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

Ballance and the impossible

Lifted from Robert’s Stochastic Thoughts: Ballance RIP Nothing lasts forever, not even the Washington Post’s devotion to Ballance. If Trump had said the earth is flat, they could have written “Opinions on shape of planet differ. Both sides have a point”. but if he asserts (in the same tweet) that it is flat, spherical, and […]

Explaining Trump’s Appeal, Part 1

by Mike Kimel Explaining Trump’s Appeal, Part 1 The reason Donald Trump has been unstoppable so far is that Republicans, and now Democrats as well, don’t seem to understand what motivates Trump voters.  The single most important driver is, as (almost) always, the economy.  The table below illustrates the problem: Figure 1 As the graphs […]

Debt collection news

Via Dealbook: CONSUMER AGENCY PROPOSES NEW RULES FOR DEBT COLLECTORS There will be some respite for people being hounded for debt as federal regulators are preparing to significantly strengthen the rules that govern debt collection for the first time in nearly 40 years. Under proposed regulations, debt collection companies will have to provide fuller documentation […]