The Myth of the “Free Market” and How to Make the Economy Work for Us MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 by Robert Reich One of the most deceptive ideas continuously sounded by the Right (and its fathomless think tanks and media outlets) is that the “free market” is natural and inevitable, existing outside and beyond government. […]
Take out one outlier month, and the ‘stunning growth’ in part-time employment falls from 59% to 19% of jobs added (Mark J. Perry, Carpe Diem, The American Enterprise Institute) Many are still quoting the grossly inaccurate figure of 96% of new jobs in 2013 being part-time. But even the actual 59% derives substantially from a […]
Dennis Hastert just said that there is not and never has been a Hastert rule. He insists that he never had a rule that only bills supported by a majority of House Republicans would be brought to a vote. Hastert is very hard on Boehner. He also noted that he never brought a bill to […]
by Linda Beale Will Boehner Prevent Extremists from Causing US Debt Default? As the shutdown continues, Republican Speaker Boehner still refuses to bring a clean budget resolution to a vote. It is most likely that a clean resolution would pass, ending the charade of the extremist Tea Party faction in the House willing to cause […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]