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

Just How Many Immigrants are in the United States?

If we are going to chase or discuss undocumented residents, we should at least know the numbers of them. The word immigrants includes US citizens and undocumented residents. Some more data: “How many immigrants are coming to the US?” USAFacts. A report from 2023. “Statistics on unauthorized US immigration and US border crossings by year,” […]

October JOLTS report: red flag warning for employment sector in worst report since the pandemic

– by New Deal democrat This morning’s JOLTS report for October is now the most current official monthly indicator for the jobs sector. And it was emphatically not good. In fact, it was red flag recessionary. In the past year, in contrast to much other data in the jobs sector, the JOLTS reports had been very […]

What Happens When the GriNch Steals Healthcare?

As taken from “Who Will Pay If ACA Tax Credits Lapse?” A commentary out of MedCity News which speaks to the issue of losing subsidies. The Republicans are the instigators in blocking healthcare subsidies for up to 700-800% FPL for citizens. They must have some serious IOUs tucked away to carry them above and beyond […]

Unintended consequences

The Trump Administration’s war on underrepresented minorities is targeting his base—young white men. “For years universities and colleges have been trying to keep the number of men and women on campuses evened out at a time when growing numbers of men have been choosing not to go to college. Some schools have tried to attract […]

Heritage Foundation’s Influence

An interesting piece by Paul Krugman. Never really looked closely at the Foundation. Too busy with other issues I have worked with over the years. Things such as supply chain, transportation, manufacturing, throughput analysis, etc. Not sure I would call the Foundation a fraud; but then, I do not have the bandwidth to make such […]

While capital spending increased sharply, yet more evidence of consumer weakness

– by New Deal democrat On Friday I noted that real personal spending on goods, especially durable goods, had declined in September. If we have reached a tipping point on that metric, a recession in the near future looks much more likely, even as spending on services continues. Late last week we also got further evidence […]

Three Charts on US Tariffs

Erica York – Tax Foundation For those keeping track at home, the President has said he is using tariffs to offset the cost of a long list of programs, including but not limited to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aid to farmers hurt by tariffs, income tax elimination, and $2,000 dividend payments. And now, […]

Rate of Global Heating in the Arab World

“Rate of Global Heating in the Arab World is Twice the Global Average,” Informed Comment The World Meteorological Organization has issued its annual report on the 22 countries of the Arab world, covering last year, and presents alarming conclusions about human-driven climate change in that region. 2024 was the hottest year on record in the Middle East, […]

Rural healthcare pay-to-play

The Trump Administration is holding a gun to the heads of rural citizens in blue states. To get taxpayer dollars to care for chronic illnesses and addiction and mitigate hours-long drives for basic services, states will need to change their laws: “When the Trump administration begins distributing the money at the end of the year, […]

GOP to Cover Fancy Saunas but Not Insurance Premiums

Health Savings Accounts Backed by GOP Cover Fancy Saunas but Not Insurance Premiums, MedPage Today With the tax-free money in a health savings account (HSA), a person can pay for eyeglasses or medical exams, as well as a $1,700 baby bassinet or a $300 online parenting workshop. Those same dollars can’t be used, though, to pay for most […]