The Angry Bear

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...

by Tara Watson Williams College EconoFact “Relative to the late Bush and early Obama eras, the Trump administration removed a modest number of immigrants from the nation’s interior.” One would not think such was true. Apparently and as in other instances, the numbers say differently. Keep in mind this report is from 2021. It does give detail on the differences between Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigrant...

This does not make sense. Between Fund payouts and Social Security, we were well below $100,000. After deductions and expenses (mortgage, property tax, donations, etc.) our income taxes were very small. We set a side 7% of our SS for taxes and we had plenty left over. We are not the poorest and definitely not the richest. If we follow Trumps suggestion, we will be favoring the very rich getting Social Security. The ones who can afford to pay....

More on Kroger push to merge Albertsons into its array of stores. This comes after Appollo Funds and Cerberus Capital Management have milked it for $billions. The $24.6 billion deal[1], largely benefiting Albertson’s private equity owner Cerberus Capital Management, is seen by many as a maneuver to maximize investor returns rather than to provide tangible benefits to consumers or workers. Appollo owns $1.75 billion in Albertson’s preferred stock....

When you read this, pay attention to who is funding who for the presidency. It is surprising and it is not surprising. We have heard this person who longs to be a president again and people still support this person? The energy companies backing are profit and control mongers. They see an opportunity and they are preparing for when and if Trump becomes President. Under a President Kamala Harris, they would still be profitable. They would also...

At https://www.c-span.org/video/?538053-1/simulcast-abc-news-presidential-debate under racism/racial identity @ ~120 mins. Donald J. Trump Per transcript: I DON’T KNOW. ALL I CAN SAY IS I READ WHERE SHE WAS NOT BLACK THAT SHE PUT OUT… I WILL SAY THAT. AND THEN I READ THAT SHE WAS A BLACK AND THAT IT’S OKAY PETE EITHER HOME IS OKAY WITH ME. THAT IS UP TO HER THAT IS UP TO HER. What he said: … I read where she was black . . . that she...

– by New Deal democrat My “Weekly Indicators” post is up at Seeking Alpha. The imminent likelihood of a Fed rate cut has continued to drive rates down to new 12-month lows (which is good for things like mortgages in particular). Meanwhile consumer spending as measured weekly is also near 12 month highs, which is also very good. As usual, clicking over and reading will bring you up to the virtual moment as to all the categories of economic...

Teacher pay rises in 2023 by Sylvia Allegretto Economic Policy Institute Just offering up a portion of an EPI report on Teacher’s Earnings Public school teachers attaining a bachelor’s degree to teach in the U.S. do not make similar wages as what other similarly degreed people in other fields. There is a pay gap between the disciplines and gender. The EPI report compares the pay of public-school teachers with the pay of college graduates...