My Thoughts I am not sure what Prof. Dean means by elites. Was looking for an explanation. It may have zoomed by me if it is not obviously called out. In the beginning of his commentary, we read of declining population in China. The makeup of the population is older. Been there numerous times going from plant to plant and working with my counterparts there. Marvelous country to explore with the assistance of my associates there. Making the leap...
Read More »— Rents —
In March, 2022, Pew Research released a study showing that in 2020, 23% of Americans spent more than half their income on rent. Since then, rents in most parts of the country have gone up 16% (because they could). Safe to say, the income of those 23% did not go up 16%. Rent increases play a major role in the current round of inflation. Though the percentage of increase in rent (inflation) was greater than most other items; the media has said...
Read More »Despite sharp rebounds in retail sales and manufacturing production, both metrics are on the cusp of being recessionary
Despite sharp rebounds in retail sales and manufacturing production, both metrics are on the cusp of being recessionary – by New Deal democrat Retail sales for January rose strongly in January,up 30% in nominal terms and up 2.4% after accounting for inflation. While that looks great, it only reverses the two downward readings of November and December, and is similar to the reversal last January. This makes me think that there is unresolved...
Read More »Ford’s Old and New Manufacturing Troubles Deepen Fast
I believe Ford reported $2.2 billion in losses in 2022 writing down the value of two big investments, struggling with high costs, and also supply chain problems. In 2023, there is still going to be volatility on chips, On the older chips used in the auto industry, there is still capacity constraint.” I also can’t image funding two different teams, one for EVs and the other for gasoline vehicles is helping either. Ford’s Troubles Deepen Fast,...
Read More »Inflation is decelerating substantially towards the Fed target ADDENDUM: the huge impact of shelter
Measured by actual rather than fictitious prices, inflation is decelerating substantially towards the Fed target ADDENDUM: the huge impact of shelter – by New Deal democrat For the last year, consumer prices have mainly been about two things: (1) the huge rise, and then fall, in gas prices; and (2) the phantom menace of owner’s equivalent rent (OER) dragging shelter prices higher, even as actual house prices peaked, and new rental...
Read More »Students ask “How Many More?”
“This will be a national story for about 48 hours. Those folks will swoop in, leave and move on. It’ll be an MSU story, part of our community story, forever. And, for some, a new fear and a loss of peace will be part of it.“ After the 48 hours passes? Similar to the other shooting stories, this story will also be thrown on top of all the other stories of shootings. “Michigan State shooter stole lives and peace of mind,”...
Read More »CSX agrees to Sick Leave for BMWED, BRC, IAM, NCFO Unions
I saw the announcement up at Infidel753 Blog in his Link Roundup for February 12th. I am using Railway Age for the news of the settlement between CSX and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC) on February 7. On February 10, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO) also reached agreement with...
Read More »The #1 likely reason I suspect the economy has not gone into recession yet
The #1 likely reason I suspect the economy has not gone into recession yet – by New Deal democrat I’ve been reading increasing talk about the fabled “soft landing,” or alternatively, “rolling recession.” For example, over the weekend Liz Ann Sonders of Schwab told “Wall Street Week” that housing is already in a recession, but the larger services side of the economy was still in good shape. Let me start out by noting that the goods side of...
Read More »Kung Fu Monkey has a positive view of Republicans in Congress
The long shadow of apartheid
As Economist David Zetland states, “I’m a political-economist from California who now lives in Amsterdam.” AB: I passed through Amsterdam a few times on my way to Germany. Not a huge fan of the airport. I wish I had the chance to explore the country a bit more like I did other parts of Europe. Not in the cards then. David has an interesting commentary on race, separation, the history of discrimination, and the economic impact of it. It...
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