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

Review of Palin and tax return issue

by reader rollomotasi, lifted from comments with slight corrections for readability and links: I’ve been following the Tax Prof on Palin’s tax problems (they are indeed problems), and theataxingmatter site boils down the key issues very well, getting the “tax home” issue as close to right as I’ve seen with her point 1., and her […]

PGL writes

Progrowthliberal notes fundamental confusion from the last debate on bailout priorities in a discussion with Barkley Rosser.

How is it done, siphoning money from national security?

The NYT also reports: “The contractors are making a killing,” Mr. Cantrell recalled thinking at the meeting, in 2000. “The lobbyists are getting their fees, and the contractors and lobbyists are writing out campaign checks to the politicians. Everybody is making money here – except us.” Within months, Mr. Cantrell began getting personal checks from […]

Pentagon has possible request for added $ 450 billion

Congressional Quarterly Politics reports: Pentagon officials have prepared a new estimate for defense spending that is $450 billion more over the next five years than previously announced figures. The new estimate, which the Pentagon plans to release shortly before President Bush leaves office, would serve as a marker for the new president and is meant […]

Consumer spending Sept. 2008 around the world

rdan Here is an interactive picture/graph of consumer spending total and per capita in dollars comparing countries to each other in relation to electronics, recreation, and other major categories. Nothing new, but a great way to teach and see the relationships.

Here it comes…

by reader coberly From a front page above the fold article in the Portland Oregonian, by Glenn Kessler of Washington Post, “explaining” the financial crisis, what to expect, and giving advice to readers: “The increased debt load of the U.S. government will make it more difficult to finance the Social Security deficits that will emerge […]

More tax cuts?

by cactus Hilzoy notices what everyone is worried about…— I hope Hilzoy doesn’t mind if I steal her post in its entirety, but the last line is too good to pass up. And Speaking Of Incoherent Policy…No sooner did I finish my last post than I found this from Politico: “As part of a plan […]

Palin’s income tax reporting

Tax Prof Blog notes the following about Gov. Palin’s tax returns: Tax Profs Agree: Gov. Palin’s Tax Returns Are Wrong Jack Bogdanski (Lewis & Clark) & Bryan Camp (Texas Tech) have independently reviewed the tax issues raised by the release of Gov. Palin’s 2006 and 2007 tax returns and financial disclosure form, as well as […]

DOJ report on prosecutor firings

rdan From the Toledo Blade: It was an overlooked bombshell in breaking news cycles preoccupied with financial crisis, rescue plans, presidential politics, and a vice-presidential debate. But what the Justice Department’s exhaustive investigation and blistering report concluded about the enormous damage done to the department through improper politicization is far more troubling than even Sarah […]