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

Men Are Falling Behind in Education

One piece argues it is Globalization. Such has led to the decline of traditionally male-dominated industries (e.g. in the auto and construction industries). It left many young men feeling adrift. Another piece says men are falling behind in Education. If you read New Deal democrat, you will know service level jobs make up a larger […]

Three important fundamentals-based indicators of the consumer economy: are they turning?

– by New Deal democrat Today is one day of quiet before a slew of updated statistics, including the November jobs and inflation reports, are to be reported next week (it is unclear whether others originally scheduled for next week, like building permits and starts, will also be updated). There was some housing and rental inventory […]

Tennesseans are weird

I grew up in Tennessee, but since graduating from UT-Knoxpatch, I’ve only returned a few times for special occasions. A recent poll says that 61% rate the state’s economy as “very” or “fairly good,” and 53% feel things in Tennessee are going in the “right direction.” Which direction is the right direction? “According to the […]

Republicans still Working Hard to Gain a Tax Cut at the Expense of a Million or so People

Quick update on what is going on with healthcare for citizens. Republicans are still working hard to cut healthcare benefits to 1.5 to 2 million citizens. Let’s not forget the reasoning for doing so. Tru_p’s tax cuts to the upper 1 or so percent of the population not needing a tax cut need a balance. […]

Q3 employment costs: probably the “least positive” since the pandemic

 – by New Deal democrat The employment cost index, which was updated this morning through Q3, typically gets much less attention than the monthly payrolls report. But in this circumstance it is entitled to more notice, since the monthly data has only been posted through September as well. Additionally, one important advantange of the Employment Cost […]

Increasing 2026 ACA Market Place Premiums

“How much and why ACA Marketplace Premiums are going up in 2026?” Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker Health insurers submit rate filings annually to state regulators detailing expectations and rate changes for Affordable Care Act (ACA)-regulated health plans for the coming year. A relatively small, but growing, share of the population is enrolled in these plans (compared […]

Just How Many Immigrants are in the United States?

If we are going to chase or discuss undocumented residents, we should at least know the numbers of them. The word immigrants includes US citizens and undocumented residents. Some more data: “How many immigrants are coming to the US?” USAFacts. A report from 2023. “Statistics on unauthorized US immigration and US border crossings by year,” […]

October JOLTS report: red flag warning for employment sector in worst report since the pandemic

– by New Deal democrat This morning’s JOLTS report for October is now the most current official monthly indicator for the jobs sector. And it was emphatically not good. In fact, it was red flag recessionary. In the past year, in contrast to much other data in the jobs sector, the JOLTS reports had been very […]

What Happens When the GriNch Steals Healthcare?

As taken from “Who Will Pay If ACA Tax Credits Lapse?” A commentary out of MedCity News which speaks to the issue of losing subsidies. The Republicans are the instigators in blocking healthcare subsidies for up to 700-800% FPL for citizens. They must have some serious IOUs tucked away to carry them above and beyond […]