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

Celebrating the Living, at the Moment

Erik Loomis of LG&M tweeted out that Guy Clark has entered a nursing home and is “stable.” It’s almost surprising he lasted this long. Suzanna, his long-time wife (a songwriter in her own right, who co-wrote “Come From the Heart,” which her husband covered on Old Friends, and “Easy From Now On,” among other classics) […]

The Legacy of Joan Robinson

by Barkley Rosser (originally from Econospeak) The Legacy of Joan Robinson Over a week ago Joan Robinson came up in connection with the ongoing controversy over Gerald Friedman’s analysis of Bernie Sanders’s economic plan.  When criticized for apparent problems with it he declared that those who understand what he is doing are “Joan Robinson economists.”  […]

IRS Scrutiny of 501(c)(3)s

by Linda Beale IRS Scrutiny of 501(c)(3)s As most everybody is aware by now, the IRS has been under considerable strain for a number of years from budget and staff reductions that have left it underfunded, understaffed, and under pressure.  This is part of the right’s effort to “shrink the government to a bathtub and […]

Just watched Bernie Sanders’s speech at a rally in Louisville. It was one of the best speeches I’ve ever seen a politician give.

Sanders was at the very top of his game tonight in Louisville.  A genuinely beautiful speech, delivered in perfectly modulated tone, with a wonderful, mostly young group standing on the stage very close behind him and to his sides, and a crowd that several times broke into chants of “Bernie! Bernie!”.  I felt like I […]

Defending the IRS Against Right-Wing Attacks

by Linda Beale Defending the IRS Against Right-Wing Attacks The IRS is a government agency that endures all kinds of hostile attacks.  Most people don’t really like to pay taxes.  Even I don’t really “like” paying taxes, though I do recognize the importance of paying taxes and supporting the societal infrastructure that pays for the […]

SCOTUS Approves New Rules for FBI Hacking and Legislates New Law

In 2014, Joseph Hall explained why this could be an issue. “The US Department of Justice is seeking to drastically expand its abilities to search computers remotely through an obscure change in the rules of criminal procedure. This would have the effect of making it easier for law enforcement to remotely break into and search […]