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

Angry Bear Center for School Teachers

by rdan In a spirit of cooperation, I have lifted this post from Tim Schilling (economist and Asst. Dir. Powell Institute) blog MV=PQ. It is geared for a lesson plan and material for a high school economic class (gr. 12). Please comment with that in mind. Of course any of this is used in history, […]

Tax rates, growth, and tax revenues

by cactus Together with a co-author, I’ve been working on a book looking at how a number of series – everything from economic growth to abortion rates – have evolved over the length of each administration beginning with Ike. The process is starting to move, we’ve gotten ourselves an agent, and we hope to have […]

Voterwatch.org wants you to participate in presidential debate

I have an interesting opportunity for you guys at Angry Bear! Firstoff, thank you for your continued support of Facing Up to the Nation’sFinances. Now, however, I am writing about the presidential debates.Please read the letter below and let me know if you’re interested: Hello, my name is Billy Hallowell and I am the director […]

Prognostications January to August

by One Salient Oversight Things are progessing swimmingly For me, that is… in terms of my economical prognostication. So I’ll beat my own drum yet again – I know you’re all sick of someone saying “I told you so” but I still can’t understand why high priced financial analysts can make a living out of […]

Stagflation

by reader One Salient Oversight My definition of stagflation Is when Unemployment is 5% or more and when Inflation is 5% or more at the same time. According to the raw data at the Misery Index site, the US experienced my definition of stagflation during the following periods: July 1970 – February 1971 (Unemployment average […]

Capability gaps

by reader ilsm If the capability “gaps” were properly characterized, the whittle this week demonstrates that technical processes are not executed to deliver the capability to close the “gap”. GAO again gives some findings to work from. “A Knowledge Based Funding Approach Could Improve Major Weapon System Program Outcomes”. July 2008. The finding include: “For […]

Added commentary on questionable economic analysis

Moon of Alabama used this chart to chat about Schlaes. GDP numbers according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (bigger graph) A. Smoot Hawley Tariff ActThe first misstep according to Shlaes was the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act which increased tariffs on imports to the U.S. by up to 50%. It was put into law in June […]

SOCIAL SECURITY: Unpacking the Lies

op-ed by reader coberly SOCIAL SECURITY: Unpacking the Lies Social Security is not difficult to explain. The difficulty comes because EVERYONE has been hearing stories about Social Security that are not true. And they have been hearing them their whole lives, so they believe them in their bones. They do not know that these stories […]

Passive makes for never proven guilty…of anything.

Harpers has an article worth reading on Mukasey and his recent statements regarding former Justice Department hiring practices. Notice the lack of consequences and the lack of actual actions on his part to fix the problem…it is now standard practice from my reading of the statement. The conduct described in those reports is disturbing. The […]

Mish and Rdan similar comment guidelines

Mish says: Comment Guidelines: Comments should be succinct, constructive and relevant to the story. We encourage engaging, diverse and meaningful commentary. Comments that include personal attacks, racial, religious, or ethnic slurs are not permitted. We continuously review and remove any inappropriate comments.