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

Economics of Jailing for Profit and Budgets

Jailing for Profit: When Budgets Depend on Locking People Up – by Nazish Dholakia Vera Institute Across the country, more than 1,300 counties have expanded existing jails or built new ones over the last 20 years, increasing the nation’s capacity to lock people up in jails by almost 40 percent. One of the drivers of this growth […]

Lessons for Progressives

As I read this and having grown up in Chicago. The layout sounds more like Chicago politics with precincts, districts, Wards, and Aldermen (Alderpersons). There was also a Mayor. Mayor Richard Daley owned Chicago. If you needed something done, you went to see your Alderman. Recommendations came in a similar manner and worked up the […]

September’s Pledge on Grocery Prices

All lies and jestStill a man hears what he wants to hearAnd disregards the rest . . . So what does the public think or believe today about grocery prices? Or are they scared to death after hearing Trumps plans on how to cut excessive spending. Which is the result of cutting taxes due to […]

Immigration: the tech bros vs the Nazis

I’m surprised this hasn’t bubbled up sooner. Not only has immigration been a net strength for America throughout its history (unless you’re a Native American), but in the last three decades, immigrants—particularly from China and India—have fueled American biotech and computer technology innovation. So when I read Trump and his supporters vilifying immigrants and threatening […]

Initial jobless claims continue neutral trend, while continuing claims make a 3-year high

 – by New Deal democrat This Christmas week initial claims declined -1,000 to 219,000. The four week average rose 1,000 to 226,500. With the typical one week delay, continuing claims 46,000 to 1.910 million, the highest number in over 3 years: On the YoY% basis more important for forecasting purposes, initial claims were up 2.8%, […]

Sales of new and existing homes increased in November; declining price trend continues for the former, but pressures increase in the latter

 – by New Deal democrat I’ve been looking at new and existing home sales more in tandem recently, as we are looking for a rebalancing of the market, with prices abating in existing home sales and inventory increasing, vs. new houses where prices have been slightly declining. Additionally, as usual let me start with the important […]