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

Cranks to run one’s public-health agencies

What is possibly be “our best defense against future pandemics?” mRNA technology saved America’s bacon in 2020. RFK Jr. has been active defunding it. As taken from American Prospect. Since Joel was working on this technology and also received the test doses, I am sure he could add to this piece. 🙂 May 2025 finds […]

How much more will ~556,000 Michigan residents pay if the improved #ACA subsidies expire?

“ACA Signups” (updated) A review of the amount of premium increases Michigan residents can expect when the ACA subsidy increases are removed EOY 2025. Temporary ACA subsidies were passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021. It included two years of enhanced subsidies (2021 and 2022). The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), […]

Intel and Trump Administrative Reach Historic Agreement

“Intel and Trump Administration Reach Historic Agreement to Accelerate American Technology and Manufacturing Leadership,” Intel Newsroom SANTA CLARA, Calif.– Intel Corporation today announced an agreement with the Trump Administration to support the continued expansion of American technology and manufacturing leadership. Under terms of the agreement, the United States government will make an $8.9 billion investment […]

New Deal democrats Weekly Indicators for August 18 – 22

 – by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. There were no big changes this week, but what continues to stick out in the data as far as I am concerned is just how strong consumer spending continues to be: weekly retail spending was up nearly 6% YoY, and restaurant reservations – […]

Lowe’s and The Home Depot . . .

Weathering Q1 Storms and Looking to the Horizon One always wonder how these mega hardware stores are doing in a not-so-great economy. I suspect the tariffs will impact some of the products. If anything, the on and off tariffs, 10% one day and 20% a week later must throw their planning off. Pay less and […]

Changing Cost Environment and Frustration

Confronting the Cost-of-Living Crisis – Roosevelt Institute Perhaps, you remember during the pandemic the pricing of food did increase as businesses did slow down. I do not recall much missing from the food shelves either. There were small changes in packaging which did impact pricing in that you paid the same amount for less. The […]

The rebalancing of the housing market continues, as existing home price increases have halted, and inventory finally exceeds 2020 levels

  – by New Deal democrat The housing market, for all of its economic importance, tends to move as slow as molasses. This is especially true as to prices, where sellers are loathe to realize a loss, even when compared to hypothetical gains they could have had by selling earlier. The pandemic, of course, through […]

Don’t blame capitalism!

The one-handed economist I don’t know when this trend started, but it’s now with tiresome regularity that I hear students and adults (adults!) blame capitalism for many sins: poverty, environmental destruction, corrupt politics, the housing “crisis”, failing health/educational systems, and so on. Do the sins of one capitalist company condemn the whole system? Condemn all […]

If you Have Not Experienced it yet? Expect Slower Mail Delivery

This commentary by Steve Hutkins outlines the plan Louis Dejoy put in place as the US Postmaster General. I am not too sure where the plan is at in actions at this time. If you are experiencing slower mail delivery, then it has been implemented in your area. Citified areas are less likely to experience […]

Tr__p Tariffs, Manufacturing, and Labor – Farm Equipment

“John Deere Maintains Profits and Shareholder Value by Whacking Labor,” Angry Bear August 13, 2024 and Kevin Baskins at the Des Moines Register reports on the Deere & Company layoffs across the state of Iowa. Layoffs happen when the economy turns down, companies make mistakes, or when a new competitor hits the market. Just about anything can […]