Rebecca Wilder was a writer at Angry Bear and posted originally posted this at Economonitors. With Rebecca’s permission, Dan reposted this at Angry Bear in 2011. “Santa Claus as a Social Planner“ – by Rebecca Wilder Here’s a nice little model I discussed in 2007: The Economics of Christmas! Hope that you enjoy; I do. […]

As a PhD molecular biologist, I’ve spent my entire career in tech, albeit academic tech. During that time, I’ve had the privilege to work with many colleagues on H-1B visas. I believe in meritocracy, and my experience is that most of these H-1B visa holders were eminently qualified. Were there more qualified Americans out there? […]

Strong Q3 GDP, but long leading components are mixed; first preliminary positive signs for production in October  – by New Deal democrat Because today is a travel day for me, I am going to keep my comments about the much-delayed Q3 GDP report brief. As was obvious, a 4.3% annualized real GDP print is very good, […]

How Many Manufacturing Jobs Has Trump Lost? CEPR In Donald Trump’s imagination, trillions of dollars are being invested in the United States. In the real world, factory construction, adjusted for inflation, was down by more than 10 percent from its year ago level, as of August (the most recent data available). Manufacturing employment, based on the data […]

By changing the mindset of governing – by Jeff Dauphin “We the People” know our government is not working. For decades, Americans have said they want leaders who work together, confront problems honestly, and make decisions that push the country forward. Yet the officials we send to Washington keep repeating the same self-defeating patterns—polarization, gridlock, […]

On October 1, 2025, the first day of the most recent government shutdown, Donald Trump’s net disapproval was 12 points.  By the time the shutdown ended 6 weeks later, his net disapproval had risen to 16 points.  Democrats should keep this in mind as the government funding wars heat up again.  The Dems do not […]

Red Alert: RFK Jr-founded Antivax Org pushing to Ban mRNA COVID Shots. Articles of impeachment are filed, ACA Signups, Michigander Charles Gaba does the News in healthcare Hoo boy. You knew this was coming. Via Jessica Karins of Inside Health Policy: As public health stakeholders and members of Congress grapple with how to respond to changes in […]

Just a “wow” moment. CBS News caves to Trump’s demands to remove a discovery segment involving people who were deported to El Salvador prison. This comes after legal input from attorneys. Basically, the government just censured public news about what it is doing. Robert Reich: Farewell to “60 Minutes” ~~~~~~~ The nation is caving . […]

  – by New Deal democrat This is going to be a sparse week for data, with the exception of tomorrow’s long-delayed Q3 GDP report, and jobless claims on Wednesday. Sadly, so much of the data is still missing or stale that the best source for up-to-date information is in the regional Fed reports, most […]

Ever since I started voting, I’ve voted in either red states or blue states. I’ve never missed an election. But why bother voting, since I’m outnumbered? Well, for one thing, millions of people have fought and died for the right to vote. I honor their memory by exercising my franchise. Beyond that sentimental reason, though, […]