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

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 […]

January JOLTS report: monthly increases, but significant downward revisions to 2024

 – by New Deal democrat To review briefly, the monthly JOLTS reports give us a more granular look at the employment sector, but are delayed by one month vs. the jobs report. Like the jobs reports, most JOLTS series have shown deceleration for several years. The question over the last year has been whether they […]

True pricing: effects on competition

One of Economist David Zetland’s students. True pricing: effects on competition – The one-handed economist Sarah writes* Although Trump has once again pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, American firms still face consequences in EU markets. Numerous countries are still committed to non-legally binding climate targets, but the EU demands full adherence […]

The (totally contradictory) Big Picture

Scenes from Friday’s jobs report: the (totally contradictory) Big Picture  – by New Deal democrat There is no important economic data today, so let’s take a closer look at some of the noteworthy items from Friday’s jobs report. I’ll start out with the Establishment Survey side and then turn to the Household Survey side. Goods […]

The paradox of economic competition

written by Felix, one of Economist David Zetland’s students. as shown on the The one-handed economist Economists have long defended the benefits of fair competition, explaining that it makes markets more efficient, increases innovation, and generates more benefits for consumers. It’s therefore surprising to see a lack of competition in academic economics, where the same […]

USMAC Exempts Certain Items Coming out of Mexico and Canada

It must be fun to play the crowd, making them think what a tough guy the president is. Did he (being Trump) not know there was a trade agreement with Mexico? Something called the USMCA Agreement? Of course, he did. Of course, much of the US population do not realize this exists and has existed […]