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

Veteran’s Day

I’ve seen some people post “Happy Veteran’s Day.” I’m not a veteran. Technically, my dad was, although he was a naval officer who did his service in the Canal Zone, nowhere close to combat. I never saw him happy on Veteran’s Day. I was never in the military, although I did carry a draft card […]

Student Loan Updates 2024

It does not look like students holding loan debt and looking for relief will get any relief soon. Newly minted President Donald Trump is in the revenge mode. That would include help from Republicans. Like any new administration looking for revenge, this one will attack the weakest element. It does not mean that Student Loan […]

Early Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Numerics for November 2024

Just some economic analysis about good economic growth in the month of November 2024. Something the public seemed to have missed along the way. 2023 and 2024 appears to have had good growth even with high Fed rates. See chart below. Commerce Data Show Strong Economic Gains Due to Americans Making and Spending More November […]

The Aftermath of the 2024 Election

US Citizens awaken to their new world. Prof. Heather Cox Richardson at “Letters from an American” has a good take on what is taking place three days after the 2024 Election. She states people are beginning to realize what will take place once a Trump presidency and a mostly Republican Congress begins to implement the […]

Shocked, Voters for Trump are Shocked, Shocked After Voting Against Their Own Self Interests

Three days after the election Voters for Trump are finding out what they voted for and how it impacts them. November 8, 2024 – by Heather Cox Richardson Letters from an American Social media has been flooded today with stories of Trump voters who are shocked to learn that tariffs will raise consumer prices as […]

Economy on Solid Ground “Before Election”

US consumers keep economy on solid ground ahead of election – By Lucia Mutikani Reuters WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) – The U.S. economy grew solidly in the third quarter. Consumer spending increasing at its fastest pace in 1-1/2 years and inflation slowing sharply, continuing to defy forecasts of a recession, and outperforming its global peers ahead […]

Inflation During a Pandemic, Other times, and the Results

Can you blame Biden for this? Not likely. Companies can price to what the market will bear and more. Creating Tariffs on overseas product will exasperate the issue and cause higher prices resulting in inflation. If you wish to cut out overseas companies? Bring the product back to the US for manufacture. That is another […]

Six thoughts about the election and democracy

The Trump problem is not – and never has been – the electoral college The problem is that Donald Trump is a competitive presidential candidate in the United States, despite his manifest unsuitability for office.  There are various reasons for Trump’s competitiveness.  Some of these reasons are structural (the weakness of our parties and our […]