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

Some Additional Thoughts and Reading . . . Fellow Rats

– Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions, but fate of Trump birthright citizenship order unclear. The Copper Courier. “the decision left unclear the fate of President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship.” – States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rules. Associated Press. “authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch and joined by the […]

Preliminary economically weighted ISM average for June continues in “recession watch” territory

 – by New Deal democrat As usual, we start out the month with reports on both manufacturing and construction. Ill post separately on construction. Additionally, the May JOLTS reports was posted, but I’ll discuss that tomorrow. So let’s start with the ISM manufacturing report, a recognized leading indicator for the past 60+ years, although of diminished […]

Trump’s America: shrinking our way to excellence

Abroad, Trump is sending American hard power in retreat by pulling back on NATO and threatening to invade and take over a NATO country. American soft power under Trump is also in retreat, with the abandonment of USAID and Voice of America. At home, Trump is shrinking American agriculture by the USAID cuts. He’s levied […]

Pay close attention to real personal spending on goods

 – by New Deal democrat  This week data arrives in two batches: a smaller batch (ISM manufacturing and construction spending) tomorrow, and a huge tranche (nonfarm payrolls, jobless claims, ISM services, and factory orders) on Thursday. Which means I might take Wednesday off, and/or delay reporting on some of Thursday’s data until Friday. In the meantime, […]

Republicans are Anti-Democracy

(Anti-De) Not all republicans, all Republican politicians.  Who weren’t always.  In my lifetime, in my children’s lifetimes, patriotic, democracy loving Republican politicians were common.  Now, I challenge anyone to name one Republican congressional member worth spit. Before the Republican party’s infamous ‘southern strategy’, liberal, honest Republican politicians were not uncommon.  One could easily name a […]

Problematic Rare Earths

“China Rare Earth Ban Disrupts Automotive Production,” Automotive Manufacturing Solutions Since early April, Chinese customs officials have blocked shipments of rare earth magnets at numerous ports. This halt comes as Beijing drafts a new regulatory framework for export licensing, a move interpreted as retaliation for the US government’s latest round of tariffs. The materials in […]

Elon Musk: quack or idiot savant?

So it looks like Elon and I agree on something. Great minds think alike. Fools seldom differ. “WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk on Saturday doubled down on his distaste for President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax and spending cuts bill, arguing the legislation that Republican senators are scrambling to pass would kill jobs and bog down […]

New Deals Weekly Indicators June 23-27

 – by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. There have been a number of reversals since April, most notably the stock market going from a 12 month low to a new all-time high, but also the front-running by consumers apparent in the weekly Redbook report has also reversed, from over 7% […]

UN and major aid groups have refused to work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

Defeated them on the field, Now, eliminating them in defeat. No humanitarian effort in the Gaza as legitimate aid groups are pulling out due to the dangers at the sites to the Palestinians and the relief effort. Tr__p needs to get off of his ass and stop the slaughter. Jared Kushner has praised the “very […]