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

Time for Clarity: Income vs Cost & the Six Approaches to ‘fixing’ Social Security

by Bruce Webb Over the next couple of days I’ll be rolling out what I am tentatively calling the Northwest Plan for Fixing Social Security, ‘Northwest’ because the three current contributers happen to live in the Pacific Northwest. But before doing so I want to lay out some of the conceptual differences underlying various discussions […]

Oil Prices

By Spencer, What is causing the rise in oil prices? Part of it is that $30 oil in December was most likely too low, and as the world economy and oil demand bottomed, oil prices should have also bottomed. OK, that should explain oil in the $30 -$50 range. I expected to see oil bounce […]

Social Security Report Release: Tues May 12th; plus the Gathering Storm

by Bruce Webb The 2009 Report of the Trustees of Social Security will be released late in the afternoon on Tuesday the 12th. Reports from all years are available starting from this page Reports from the Board of Trustees or you can view the HTML, download the PDF, or order a paper copy of the […]

Inspector General report, Dept. of Ed.

rdan Inspector General report for higher education loan programs and bankers was just published. Another story of another regulatory body being misdirected and limited in its duties.

WAGES IN THE EMPLOYMENT REPORT

By Spencer, Sorry, I have been tied up with other things and have not done my usual charts on the employment report. Others seem to be doing a pretty good job. But I would like to point out the issue that seems to be overlooked by everyone.That is the point that we are now starting […]

Miscellaneous

rdan 100 awesome blogs by some of the world’s smartest people from Online Univerities. I have to smile just before I go to the rat race this morning. MiscellaneousFrom these blogs, you’ll find expert information about the Air Force, UFOs and more. 98. UFO Hunters: The History Channel’s UFO hunters are experts in their niche […]

The End of the Recession – A Follow-Up

by cactus The End of the Recession – A Follow-Up In December, I wrote a post (which through a mixup went up in early January) about the end of the recession, stating this: Specifically, I expect it before the second half of next year. I’m actually hedging my bets here – my gut tells me […]

CBO Presentation to the Social Security Advisory Board

by Bruce Webb These figures show graphically what the recession has done to Social Security’s medium term outlook. Answer? Not much.. A near term dip in income is never fully recovered in dollar terms. A DI ‘Primary Surplus’ heading for zero got there a little faster. Does any of this add up to rushing to […]

James Galbraith remarks

rdan Texas Observer carries commentary that is revealing. Editor’s note: These remarks were delivered to a meeting of the Texas Lyceum in Austin on April 3, at a debate between University of Texas professor James Galbraith, an Observer contributing writer, and former Majority Leader Richard Armey, chief instigator of the recent Astroturf “tea party” protests. […]