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

Social Media Posts from President Elect Donald Trump through the Lens of professional wrestling

The best way to interpret social media posts from President-elect Donald Trump is through the lens of professional wrestling. Prof. Heather uses such to make a point. It is not reality as much as showmanship. Whatever happened to Junkyard Dog, the Hart Foundation, etc,? I ran into the Hart Foundation in the Detroit Airport. It […]

Lessons for Progressives

As I read this and having grown up in Chicago. The layout sounds more like Chicago politics with precincts, districts, Wards, and Aldermen (Alderpersons). There was also a Mayor. Mayor Richard Daley owned Chicago. If you needed something done, you went to see your Alderman. Recommendations came in a similar manner and worked up the […]

September’s Pledge on Grocery Prices

All lies and jestStill a man hears what he wants to hearAnd disregards the rest . . . So what does the public think or believe today about grocery prices? Or are they scared to death after hearing Trumps plans on how to cut excessive spending. Which is the result of cutting taxes due to […]

Immigration: the tech bros vs the Nazis

I’m surprised this hasn’t bubbled up sooner. Not only has immigration been a net strength for America throughout its history (unless you’re a Native American), but in the last three decades, immigrants—particularly from China and India—have fueled American biotech and computer technology innovation. So when I read Trump and his supporters vilifying immigrants and threatening […]

Initial jobless claims continue neutral trend, while continuing claims make a 3-year high

 – by New Deal democrat This Christmas week initial claims declined -1,000 to 219,000. The four week average rose 1,000 to 226,500. With the typical one week delay, continuing claims 46,000 to 1.910 million, the highest number in over 3 years: On the YoY% basis more important for forecasting purposes, initial claims were up 2.8%, […]

Sales of new and existing homes increased in November; declining price trend continues for the former, but pressures increase in the latter

 – by New Deal democrat I’ve been looking at new and existing home sales more in tandem recently, as we are looking for a rebalancing of the market, with prices abating in existing home sales and inventory increasing, vs. new houses where prices have been slightly declining. Additionally, as usual let me start with the important […]

Caps and Budgets

Here’s a program to limit out-of-pocket costs and insurer overreach: Put a cap on household spending and put providers on a budget. The ‘skin in the game’ gambit has failed – by Merrill Goozner GoozNews Online vitriol isn’t pretty. But the mass schadenfreude that greeted the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, while cruel […]

Consulting Firm Caught Promoting the Use of OxyContin

(Reuters File Photo) I picked this up while reading the Bangkok Post a newspaper I would pick up while in Thailand working. It is a notable newspaper. The following was printed in a press release by the Office of Public Affairs as released by the US Department of Justice. Justice Department Announces Resolution of Criminal […]