The Angry Bear

Coronavirus dashboard for December 7: the first winter wave of endemicity begins  – by New Deal democrat COVID is well on its way to becoming endemic, with a significant background level similar to what we have experienced in the last 8 months, and a surge during the winter months when people spend more time socializing together indoors. In that vein, it is apparent that, as expected, Thanksgiving get-togethers have triggered a new wave of...

This article by Dr. Adam Fein is drawn from the Drug Channels Institute. I can not say any of my knowledge is found in the detail of this recital. To summarize a bit as you read the detail, increases in rebates are associated with increases in list prices.  Insurance coverage, the sale of drugs to distributors, sold to drug stores, via Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers is complex. Dr. Adam Fein explains how it works. He presents a couple of charts...

Assorted topics this time. Consumerism was actually the first topic on the list of links in my In-Box. I am interested in seeing how the US negotiates with the Taiwanese on a new plant and what the US will do with Supply Chains. It is not as simple as what many people think. You should know how the product is made. The US is sorely lacking in Supply Chain planning. The expertise is concentrated in mathematics rather than on the floor actual...

Scenes from the November employment report: the short leading jobs indicators – by New Deal Democrat Every month as part of my post on the jobs report, I run through the changes in those measures which are short leading indicators for the economy. There were some significant developments in the past several months, so let’s take a closer look here. Here’s a historical look at temporary help services, residential construction jobs, and...

“States Should Use New Guidance to Stop Charging Parents for Foster Care, Prioritize Family Reunification,” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, cbpp.org, Diana Azevedo-McCaffrey. This article was referenced at “Mike’s Blog Round Up,” Crooks and Liars, by Batocchio, on October 22, 2022. The Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children & Families is allowing states to end the practice of charging parents for costs associated...

“Open thread Dec. 2, 2022,” Angry Bear angry bear blog Tags: open thread

New factory orders remain an economic bright spot  – by New Deal democrat New factory orders for October were reported this morning. I normally don’t write about them, because they are very noisy, but since at the moment they are one of the few bright spots among the short leading indicators, let’s take a look. Total new factory orders rose 1.0%. “Core” orders excluding defense and aircraft rose 0.6%: “Core” orders have been flat for 2...

Mourning The Late Jiang Zemin? Former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin died at age 96 on Nov. 30, curiously just as the worst outbreak of demonstrations to happen in China since 1989 happened, probably now come to an end, as China both suppresses them, arresting some people based on phones and visual surveillance, as well as some loosening in certain locations of the zero covid policy. Jiang came to power initially in the immediate wake of Tienanman...

Anne Lowrey at The Atlantic recognizes a shortage of housing overall and mostly in the cities. “The U.S. Needs More Housing Than Almost Anyone Can Imagine.” Just how many houses, what is the number? How many homes must the expensive coastal cities in the US build to become affordable for middle-class and the working-poor families? Over the past few weeks, Anne asks a number of housing experts that question. Anne expected a straightforward...

No one wants to pay more for energy at any time. No one wants the means for greater independence from foreign control, big business, wasteful practices which will involve them. The reality being, it is all about us. The thems of the world. ~~~~~~~~ “As taken from Michigan Radio/NPR; “Auchter’s Art: Not in my backyard,” michiganradio.org, John Auchter. On the way to Thanksgiving festivities last week near Flushing, my wife and I drove past...