, to campaign […]

A $1000 per month pension equals $300,000 in savings

Too much recent travel, but my wife referred me to this article by Lynn Parramore* (originally published here) on how the 401(k) “revolution” was a big bust for the middle class, something I have also written about. I just wanted to add one quick point to her discussion. Parramore references the common recommendation that you […]

A Question for Opponents of ACA/Obamacare

Because I need to understand the actual assumptions in play. The question is simple: Should every American have access to affordable health care? Now there are a range of answers explicitly or as often explicitly returned by opponents of which the following is just one set: 1) Yes. And every American has access via Emergency […]

Congressional Republicans’ Approval Ratings in Freefall. Dems Hold Steady.

I couldn’t resist following up on yesterday’s post with another polling outfit. Quinnipiac just came out with fresh numbers. Here’s net approval over the last five months: Currently: Negative 57% for the Pubs, compared to the Dems’ (still less than impressive) -28. Here’s the breakout: Highlight number: As of October 1, 74% of Americans disapprove of […]

Is there an inflation blowback coming from China?

James Rickards wrote the book Currency Wars a few years back. (source video) He is supported by the Charles Koch Institute. He says the US wanted China to appreciate their currency, so that the dollar would depreciate, because the fed wanted to import inflation in order to meet their nominal GDP targets. His view is […]

Subsidies and the 4th District Of Iowa (Rep. Steve King) Summary Information

4th District and the shutdown, this article describes the predominant sentiment in the 4th district, and certainly Rep. King’s loudly proclaimed views, on the “shutdown” and even “default” as being not so bad. Mr. King gets a solid vote from its voters. From this site comes information on the 4th district. I did look for […]

THE CBO AND SOCIAL SECURITY… HYSTERIA and HONEST MATH

by Dale Coberly THE CBO AND SOCIAL SECURITY HYSTERIA and HONEST MATH The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released a new projection for the costs of Social Security  [no citation.  I looked up the link in the AEI article (below) and did not immediately find a projection for SS].   They say that increases in […]

It’s Working: Pubs’ Polls Plummeting

Give the Republicans enough rope and they’ll hang themselves? It seems to be working. Yeah, it looks like Dems have taken a hit from this whole business, as Republicans hoped they would. But like the debate in general, it’s very much not symmetrical. Combine this with the Pubs’ internal discord: are they reaching the point that […]

John Boehner Demands Fairness to Arkansan Butch Matthews and His Wife, and Offers to Give Up His Own Healthcare Insurance, Just to Start the Fairness Thing Rolling.

WASHINGTON — House Republicans emerged from a closed-door meeting on Friday with no new strategy to end the budget standoff and an angry plea to President Obama to negotiate over his health care law. “This isn’t some damned game,” said Speaker John A. Boehner, his voice rising in anger. “The American people don’t want their […]

Rand Paul* Says That If He Becomes President, He Will Give In To Dem Demands To Dictate Union and Tax Law. Oh, and the Farm Bill and Environmental Law. Really.

Hot Mic Catches Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul Scheming Here’s the transcript, notice the focus on principle: PAUL: I just did CNN, and I just go over and over again: “We’re willing to compromise! We’re willing to negotiate.!” I don’t think they poll tested “we won’t negotiate.” I think it’s awful for [Democrats] to say […]