The Angry Bear

by Rafael Nam NPR The American dollar has been soaring this year relative to most currencies in the world. That’s providing a lot of benefits to Americans — but it’s also creating a lot of pain. The strong dollar brings a number of advantages. It reinforces America’s economic dominance and it helps reduce inflation by making imports cheaper. But a rising dollar doesn’t lift all boats. Some exporters have been hit as the stronger domestic...

Kind of a rambling story here. What is going on? Investors are stripping the companies of their resources leaving bare bones so to speak. If you attempt to hold the prime investor responsible, the judges get in the way the same as we see SCOTUS Chief John Roberts becoming more involved and District Judge Cannon doing so under advisement of Justice Thomas. A report on the taking over of a chain of hospitals by private investors. The antagonist...

I just heard an advertisement for Kamala Harris in which she said she would raise taxes on the rich and cut taxes for the middle class. I was pleased. I note the empirical fact that, in years when the income tax is constitutional yet the top marginal tax rate is below 69%, nonincumbent Democrats are elected president if and only if they promise to raise taxes on high incomes and cut taxes for the middle class. I usually do not make predictions (I...

by Charles P. Pierce Esquire AZ State Senator Justine Wadsack thought she was privileged and a state cop calls her out with a ticket. SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts does the heavy lifting to save the orange one’s reputation. Small issue being the orange ones prompting of an insurrection. Robert would not compromise and why should he? He had the votes minus the three who would compromise. Charle Pierce discussing the state of affairs at...

Fun in Arizona somewhere in Tucson, AZ. One Senator believes it is ok to do 70 in a posted 35 mph area. While in office, the senator has immunity. Legislative immunity lasts only while the Legislature is in session. So the soon to be Senator was unable to wiggle out of the ticket. Twice the speed limit? Come on . . . Lawfare!’ cries Sen. Justine Wadsack as she heads to court. How dare Tucson try to hold her accountable for doing 71 mph in a 35...

by Bill McBride Calculated Risk Newsletter Intro: Former Angry Bear writer Bill McBribe taking up the issues of Mortgage Delinquency, Foreclosures, and Real Estate Owned (REO) foreclosed housing. The value of which decreased in the second quarter to (what Bill calls) a historically low total. Read on. We will NOT see a surge in foreclosures that would significantly impact house prices (as happened following the housing bubble) for two key...

From everything I’ve read, Medicare Advantage is just as scam. By the time my Lovely And Talented Wife® retired and shifted to Medicare two years ago, she took the regular Medicare. This July when I retired, I followed suit. Turns out, a growing number of hospitals and health systems nationwide have dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.“Data on this topic is limited. In January, the Healthcare Financial Management Association...

I spent much time over my 50 years working in foreign countries. I needed something to do so I would sight see on weekends and in the early evenings. The Germans gave me a car so I would take off to visit castles, etc. Ended up in Czech Republic, off to Prague on a Sunday. The Germans paid for my gasoline and meals as they sent me to those countries. Cut over to Strausberg France, Zurich. The same in China, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia. I...

Usually, listeria contamination comes from poor cleanup after a “lot-size” of a product is complete. It thrives in a moist, colder environment. Lunch meat, hot dog, sausage etc, manufacturing environment can be prone to having listeria contamination. After a lot or a shift is complete, the machines and the rooms have to be cleaned. The machines disassembled, tables, and equipment are steamed. The walls, floor, and corners are wiped down with a bleach...

The U.S. economy has been growing faster than military spending, so defense spending as a share of GDP has been decreasing. While the $dollars spent are increasing, the percentage of GDP Defense Spending takes up has been decreasing since 1952. Perhaps a better question is do we really need to spend this much on Defense? Perhaps wiser and defined expenditures may be in order? U.S. Defense Spending in Historical and International Context...