There's a lot of blogging going on today about the economy, and here is another good piece, from Matthew Yglesias. He points to the conservative fear that once spending programs are put into place, they will never be dismantled. The liberal/progressive response to that, of course (or at least the one that comes immediately to mind) is, Why should they be? What's so funny 'bout … [Read more...] about It Works Both Ways
Obama Economic Team Seeks Scapegoats
Obamanomics has now clearly failed. The reason is easy to understand. Obamanomics is just a replay of Clintonomics,with many of the same people calling the shots. Obama-Clintonomics was based on puffing up Wall Street investment banks every way imaginable, thus encouraging them to rig the stock market upwards, so as to jolly up the rubes on Main Street, who would be so giddy … [Read more...] about Obama Economic Team Seeks Scapegoats
A Mania for Short-Term Profits Is Inhibiting Long-Term Growth
Yves Smith and Rob Parenteau make an interesting argument on the op-ed pages of the New York Times today. If I'm understanding them correctly, they are pushing back on the prevailing view that deficit-cutting austerity programs are the path to economic growth -- in other words, spending, not saving, is the key to solving our economic woes. This is not, obviously, an unfamiliar … [Read more...] about A Mania for Short-Term Profits Is Inhibiting Long-Term Growth
A Blogger’s Worst Nightmare
When someone hacks into your Blogspot account, what recourse do you have if nobody at Google will speak to you? As horrifying as it would be to have your credit card stolen and used by someone to make unauthorized purchases, at least you can take refuge in the fact that your credit card company likely has a customer service number -- perhaps one available 24/7 -- that you … [Read more...] about A Blogger’s Worst Nightmare
Deficit Reduction Requires Cuts in Military Spending
Did you know that the United States has spent $700 billion in Iraq since the war began -- on direct military costs alone? … [Read more...] about Deficit Reduction Requires Cuts in Military Spending
‘Double-Dealing’ America Should Avoid Yellow Sea: China Daily, People’s Republic of China
No one who's been paying attention these past few years could have failed to notice the increasingly strident challenge Beijing is mounting against the U.S. over issues that Washington and the Pentagon once considered sacrosanct. Once such topic is American surveillance of Chinese military activity. According to this warning shot across America's bow from the … [Read more...] about ‘Double-Dealing’ America Should Avoid Yellow Sea: China Daily, People’s Republic of China
Justice Sues Arizona In Immigration Law Turf Battle
The Justice Department filed suit as promised Tuesday against Arizona claiming the state's anti-illegal immigrant law is invalid under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution and must be struck down.” Arizona's Senate Bill 1070 is scheduled to become effective July 31. The Justice Department's next step is seeking an injunction to block its enforcement. The … [Read more...] about Justice Sues Arizona In Immigration Law Turf Battle
What If?
Now that Dave Weigel is no longer employed by the Washington Post, Matthew Yglesias points to a hypothetical scenario proposed by David Carr at the New York Times (emphasis is in original): … [Read more...] about What If?
Has White House Fallen for “Confidence” Argument?
Paul Krugman thinks it's possible: … [Read more...] about Has White House Fallen for “Confidence” Argument?
Few Political Bloggers Run For Office – Let’s Fix That
Some of my co-bloggers here might roll their eyes if I'd indicated in that title that it continues to appear to be true that I'm in fact the only female political blogger who has run for and won elected office (Pepper Pike City Council) just because I emphasize the where are the women thing a lot. I get it, promise. But the truth is, hardly any political bloggers of either … [Read more...] about Few Political Bloggers Run For Office – Let’s Fix That
No Pain, No Gain Is Not Good Economics
David Brooks' column today is 828 words of pompous supply-side drivel. Paul Krugman takes just 207 words to demolish it (bold emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about No Pain, No Gain Is Not Good Economics
Stimulate This, The Professor Tells Obama
There's a former White House policy adviser in the Carter and Clinton administrations who says President Obama can bypass Congress on additional stimulus efforts by the stroke of his pen. If I understand this law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, an executive order to compliant federal contractors would improve wages and job standards that would set an … [Read more...] about Stimulate This, The Professor Tells Obama
Are We Really Less Free Under Obama?
It is an article of faith among most conservatives that the growth of government under the presidency of Barack Obama has resulted in a loss of individual liberty. This is an extremely serious criticism of any president and the manner in which the charge is so casually tossed about by my friends on the right makes me uneasy. A deeper examination of the subject is necessary in … [Read more...] about Are We Really Less Free Under Obama?
Democrats Face Wall Street Backlash: Retreat of the Democratic Party’s Wall Street Donors
If you made a political film now about campaign 2010 one title could be "Retreat of the Democratic Party's Wall Street Donors" -- as news reports emerge revealing a 65 percent drop in Democratic Congressional fundraising operations from two years ago. If it had been 10 percent, or 20 percent it still would be a notable story, but 65 percent could quality as being in … [Read more...] about Democrats Face Wall Street Backlash: Retreat of the Democratic Party’s Wall Street Donors
Again
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Again
Brooks: Exercise Humility on Economic Measures
David Brooks chimes in on the tug-of-war between proponents of additional economic stimuli and those who advocate deficit reduction. Given my post on this subject last week, and the ensuing back-and-forth with readers, I found these lines from Mr. Brooks particularly compelling, clarifying ... and chastening. So you have your doubts, but you are practical. You want to … [Read more...] about Brooks: Exercise Humility on Economic Measures
“The Heartless, the Clueless, and the Confused”
The first two groups are beyond the reach of compassion or reason, but Paul Krugman still holds out hope for the third, on the subject of extending unemployment benefits: … [Read more...] about “The Heartless, the Clueless, and the Confused”
Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?
From CNBC: … [Read more...] about Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?
What an Octopus’ Meal Can Tell Us about the World Cup
As one can imagine, those who predict, and place odds and bets on the World Cup semifinals and final winners are extremely busy these days. Serious fans and serious gamblers anxiously seek and mull and use the predictions and odds provided by reputable and not-so-reputable experts, odds makers and bookmakers. Millions--probably billions--will be won and lost by the time … [Read more...] about What an Octopus’ Meal Can Tell Us about the World Cup
Australia: Julia Gillard’s “Sustainable Population” Plan & Indian Students
Among the first few dramatic decisions taken by Australia's first woman prime minister Julia Gillard was to redesignate the 'Minister of Population' as 'Minister of Sustainable Population'. Soon the guessing game began. Does this change in name indicate less tolerance towards illegal boat people arriving in Australia, or generally aims to reduce the number of Asian people … [Read more...] about Australia: Julia Gillard’s “Sustainable Population” Plan & Indian Students