June 2, 2025 by Heather Cox Richardson Letters from an American The Republicans’ giant budget reconciliation bill has focused attention on the drastic cuts the Trump administration is making to the American government. On Friday, when a constituent at a town hall shouted that the Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid, the federal healthcare program for […]
– by New Deal democrat The JOLTS survey, which decomposes the employment market into job openings, hires, quits, and layoffs, was reported this morning for April. In 2024 the data were most consistent with a “soft landing,” but the actions of the new Administration, especially on trade, have exacerbated the fear that this might transform into […]
A quick rundown on homeownership and rentals in the United States using graphs and statistics. The time variance is mostly over the last 23 years. The first graph is from 1960 till 2023 and covers the economic issues, gains, or losses which was occurring during that time period. Renting will still take more from your […]
– by New Deal democrat Let’s take a look now at construction spending for April. To cut to the chase, in all respects there was a continued decline. In nominal terms, total construction spending declined -0.4%, while the more leading residential construction spending declined -0.9%, the third straight month for declines in both measures: Total […]
Usually, I place New Deal democrat’s title for his post above. I made it simpler for readers this time to get his point across. Briefly: Between the combination of manufacturing (25% of the economy) and non-manufacturing (75% of the economy), the economic growth of the nation is moving like a slug or as New Deal […]
There’s no evidence that DOGE has saved any money so far: “Picking apart the “estimated savings” of $175 billion on the DOGE website, Tolan told me that less than half that figure is backed up with even the most basic documentation. That means it’s possible only even to start investigating about $32 billion of savings […]
I have been watching this bill “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” slither through the House and move to the Senate. What is occurring here is, Trump trying to kill all opposition to be in control. Or another power play with Republicans backing him up. too afraid of Trump, they are looking the other way as […]
I am not so positive as Robert. I believe we have a long way to go and endure with this president. In the short term, we can work for a change in the House. Perhaps with a turnout of voters we can once again drive policy for people. Robert Reich makes some good points, read […]
– by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. As I wrote about here this week, the supply chain effects of the tariffs have finally bled through to rail shipments, and probably trucking as well. Meanwhile, despite all the uncretainty, as we saw yesterday with the personal income and spending report, consumers […]
What occurred over the last few days in our household was a review of our Medicare Supplemental healthcare insurance (backs up Medicare). We have Plan N which is a good plan. We pay the Part B deductible (if needed) of Medicare which is $257 this year. The rest of Part A and B costs are […]