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

It’s official – Icelandic bankers have been jailed

If you’ve been following my posts over the last few years, you know that Iceland took the dramatic step of prosecuting top officers at the country’s big 3 banks, all of which were allowed to go bankrupt in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse. Unlike Ireland, it did not turn bank debt into government […]

ISM new orders surge to 58.3: the shallow industrial recession is ending

by New Deal democrat ISM new orders surge to 58.3: the shallow industrial recession is ending      OK, probably ending, since nothing is perfect.  But if there are reasons to be more concerned about 2017, this morning’s ISM report is very strong evidence that the shallow industrial recession we have had for the last year […]

Chris Blattman’s Blog: “An open letter to Senator Chuck Grassley from an Iowan high school student”

Someone far younger than us has seen the false logic of the Republicans in resisting the selection of a Supreme Court Justice. “The argument many Republicans are making is that Barack Obama is a ‘lame duck’ president, and, because “the people have not spoken,” he should not be allowed to nominate a replacement for Justice […]

Brad DeLong Marks His Beliefs about "The Return of Depression Economics" to Market

Lifted from Robert Waldmann’s Stochastic Thoughts: Brad DeLong Marks His Beliefs about “The Return of Depression Economics” to Market I am overwhelmed by admiration for Brad DeLong (happens a lot) who reposted his review of Krugman’s “The Return of Depression Economics” from 1999 “Just in case I get a swelled-head and think I am right […]

The 1996 Welfare reform bill hits again

Max Ehrenfreund and Roberto Ferdman report the latest news in today’s Washington Post Tens of thousands of Americans just lost their food stamps A 20-year-old rule that was suspended in many places during the recession requires that adults without children or disabilities have a job to receive food stamps for more than three months, and […]