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

Healthcare Spending

Spending on Healthcare as a Part of GDP I realize I’m being impolite (Dean Baker), but we’re facing fascism and the NYT is saying things are clearly untrue and very detrimental to those of us who care about democracy. A piece on the problem of healthcare costs in the United States told readers: “The Affordable […]

A Booming Economy and Lower Prices?

Trump claimed last week on social media that “Our economy is BOOMING, and Costs are coming way down,” and that “grocery prices are way down.” Rubbish. How do I know he’s lying? Official government statistics haven’t been issued during the shutdown — presumably to Trump’s relief (the White House said Wednesday that the October jobs […]

The art of no deal

Trump screwed his farm belt voters with his China tariffs. While China had been a reliable buyer of American soybeans, it retaliated by buying Brazilian soybeans instead. Brazil is expected to have a record soybean harvest next year. Recently, Trump announced a “deal” in which China would resume American soybean purchases. “A U.S. Department of […]

Jobless claims continue slightly elevated YoY

 – by New Deal democrat Hopefully for the last time . . . As I have done since the beginning of the government shutdown, the unadjusted number of initial and continuing claims can be calculated based on reporting by the States, plus DC, and Puerto Rico. Then, by applying the same adjustment as was used for […]

States Mitigating Lost Federal Tax Credits

Excellent commentary and explanation by Michigan’s Charles Gaba. Charles has been writing on the ACA and healthcare for years going back to when I lived in Michigan. He offers up excellent knowledge and explanation on the topic of states reacting to the lack of tax credits for their citizens, “There Will Be Graphs: A deeper […]

Trump’s Claims for Thanksgiving

#1. Trump’s ‘Irrefutable’ Thanksgiving Claim Hit With Brutal Fact Check (Daily Beast): “President Donald Trump boasted the price of a Thanksgiving dinner from Walmart had dropped under his administration. He conveniently leaves out the catch behind the bargain meal . . . ‘Walmart just announced that Prices for a Thanksgiving Dinner is now down 25% since under […]

Don the con

Trump says affordability is “a con job by the Democrats.” Who ya gonna believe, The Donald or your lyin’ eyes? When Trump speaks of cons, we should listen. He should know, he’s the king of cons. But like all Republicans, Trump accuses others of what he himself is doing. “During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump […]

New Deal democrats Weekly Indicators November 10 – 14

 – by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. The trends of strong retail spending, a weak US$, and strength in commodity prices all continue. But in recent weeks withholding tax payments have waned. While there can be a number of causes for that, it definitely merits a caution flag as to […]

World’s Largest Kite Generating Electric Power in Mongolia

We should be wondering where the United States is in developing similar technology. “China lets fly world’s largest kite in Inner Mongolia for electric power generation,” Bangkok Post Originally published South China Morning Post. Republished Bangkok Post China has successfully deployed the world’s largest power-generating kite, capable of harnessing the potential of energy-dense, high-altitude winds […]

Medicare Advantage

“Medicare premiums are being pushed by rising payments to Medicare Advantage plans,” Social Security Report In 2026, Americans who use Medicare Part B to pay for their doctor’s visits can expect to see premiums increase by nearly 12% to $206.20 a month, according to a Medicare Trustees report. Yet while the government-run health program’s premiums are expected […]