Die Schuldenbremse — muss das wirklich sein? Schulden abzubauen gilt als generationengerecht. Schließlich, so das Argument, reduziere das die Zinslast zukünftiger Generationen. Das klingt nachvollziehbar, in der Realität ist es aber etwas komplizierter. Weniger Schulden sind nicht gleichbedeutend mit einer geringeren Zinslast. Denn zum einen genießt der Bund zeitweise ein ganz besonderes Privileg: Er zahlt nicht für seine Schulden, sondern wird dafür...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Michael Hudson and Richard Wolff critique the lack of substantive policy debate in the Trump-Harris exchange, noting that key issues like U.S.-China relations and the economic decline of the U.S. were largely ignored. Both highlight that the debate focused on personality over policy, avoiding critical topics such as de-industrialization, foreign policy in Ukraine, and the shifting global economic landscape. Hudson points out the bipartisan reluctance to...

– 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...

Dum och dummare i svensk nationalekonomi I Tidningen Näringslivet kunde vi för några år sedan läsa en intervju med ekonomiprofessor Daniel Waldenström, där denne gång på gång bagatelliserade den ökade inkomst- och förmögenhetsklyftan i Sverige under de senaste 40 åren. Enligt Waldenström har efter 00-talet ”inkomstskillnaderna faktiskt inte ökat särskilt mycket alls.” De som påpekar att ojämlikheten de facto ökat kraftigt även de senaste två decennierna,...

Av med den finanspolitiska tvångströjan! Konjunkturen vill inte riktigt vända, arbetslösheten ökar, tillväxtprognoserna har redan förbytts i stagnationsprognoser. De närmsta åren kommer med stor sannolikhet att bjuda på en långvarig konjunktursvacka. I detta minst sagt svåra läge har det blivit allt tydligare att penning- och räntepolitiken inte längre är verkningsfull. Men vad regeringen med manisk envishet vägrar inse är att ekonomin behöver en rejäl...

Still an important issue today which never seems to be totally resolved. Some good examples given by Robert Reich. Friends, The Violence Against Women Act was signed into law by Bill Clinton 30 years ago today, on September 13, 1994. At the time, I was secretary of labor in the Clinton administration. The Act seeks to protect women against men who are typically physically stronger and often possess resources and status that women do not. As...

by Dean Baker CEPR The effort to bring back manufacturing jobs has been a major theme in the 2024 election. Both parties say they consider this a high priority for the next administration. However, there is a notable difference in that the Biden-Harris administration has actively supported an increase in unionization, while the Republicans have indicated, at best, neutrality if not outright hostility towards unions. This distinction is...

USPS Shuts Out Wyomingites Who Want To Comment On Rural Delivery Plan People trying to sign up to comment on the latest U.S. Postal Service proposal that would impact rural delivery in much of Wyoming are finding themselves shut out after a barely publicized deadline to register for Thursday’s virtual meeting passed. The U.S. Postal Service had announced it won’t hold a second in-person forum for people to comment on its latest plan to cut $3...

IN 2020 the US homicide rate increased by 29% the largest percent increase on record. There are different theories of the cause. Some are related to Covid 19 with isolation (not lockdowns there were not lockdowns in the USA) causing increased stress and domestic disputes. The George Floyd associated conflict between police and those they are sworn to protect and serve could have led police to quietly quit (there is evidence of this in the reduced...