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

Cash, Debit Card, or Credit Card

“Jugging or bank jugging” refers to a type of crime where individuals are targeted after making cash with-drawals from banks or other financial institutions. The criminals, known as “juggers,” follow victims to a second location and then rob them, often using force or threats.  I always tell family, be aware of what is around you when […]

Trump threatens EU and Mexico with higher consumption taxes on Americans

Trump is counting on his base not understanding that tariffs are a consumption tax. They make imported goods more expensive and allow domestic producers to jack up their prices by relieving competition. “[Douglas Holtz-Eakin] added that Trump was using the letters to demand attention, but, “In the end, these are letters to other countries about […]

The People vs Wealth

I don’t know much about New York City, but I do know that the upcoming NYC election will be about democracy vs wealth, the people vs wealth; about whether wealthy interests or the people govern.  How do I know this?  Because, ever since our Declaration of Independence and Constitution threw off the tyrannies of monarchies […]

New Deal democrats Weekly Indicators July 7-11

– by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. Despite the warning signs in some of the recent monthly data that I’ve highlighted in the past several weeks, the high frequency data this past week indicated smooth sailing, at least for now. Some of that is likely due to the 4th of […]

Dollars, deficits and debt

David Zetland, The one-handed economist The US dollar (USD) is the world’s currency of exchange, debt investment, and reserve currency. These different roles are often merged in our heads because they’ve been synonymous for decades, but the wheels are falling off and those roles — I think — will unbundle. I’m going to explain, but […]

Putting markers down: what will it take for my forecast to activate a “recession watch?”

 – by New Deal democrat Our data drought won’t end until next Tuesday. In the meantime, let me follow up on a theme from my analysis of the economic data from last week. To wit: there are several metrics that I have already stated are worth a “recession watch;” namely, housing units under construction (down almost […]

Massive Giveaway to the Student Loan Industry

It has been a while since Angry Bear has featured Student Loan Justice and Alan Colling on Angry Bear. The issue still remains. A Corporation can seek loan forgiveness and get it. Students were denied access to such bankruptcy for decades before the Covid epidemic. It was too late when Biden sought more student loan […]

Jobless claims continue to suggest weakness but no downturn

 – by New Deal democrat We finally have some new data this week – the usual, jobless claims. Initial claims declined -5,000 for the week, while the four week moving average declined 5,750. With the usual one week delay, continuing claims, on the other hand, rose 10,000 to a new 4.5+ year high of 1.965 […]