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

Moving Student Loans to the Treasury Department

While living in Michigan, I was invited to a Garden Party featuring Senator Debbie Stabenow. Being the person I am, I asked on behalf of student having such loans what she was going to do to grant relief to students who are behind, experiencing economic issues, swindled into taking loans to achieve capabilities which do […]

Hooray for “socialism!”

When I retired, my health insurance became traditional Medicare, what right-wingers call “socialism.” I’d read enough not to be seduced by the candy offered in “Medicare Advantage” plans, the free market plans that were supposed to be superior to traditional Medicare. So far, no regrets for me. Sadly, tens of thousands of Americans do regret […]

“Trump take housing:” how the Iran war is killing the housing sector’s “green shoots”

 – by New Deal democrat “Trump take egg” was a social media meme popularized by MTSW at Bluesky, highlighting prices that T—-p had promised would come down, but increased instead. The spike in egg prices was due to avian flu, but when it comes to internet memes, nevermind. Which is by way of introduction to saying that […]

New and continuing jobless claims remain near historic lows

 – by New Deal democrat Along with the weekly update of retail sals, new jobless claims continue to be the most positive economic data in the entire specturm. Last week new cliams increased 5,000 to 210,000, which is about average for the entire post-pandemic period. The only other time they were this low was 2018-19, […]

The bond market sends an unprecedented message

 – by New Deal democrat Something not just unusual, but unprecedented has happened in the bond market this year. Normally, when an inverted yield curve (where earlier maturing bonds yield more than later maturing ones) regularizes, or un-inverts (where yields get higher the later the maturing), it is because the Fed has lowered rates sufficiently […]

Workers Looking for Better Jobs During a Bad Market

Changing jobs for better conditions and pay become more of a danger during a poor economy. It is not a good time to be looking for a better job. Indeed, doing so may put your present job in danger if management finds out. Best bet is to hunker down for the time being. Been there […]

Construction spending in January declined, manufacturing construction tanked; but the AI data center Boom continued

 – by New Deal democrat This morning the construction spending report for January was released (note that this is still about 3 weeks later than usual, so last autumn’s government shutdown continues to reverberate in the data). In the past I have used it to help track the long leading sector of housing, but in the […]

Healthcare in the United States

Some rather easy facts and numbers to understand what is going on in healthcare. The data and graphs originate from USA Facts. USA Facts makes government data easier to access and understand. as the assert, “we don’t tell you what to think. We give you what you need to make informed decisions.” Three topics are […]

Going to War with Trump and Rubio

No doubt the two most inexperienced politicians have decided the US needs a war in the Middle East. Neither have an understanding of the military. Neither served in any service I am aware of today. Both have egos bigger than they are. And they are willing to risk it all and you as long as […]