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

A Perspective: One Evening at the Democratic National Convention August 20, 2024

by Prof. Heather Cox Richardson The Democratic National Committee today released a platform that lays out the history of the last four years and explains how and why the Biden-Harris administration has oriented the United States government toward ordinary Americans. It is in many ways a snapshot of the United States of America in this […]

Warren Taking on CNBC Host Joe Kernen on Price Gouging

Goldratt’s “The Goal” talks about throughput at any cost (if need be). More or less a business novel preaching insightful truth. Productivity is the act of bringing a company closer towards its goal. If the company’s goal is to make money, then we should focus on increasing throughput, decreasing inventory, and decreasing operational expenses. At […]

New and existing home sales for July: the rebalancing is underway

 – by New Deal democrat I figured this month I would report on new and existing home sales at the same time, since they have been reported only one day apart. I have been looking for a rebalancing of the market between the two, which means *relatively* more existing vs. new home sales, firming in new […]

The false dichotomy of climate change remediation

The false dichotomy of climate change remediation Years ago, I had a Facebook friend from my hometown who was a big enthusiast of molten salt nuclear reactor technology. He wasn’t a scientist or engineer, but his dad had worked on MSRs in the ‘60s, and he fetishized his dad’s memory. As some point, I mentioned […]

UAW files federal labor charges against Donald Trump and Elon Musk

Who is the bigger scab? In an interview with Musk, Trump appeared to endorse firing striking workers. The United Auto Workers Union has filed federal labor charges against former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the union said Tuesday. In a thread on X, the union said Trump and Musk had illegally attempted to “threaten and […]

CMS ramps up suspensions of health insurance agents registered with HealthCare.gov

CMS finally clamping down on agents plan switching, assigning existing enrollees to themselves. CMS requires agents seeking to act on an existing account with a different Agent of Record or with no AOR to: – either conduct a three-way call with the client and the marketplace center. The client authorizes the new agent to act […]

As the Debby effect dissipates, initial claims remain positive for the economy

 – by New Deal democrat For the last several months, jobless claims have been buffeted first by unresolved post-pandemic seasonality, and then also by the effect of Hurricane Debby on claims in Texas. The first is now abating, and the second has ended, as this week claims in Texas declined to their typical level last […]

Kroger Engages in Theater – Kabuki Style

“Kabuki is a form of classical theater in Japan known for its elaborate costumes and dynamic acting. Phrases such as Kabuki theater, kabuki dance, or kabuki play are sometimes used in political discourse to describe an event characterized more by showmanship than by content.” Maybe I am wrong in calling it such. The style of play occurring between the two companies […]

Healthcare Costs Expected to Surge at Highest Rate in 15 Years

Forecast of commercial healthcare costs to come in 2025 (MedCity report), what has occurred in the past, and what is expected beyond 2025. Meanwhile Congress is twiddling their thumbs arguing amongst themselves over what is more important to their existence . . . constituents or big business. Interesting too, how the Sadlers are getting themselves […]