Tag Archives: Hot Topics

[unable to retrieve full-text content] – by New Deal democrat As usual, the month’s data begins with the ISM manufacturing index, and with a one month delay, construction spending. Because manufacturing is of diminishing importance to the economy, and was in deep contraction both in 2015-16 and again in 2022 without any recession occurring, I now use an economically weighted three […] The post ISM manufacturing remains weak, while construction spending continues...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The Vera Institutes report on Jails and Prisons is accurate. I am basing this comment on what I know about them in the past. Obviously, things have changed over time. It is good to see a decrease. Perhaps they have found better ways to handle minor issues other than the county jail or state prisons. […] The post Jail and Prison Populations Decreased Since 2019 appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content] – by New Deal democrat Let me finish catching up this week with a quick look at personal income and spending, which were reported on Wednesday. The “big” takeaway I’ve seen elsewhere is that inflation picked up, and maybe will complicate the Fed’s task. But I don’t see where it’s such a big deal. The […] The post Real personal income and spending for October were all good; no special cause for concern...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Social Security is sustainable. I do not know how many times Dale, Arne, and Bruce have had to explain this. And no, the US has not been on the Gold Standard for domestic transactions since 1933. In 1971, the US left the Gold Standard for International transactions under President Nixon. The U.S. switched to a […] The post Is Social Security Sustainable? appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Today, I chose to put up a few stories about Thanksgiving Days in the past. This instead of the usual commentaries we would write at Angry Bear. I believe they are good reads. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day. There is much to enjoy with family and friends. I spent time out of country […] The post Angry Bear Commenters and Readers appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Mexico buys about $300 billion worth of goods from us every year, mostly machinery, oil, autos, food and office equipment. If Trump imposes a 25% tariff on Mexican imports, you can be sure that Mexico will retaliate, at the expense of American jobs. Meanwhile, Mexico will certainly be looking to source these goods from China […] The post The Trump tariffs won’t actually happen appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]For 4 decades I have been trying to deal with, what seems to me to be a contradiction between empirical results. Kahneman and Twersky note two things. One is diagnostic expectations – people over react to useful signals of membership in a group – diagnostic symptoms.  One example is that red hair is diagnostic of […] The post Diagnostic Expectations vs Anchoring appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Consumer Price Index as taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I have done “nothing” to alter this report. This was not a bad report. People are reacting to past issues with pricing and costs. Unless Trump is bluffing with his tariff’s threats, I would expect some major increases in prices and costs as countries […] The post Consumer Price Index – October 2024 appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Angry Bears I will attempt to have something up to read this Thursday (Thanksgiving). I believe Joel will be on and off also. He has not put in for vacation yet. But then we do not pay for holidays! 🙂 I am also traveling on the 3rd of December to Chicago. My time in Chicago […] The post Thanksgiving Holiday plus Some appeared first on Angry Bear.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Back when Trump rebranded NAFTA as “USMCE,” here’s what he said about it: “We have negotiated this new agreement based on the principle of fairness and reciprocity…. This is a terrific deal for all of us….This new deal will be the most modern, up-to-date, and balanced trade agreement in the history of our country…. With […] The post USMCA used to be “a fair deal for everybody” appeared first...