When considering the essential, fundamental truth or the most important point of a matter after setting aside all minor details, complications, or distractions AI version). “Ultimately,” “the bottom line,” or “when all is said and done,” Trump does not like immigrants even if legal. Call it what you will. prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, bias . . […]

 – by New Deal democrat In a landmark paper almost 20 years ago, UCLA Prof. Edward Leamer wrote that “Housing IS the Business Cycle.” In that paper he concluded: In the years before recessions . . . consumers contribute a total of 65% of the leading weakness. In contrast, business spending contributes only 10%…. The temporal […]

– by Lindsay Whitehurst Public Broadcasting Service Associated Press  Supreme Court (Monday, February 23) it will hear oil and gas companies’ grievances and their attempt to block lawsuits holding the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The court agrees to take up the Boulder, Colorado case. This case is one […]

 – by New Deal democrat In the past month, all of the various home price indexes have confirmed abating inflation in the shelter sector. This morning the FHFA and Case Shiller house price indexes were updated through December. Last week we got price information for new houses, and earlier in the month for existing homes. In this […]

Finally rested and can comment on Lloyd’s commentary. Definitely something the user of aluminum in products should read. Not all aluminum product are the same. Even so, it does offer a better use material in many instances. Is the aluminum can the key to a circular economy? Lloyd Alter Carbon Upfront! Is the aluminum can […]

Brief update on the impact of Trump’s efforts to bring Cubans and Cuba to its knees. A small nation which has not had much of an impact on the United States. At best Cuba is an annoyance to the U.S. Its ability to directly threaten U.S. security interests is limited. The United States can afford […]

Many of these companies in Thailand have contracts with US automotive manufacturers. Their contract more likely than not are set on a fixed tariff with little room for expansion. They will be turning to the big three and also the Tier1s both of whom buy componentry, wire harnesses etc. under contracts. I can see both […]

Briefly; Data pulled from HealthAffairs. I was curious as to how much healthcare costs have grown in the United States. As the detail from the article shows we have been experiencing costs increasing at 7+ percent the last two years. This is up from 4 and 5% in preceding years. I have not checked it, […]

 – by New Deal democrat Personal income and spending are among the most important monthly indicators of all, because they give us a detailed look at consumption by the broad range of American households. And since consumption leads employment, they also give us an idea of what is likely to happen with regard to jobs in […]

That was a few decades ago. Not sure what they are doing today. Having served at Gitmo for almost 10 months, I can clearly state there is not much threat to the United States coming from Cuba. Indeed, we would get people coming over the fence to escape. The Cubans on base were happy we […]