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

Cash, Debit Card, or Credit Card

“Jugging or bank jugging” refers to a type of crime where individuals are targeted after making cash with-drawals from banks or other financial institutions. The criminals, known as “juggers,” follow victims to a second location and then rob them, often using force or threats.  I always tell family, be aware of what is around you when […]

Tampering with the Department of Education

The funding was already been allocated by Congress for July 1, 2024. The Department of Education has taken it upon themselves to withhold those funds already allocated and approved for disbursement for July 1. Former WWW executive and now Department Secretary of Education Linda E. McMahon has taken it upon herself to withhold the funding. […]

100 years after Scopes, creationists won’t let go

The death knell for creationism was sounded in the 19th century, with the recognition of an ancient earth and Darwin’s Origin of Species showing that all life on earth is related by descent. A particular obsession of creationists is the idea that humans and apes descended from a common ancestor. With the advent of protein […]

“Robin-Hood-in-reverse” policies

A partial of a much longer piece by Bruce Lesley. Health and food policies for low-income people and families will suffer under Tr__p’s take from the poor and give to the rich, the richest 10% of the nation in income. There is always day-old cake or bread to be had if they shop the corporate […]

Not Accepting Federal Funding to Prevent Appearing as Being Bought by the Feds

Federal Funding and Politics, and Safety? When does the latter out-weigh the former? A Texas county devastated by deadly flooding earlier this month had rejected federal funds in 2021. Funds that could have helped install a flood warning system. However, local officials and residents were arguing they didn’t want to be “bought” by the Biden administration. As far back as […]

Trump threatens EU and Mexico with higher consumption taxes on Americans

Trump is counting on his base not understanding that tariffs are a consumption tax. They make imported goods more expensive and allow domestic producers to jack up their prices by relieving competition. “[Douglas Holtz-Eakin] added that Trump was using the letters to demand attention, but, “In the end, these are letters to other countries about […]

The People vs Wealth

I don’t know much about New York City, but I do know that the upcoming NYC election will be about democracy vs wealth, the people vs wealth; about whether wealthy interests or the people govern.  How do I know this?  Because, ever since our Declaration of Independence and Constitution threw off the tyrannies of monarchies […]

New Deal democrats Weekly Indicators July 7-11

– by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. Despite the warning signs in some of the recent monthly data that I’ve highlighted in the past several weeks, the high frequency data this past week indicated smooth sailing, at least for now. Some of that is likely due to the 4th of […]

Dollars, deficits and debt

David Zetland, The one-handed economist The US dollar (USD) is the world’s currency of exchange, debt investment, and reserve currency. These different roles are often merged in our heads because they’ve been synonymous for decades, but the wheels are falling off and those roles — I think — will unbundle. I’m going to explain, but […]