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

Forget about the Epstein files

Trump announced he’ll sign a bill demanding the release of the Epstein file, something the White House has resisted for months. But if that’s the case, why doesn’t he just release them all now and dispense with legislation? BWAHAHAHAhahahaha!!! Did you fall for that one? “In his social media post suddenly declaring he didn’t care […]

August factory orders rebounded from early summer lows

As with yesterday, the good news is that important official economic data is being reported again. The bad news is that it is very stale, as in covering last August. – by New Deal democrat Still, one important area that private data did not cover well during the shutdown was orders and spending on durable goods, […]

U.S. Citizens Wishing to Leave the US

Another commentary on people who would leave the United States. A Vice article on November 9th. I am not going to post it and I will supply the link. Not a terribly long commentary “America’s biggest export might soon be its own citizens according to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America 2025 survey. Sixty-three percent (63%) […]

August construction spending: strong nominal headline masks neutral real trend in the deep rear view mirror

 – by New Deal democrat The good news is, with the end of the government shutdown, economic data reporting resumed this morning. The bad news is, we are now in the latter part of November, and the construction spending report issued this morning was for all the way back in August. In fact, the last time […]

Healthcare Spending

Spending on Healthcare as a Part of GDP I realize I’m being impolite (Dean Baker), but we’re facing fascism and the NYT is saying things are clearly untrue and very detrimental to those of us who care about democracy. A piece on the problem of healthcare costs in the United States told readers: “The Affordable […]

A Booming Economy and Lower Prices?

Trump claimed last week on social media that “Our economy is BOOMING, and Costs are coming way down,” and that “grocery prices are way down.” Rubbish. How do I know he’s lying? Official government statistics haven’t been issued during the shutdown — presumably to Trump’s relief (the White House said Wednesday that the October jobs […]

The art of no deal

Trump screwed his farm belt voters with his China tariffs. While China had been a reliable buyer of American soybeans, it retaliated by buying Brazilian soybeans instead. Brazil is expected to have a record soybean harvest next year. Recently, Trump announced a “deal” in which China would resume American soybean purchases. “A U.S. Department of […]

Jobless claims continue slightly elevated YoY

 – by New Deal democrat Hopefully for the last time . . . As I have done since the beginning of the government shutdown, the unadjusted number of initial and continuing claims can be calculated based on reporting by the States, plus DC, and Puerto Rico. Then, by applying the same adjustment as was used for […]