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

U.S. Manufacturing Can Be the Foundation of Economic Strength and Innovation

Brief rundown on how manufacturing has evolved over the past 40 years. Moving from solely Labor to less Labor at a higher value. One worker at a CNC machine can do the manufacturing of multiple workers at separate stations performing one or two functions. Lower Labor cost, faster throughput, and a promise of less inventory […]

Deaf culture

Years ago, I was course director for a first-year medical school course on genetics and molecular biology. I was and am still an enthusiast for problem-based learning (PBL). Together with an MD colleague, I wrote up a case on hereditary deafness. It was through this process that I learned about deaf culture and the conflicts […]

Weighing Regional Fed Services Surveys, the sketch emerges of an economy on the cusp of stagflationary recession

 – by New Deal democrat As I’ve reiterated several times this month, the two items of information I am paying the most attention to in the absence of official federal economic data are the Regional Fed Banks and the ISM, for both of their manufacturing and services reports. I should add that earlier this week […]

Don’t tread on me, tread on them

Ladies and gentlemen, your GOP nanny state: “House Republicans are exploring ways to prevent Zohran Mamdani from ever being sworn in as mayor even if he prevails in Tuesday’s election by using the Constitution’s “insurrection clause,” The Post has learned. “The New York Young Republican Club is pushing to prevent the NYC mayoral frontrunner from […]

October Regional Feds’ summary of the goods producing economy: growth, but with strong inflation and almost nonexistent job growth

 – by New Deal democrat With the shutdown of almost all economic statistics from the federal government, one of the most important remaining sources is the Fed and its regional banks. All 5 of them that publish manufacturing and services reports have now done so. Which means that we have a decent placeholder proxy for […]

In the Last Three Years, Americans Feel Worse Off

Keep in mind much of the issue during the last four years pre-Tru_p was the result of Covid and the stimulus packages put in place to help Americans. Many companies took advantage of government loans which were later forgiven. Others took advantage of a Covid economy by increasing prices in various manner such as packaging. […]

Delays in ACA Healthcare Insurance Pricing

I have been looking around for more information, accurate information on the forthcoming increases in ACA healthcare insurance costs. I have yet to find something accurate. There is a lot of speculation or forecasting. Nothing solid right now. Best place to read (I read him also) is Charles Gaba @ ACA Signups. ~~~~~~~ Republicans blame […]

Donating to Trump’s White House East Wing Demolition

Much of this might not be so bad if Tru_p had any taste for architecture. I suspect the Beverly Hill Billies might have better architectural taste than our president. Probably best to get used to it and correct it after he is gone. ~~~~~~~ “I Asked My Cellphone Service Provider T-Mobile What the Deal Was […]

Rising Prices and Costs from Tariffs are Impacting Inflation

Most of us have read about tariffs and rising prices. Coupled together a piece from The Economist and Robert Reich’s latest. “Trump’s impact on the economy and the nation? The damage from the tariffs that are in place is starting to be felt. The collapse in migration is an enormous and underappreciated shock to the economy. […]