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

Javier Milei: Argentina’s Trump?

Modern Argentina has had a problematic and sometimes sordid history. From the dirty war of the 1970s to hyperinflation, the South American nation has been ill-served by most of its leaders. Javier Milei was elected president of Argentina in October 2023 after campaigning to overturn the status quo and transform the economy and politics of […]

What to look for if housing construction does forecast a recession

 – by New Deal democrat No data today, but since it is mainly a housing week, let me pick up on a topic I discussed at the end of yesterday’s post; namely, if housing does indeed forecast an oncoming recession, what should we expect next in that sector? To cut to the chase, ultimately we […]

Industrial Policy

Most certainly. the US was or is seeing the results of encouraging the return of manufacturing in various industries. I believe the semiconductor manufacturing was more the result of strategic need due to foreign influence in the market. Such could probably be said about the steel industry also. Subsidizing improvements in production by the government […]

Leading housing construction data stabilizes, while units under construction continue free-fall. With a continued hurricane asterisk

 – by New Deal democrat Housing data for October, like that for September, has to be viewed with an asterisk, due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Since the effects of both were in the South Census Region, where relevant in the analysis below I will also discuss the numbers excluding that region. The most leading […]

Primary care physicians and unions

One of the phenomena that have led to increased income inequality and the hollowing out of the middle class in America is the decline of unions. Recently, it appears that some workers are trying to claw back some of that lost economic ground. Now I don’t count PCPs as middle class or working class. Yes, […]

Just a Bunch of Charts Depicting Immigrants Coming to America

The U.S. benefits from immigration but policy reforms needed to maximize gains: Recommendations and a review of key issues to ensure fair wages and labor standards for all workers, Economic Policy Institute – by Daniel Costa, Josh Bivens, Ben Zipperer, and Monique Morrissey Migrants and immigrants who resided in the United States in 2022 accounted […]

Getting the Story Right on What Happened

Inflation was caused by Wall Street and companies rent-taking by increasing prices because they could do so by manipulating the supply chain. I started working is Supply Chain in the seventies for a small company by the name of Baxter Travenol. It was smaller then. It was in the old Walgreen’s building before it moved […]

Whither housing? A look at interest rate and inflationary considerations

– by New Deal democrat Starting tomorrow we get to the time of month when the data on the important long leading sector of housing begins to be reported. So let me update a few important points about where this sector is likely going and its effects on the economy. As we probably all know […]

Pushing a Rope on Electric Vehicle Demands

It is probably too soon to demand people to buy electric vehicles. Domestically, the technology is still evolving. Battery driven vehicles are still questionable although some of our Angry Bear commenters and writers have one. June 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares in a written statement declared: The Gov: “Once again, […]

COP29: Switzerland and the world under pressure to deliver carbon cuts 

When I was working in Germany (Rietheim – Weilheim) just north of Switzerland, I would get the English version of their news to catch up on what Europe was doing. It was interesting in comparison to the US which lagged on goals like this. However, it is not because of not trying. Biden’s Inflation Reduction […]