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

Elon Musk can’t do arithmetic

Kevin Drum over at jabberwocking.com watched the Trump spectacle over at Madison Square Garden so we didn’t have to. He zeros in on Elon Musk: “Elon used to be smart enough to do simple addition, but he thinks we can cut “at least” $2 trillion from federal spending—which amounted to $6.1 trillion last year, not […]

Are immigrants taking jobs from ‘native’ U.S. workers? 

What the Economists say Not likely. However it is a good economic and political ploy to play on voters. And Trump plays it well to stir up voters. The tariffs Trump proposes will hurt far more US citizens economically than immigrants coming to America legally or illegally. Trump is betting he can play on people’s […]

New Deal democrats Weekly Indicators for October 21 – 25

– by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. Ever since – and in response to – the really good jobs report early this month, interest rate yields on bonds have crept back up, giving back most of their summer gains. That puts some pressure on the long leading indicators. Also […]

Canvassing and the Election

Eric Kramer’s Observation in his Post: “Pennsylvania canvassing report.” Eric: For those of you who are Harris supporters and looking for good news, one of my co-canvassers pointed out that we have seen no Trump canvassers and little evidence of past Trump canvass efforts (not much Trump literature on porches).  And we’ve been in very […]

After Pandemic, Health Insurance for Those Losing Medicaid Results in Employer Coverage

Almost a wash according to a recent study. The study provides timely insights on a shift in health insurance coverage among working-age adults after the restart of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations in April 2023. As expected, one study documented large and significant declines in Medicaid coverage post-unwinding. Contrary to some expectations, the study found no statistically significant […]

The Administrative state

The plutocrats on the right want to dismantle the administrative state, so they say. Of course, their wealth derives directly from the fiction of private property and an administrative state is required to enforce that fiction. Their wealth is monetized in currency, which is another fiction that the administrative state holds a monopoly on. The […]

Taxes, Postage, and Medicare Updates

Initiative and Program Updates that have come into being in 2024 and also 2025 under the Biden Administration impacting Elderly Economics. The reporting is by AARP. Some of those who have passed into history that caught my eye too. Federal Income Tax Brackets for 2025 In the U.S. tax system, income tax rates are graduated, […]

Medicare-for-all-lite

I miss my fellow writer Maggie Mahar who had an excellent view of what HealthCare should be like. Merrill offers up a similar view. In this review, he takes down “We’ve Got You Covered: Rebooting American Health Care,” by authors Liran Einav and Amy Finkelstein. The issue? Proposing the creation of a universal, government-funded health plan […]

Wall Street Journal Reports on Another High-Level American Chatting with Putin

This is interesting. Another high-level American seeking wisdom and advice from Vladimir Putin. I guess anyone can to talk to whoever they wish to talk to. But, are there no voices of wisdom in the US for a billionaire who can buy his way into everything??? As the story suggests, this could lead to a […]