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

Producer Prices may show first inflationary effects of tariff wars

 – by New Deal democrat I typically do not pay much attention to producer prices. Sometimes they do lead consumer prices, but since the turn of the Millennium more often they have been coincident. But with the onset of tariff wars, they may set off some of the first alarm bells. And that may have been […]

Very Good Report on February CPI

February CPI: a very good report, with even the chronic “problem children” getting “less bad”  – by New Deal democrat Let me cut right to the chase: the February consumer inflation report was actually very good. It wasn’t just that the headline and core numbers only went up 0.2% for the month, or that the […]

Uncertainty Could Cost the US Auto Industry

This has been covered before and I will repeat it. The auto industry as it is, is fragile and any political or economic threats could cause it injury with the tiers supplying its part and in sales. It is vastly interconnected with domestic and foreign supply chains. The tiers usually wait to be paid. When […]

JOLTS revisions from Yesterday’s Report

Angry Bears’ New Deal democrat discusses JOLTS frequently. I am not sure if everyone knows what it means. I believe it calls for a short explanation. The acronym JOLTS is an abbreviation for “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) produces JOLTS reports monthly and also annual estimates of job […]

The North American Automobile Industry Waits for Trump and the Gov. to Act

China, China, China. China is not the only offshore manufacturer of automotive wire harnesses, plastic parts, stampings, etc. There is also Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, etc. I know because I was tasked with visiting our plants as a supplier of US materials and parts. Yes, China is in the mix and I would fly into Beijing […]

Families Struggle Paying for Child Care While Working

Finding a reputable child care facility or person to watch your child or children has become more difficult and costly. The EPI articles compares the cost to other items as well as costs in each state. For low wage workers the costs have become unsustainable. Policymakers have been pushing for addition sources for preschool care. […]

Time for Senate Dems to stand up against Trump/Musk

”Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”~Napoleon Bonaparte What should Senate Democrats do about the GOP continuing resolution? Filibuster and send it back to the house, which will certainly mean a shut-down? Or let it pass on the grounds that Democrats can’t be blamed for the consequences? James Carville’s argument is that […]

Is abundance the liberal answer to Trump?

This past Sunday the New York Times ran an essay (gift link) adapted from Ezra Klein’s new book with Derek Thompson.  The book, which I look forward to reading, is on abundance liberalism.  Klein’s essay begins as follows: I keep seeing Democrats say the resistance failed. On these pages, James Carville counseled Democrats to “roll over and […]

How Tesla makes money

Is Tesla a car company? An AI company? A projection of Elon Musk’s ego? In Europe, it’s a greenwashing company. Selling credits to other automakers looking to avoid paying penalties for not meeting European Union emissions targets has proved lucrative for all-electric Tesla. “Since its founding, the electric vehicle company has brought in billions from […]