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

DOGE puts dollars over veterans

I recall a time when the GOP posed as the staunch defenders of America’s military, including military veterans. But Republicans have stopped saluting veterans and save their salutes for tax cuts. “The Veterans Affairs Department is planning to lay off tens of thousands of employees throughout its organization later this year, according to an internal […]

Trump & Musk Families Saving Billions From Republican Tax Plans?

It sure looks like this is the plan according to Americans for Tax Fairness. If one of the expiring provisions–lower individual tax rates – were instead extended, Trump could have an extra and ~ $2.7 million in his pocket over 10 years. And that is a modest estimate by the Tax Fairness Group. An extension […]

Balance of Payments Primer, Part II

A follow up to Part I. Brief Intro: The international role of the dollar and how it does or doesn’t affect the U.S. balance of payments. Paul throws in some discussion on the foundational fallacies underlying Trump officials beliefs on trade. “A Balance of Payments Primer, Part II: The Dollar and All That“ – by […]

Why I am Not Concerned by February increase in Core PCE inflation

 – by New Deal democrat The deluge of new monthly data starts tomorrow. Today there’s no significant data, so let me follow up on a point from Friday’s personal income and spending report. I never look to see what others are saying before I finish my own analysis, because I want to be as unbiased as […]

GOP budget flummery

Duncan Black over at Eschaton posts: “One possibility I haven’t seen raised elsewhere is that Trump intends to announce massive tariffs lasting years, the Republicans will “book” this revenue when they do their budget bill, cut taxes on rich people accordingly, and then just erase (some of) the tariffs. “Some budget shenanigans are above my […]

The Trump measles pandemic continues to grow

“As of March 27, 2025, a total of 483 confirmed* measles cases were reported by 20 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.” Meanwhile, leaders at the CDC ordered staff this week not […]

State Comparisons of Student Loans Balances to State Budget etc,

No words. Just numbers . . . Student Loan Justice Org. I lied . . . some words. The first, oldest and largest citizen’s group in the nation fighting for student loan justice (Alan Collinge).  We are fighting for the cancellation of all federally owned student loans by executive action, and the return of bankruptcy […]