The First Trump Term, Economic Indicators Edition

Some comparative data.

Fascist Side Trips: Tucker Carlson Edition

Unreality and sexual anxiety on display.

Jobs Americans Won’t Do

Our immigration policy is out of sync with our economy.

Defining and Discussing Fascism (Part I)

And yes, Trump fits the definitions all too well.

The Violence Inherent in the System

Things may well get ugly regardless of the outcome of November’s election.

The Economy is Better Than it Feels

Why public attitudes are lagging real world performane.

Trump Likely Committed $100 Million Tax Fraud

Shady accounting practices from well before he entered politics are coming back to bite him in the ass.

Age Inversion in American Politics?

Suddenly, old voters are aligning Democrat and young ones Republican.

Who The Hell is Dean Phillips?

It’s quite the week for politicians with generic names nobody has ever heard of.

A Foreign Policy Election?

A competent leader versus a lunatic would seem an easy choice. Alas.

When Does A University Stop Being a University?

West Virginia University may be the canary in the coal mine.

President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine about the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel. President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine about the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Warsaw Marriott Hotel.

SVC, Bank Contagion, and Government Action

The Biden administration had little choice but to act.

Gen Z Doesn’t Want Crappy Jobs!

The silliness of “generations.”

What’s the Pattern for Senate Seats in Mid-Terms?

Looking at past Senate elections and some more thoughts on historical patterns.

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Economists Expect Recession Created By Economists

The Fed is expected to stall the economy to fight inflation.

Why is Inflation So High?

The economy, it turns out, is complicated.

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Who’s Middle and Upper Class in America Today?

The numbers don’t match the perception.

Public Schools vs The Public

The pandemic seems to have broken the social contract.

Harry Reid, 1939-2021

The longtime Senate leader is gone at 82.

10 Million Jobs, 8.4 Million Unemployed

A series of mismatches mean would-be workers can’t find employment despite an abundance of openings.

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America Getting Less White

The long demographic trend continues.

Douthat Misses the Point on Hungary

Hungary is part of a broader global trend, but the real issue isn’t Hungary, it is the Americans who praise Hungary.

Student Debt and the For-Profit Connection

The loaners, the dreamers, and schemes.

How Much Student Loan Relief?

Now, we’re just haggling over price.

A Weird Re-election Pitch

Usually candidates don’t talk about how bad things are across the country while appealing to be re-elected.

Comparative Approval Ratings

Is Trump really an outlier?

President Donald J. Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Friday, July 10, 2020, en route to Miami International Airport in Miami President Donald J. Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Friday, July 10, 2020, en route to Miami International Airport in Miami

Dissatisfied

Will we ever be satisfied?

I Have Seen the Future of Work and it Sucks

A world in which we’re all contractors is a dystopian utopia.

62% of Americans Afraid to Share Political Views

An interesting if frustrating new survey from Cato.

US Unemployment at Record Highs

More Americans are out of work than at any time since the Great Depression.

COVID-19 Has Killed More Americans than 9/11

We’re passing grim milestones on a daily basis.

$2 Trillion Relief Deal Reached

Finally.

President Donald J. Trump listens to a reporter’s question during the coronavirus (COVID-19) update briefing Sunday, March 22, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) President Donald J. Trump listens to a reporter’s question during the coronavirus (COVID-19) update briefing Sunday, March 22, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Trump Torn on COVID-19 Measures

The President tweeted, “We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.”

Trump Speaks on Coronavirus…

…and confusion (and a further market tumble) ensues.

Tom Hanks Infected with COVID-19

Is this our Rock Hudson moment?

Worse Than 9/11 and the Great Recession Combined

The greatest crisis the nation has faced in my lifetime.

Stocks Plummet Amid Coronavirus and Oil Fears

Trading has resumed after an early plunge triggered automatic suspension.

November Job Growth Beats Expectations

November saw much higher jobs growth than economic analysts were expecting, but it could just be a statistical blip.

Trade Deficit Increases Under Trump’s Watch

After more than a year of Trump’s trade war, the trade deficit, which he promised to reduce, has increased.

October Jobs Report Beats Expectations, But Still Comes In As Anemic

October’s jobs report came back better than expected but hardly something to cheer.

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No, The Republican Tax Cuts Aren’t ‘Paying For Themselves’

Contrary to the promises of December 2017, the Republican tax cuts are not paying for themselves. Instead, they are helping lead us to trillion-dollar deficits.

Federal Budget Deficit Ends Fiscal Year Just Shy Of $1 Trillion

Don’t worry folks, we’ll make it past that mark quite easily over the course of the new Fiscal Year.

Disappointing Jobs Growth For September

A somewhat disappointing jobs report for September.

Signs Of Economic Slowdown Tied To Trump’s Trade Policies

From manufacturing to trade, the negative impact of Trump’s tariffs is becoming quite apparent.

Trump And The GOP Have Continually Lied About The Budget Deficit And The Economy

President Trump and the Republican Party have spent the last three years lying about the Federal budget deficit and the economy.

Republicans Think They Can Win Back The House By Focusing On The Deficit And Health Care

Despite having utterly mishandled both areas when they actually held power, Republicans think they can win back the House of Representatives by focusing on the budget deficit and health care reform.

Welcome Back To The World Of Trillion-Dollar Deficits

As predicted, the Federal Budget Deficit has crossed the threshold back into the world of trillion-dollar deficits. This is all due to the hypocrisy of Republicans and so-called conservatives.

August Jobs Report Falls Below Expectations At +130,000 New Jobs

The August Jobs Report came in below expectations as other economic statistics point to a slowing economy.

Don’t Politicize The Federal Reserve.

A former Federal Reserve officials argues that the Fed should not lower interest rates to compensate for the impact of the President’s trade war, potentially leading to his defeat in the election. This is an incredibly bad idea.