Archive for the 'Economics Lessons' Category

‘Republican’ resurgence comes from shift in 65-85 year old group

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

American Conservative Magazine considers who is feeling the the new anger against ‘liberals’ from the Feb.17 Mt. Vernon statement of the Conservative statement of principles: One of the things that many people have noticed since the release of Mount Vernon statement on Wednesday is the sharp contrast between the youth of the creators (my link) of the Sharon statement and the notable absence of students and young people from the latest gathering

O.K., let’s just think about this budget thing for a while, Part I

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

To be sure, the U.S. government deficit is shocking; but it’s not anymore shocking than the recession through which we have all lived. Tax receipts plummeted (see the second chart from this post ) and spending on cyclical social programs (like unemployment benefits) is surging.

Another link:

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Since we are on the topic of men, business, and regulations, Yves Smith points us to a relevent avenue for thought: Indefensible Men .

Topical thread: Cash, checks, plastic, and online

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

On the right is a poll put up by the San Francisco FED that I translated to here. I personally use cash and checks to monitor my emotional response to spending, which can become numb using all credit card purchases

Topical thread: Regulators could have prevented AIG collapse?

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Rdan here…Our loyal opposition Reader Sammy sends along this in your face question: Regulators could have prevented AIG collapse. Really?

Numerical Illiteracy

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Robert Waldmann Jonathan Chait has a very good article on Paul Ryan in The New Republic.

Open thread: March 12, 2009

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Perfect Babies and C-Section Complaints

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Perfect Babies and C-Section Complaints Some issues are like spring flowers, always returning. The “too many C-Sections” debate is recurring again, raising issues of cost and clinical judgment (some women want sections for cosmetic reasons).

Geithner and EU regulation of derivatives

Friday, March 12th, 2010

“Mr Geithner warns that US hedge funds, private equity groups and banks could be discriminated against if proposals to restrict the access of EU investors to funds based outside the 27-country bloc are included in the final law.” Geithner Warns of Rift Over Regulation as declared over this: “Germany and France on Wednesday called on the European Union to consider banning speculative trading in credit default swaps and set up a compulsory register of derivatives trading.” Call For Ban ON CDS Speculation Once again Geithner has shown whose interests are more important. It certainly isn’t Main Street when it comes to exports/imports. God forbid, some other country begin to regulate Wall Street though!

Extending temporary tax breaks passed

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

by Linda Beale JCT scoring of Obama budget; Senate vote on extending temporary tax breaks Harry Reid’s office announced that the final vote on the “American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (HR 4213), which will extend $31 billion in temporary tax breaks will take place on Wednesday Mar 10 (at the request of the GOP). The Senators voted today to cut off debate (66-34) and let the vote take place