lifted from comments, written by reader Jack Tom said: “Some of the reported sales methods sound like they’re somewhere between ‘bullshit promises’ and mild deception. Then again, it’s car dealers on the other end of the transactions.” “I probably shouldn’t underestimate Congress’s inclination to protect those undeserving of protection, but remember these are car salesmen, […]

by reader ilsm A lot of debate going on about the 2010 defense budget in general and the national missile defense programs in specific. The administration is cutting the star war fantasy drill by $1.6B from what some think was needed. I found a quote Center for Defense information from a Lt Gen Campbell: “On […]

rdan Bears will be tackling different aspects of the debate, one of which is the Mass Health Plan (watching Kennedy’s office) and other states. Basic plans and costs, decreasing the numbers of uninsured, dealing with the cost structures and power centers in the state, quality of care and such will be examined. Below is one […]

This is my first official posting on Angry Bear. Let me start with a “thanks and delighted to be here.” I look forward to a productive interchange and expansion of the work I have been doing through ataxingmatter, my blog on tax and economic issues. I will continue to maintain the tax blog, and post […]

Come on, guys, somebody take it to the Next Step. Matt Y comes closer than anyone else to getting to the truth of the problem with Macroeconomics. Following Justin FoxSteven Levitt’s summary, Matt asks the next question: So why should it be that “in the current regime, if [macro models] are not meticulously constructed from […]

There is a brilliant moment in the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer where Giles explains to Willow that his problem with computers is “their smell.” She replies, roughly, “But they have no smell.” “Exactly. And smell is one of the most important senses there is.” Apparently, with a hat tip to The New […]

BY SPENCER The employment report appears to report that the rate of job loss is moderating and provides encouraging evidence that the economy probably is not falling as rapidly as it has been. But the evidence is not that clear cut. Payroll employment reported a 345,000 drop in employment, a significantly smaller loss than in […]

by cactus Following up my post earlier this week on abortion, I was thinking about some of the comments left by readers and I decided to follow a simple thought experiment. I was thinking about what happens when parents split up and one gets custody of the kids – usually the other is required to […]

“100 Tanks Along the Square, One Man Stands and Stops Them There” Update: Rdan here…an update from The Economist