Category Archives: Economics and the like

When Palestinians Die, Americans Eat.

On the radio today: news about the recession. Story after story about dismal holiday sales. Explanations of why it’s not a good idea to be thrifty when money’s tight: if you don’t go out and buy stuff, people will lose … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like, Elections and politics, International issues, Palestine & Israel | 2 Comments

Thinking Thoughts I Never Thought I'd Think

“Thank goodness the Bush administration is there to be the sane voice of the Republican party.” The Bush administration said on Friday that it was prepared to intervene to prevent the collapse of General Motors and Chrysler after Republican senators … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like, In the news | 1 Comment

Paul Krugman Can't Be Pessimistic Enough

Paul Krugman engages in some negative speculation on December 4th: The economy is falling fast. We’ll see what tomorrow’s employment report says, but we could well be losing jobs at a rate of 450,000 or 500,000 a month. Remember, that … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like | 12 Comments

Republicans to Detroit: Drop Dead

Evidently the Republican Party likes being a Southern regional party. Because they wouldn’t be doing this if they ever hoped to win Michigan, Ohio, or Pennsylvania ever again: The Senate on Thursday night abandoned efforts to fashion a government rescue … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like | 7 Comments

Always Low Wages. Always.

Just in case you’d forgotten, Wal-Mart sucks: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s biggest retailer, agreed to pay $54.3 million to settle a Minnesota lawsuit over wages after a judge ruled the company broke state laws by requiring employees to work … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like | 1 Comment

You Know What I Need, or Maybe You Don’t

Last week, hands were wrung and tsks were tsked over the potential $25 billion dollar bailout of GM, Chrysler, and Ford. Sure, directly and indirectly the U.S. auto industry employs about 4.5 million people. But the companies, we were told, … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like | 17 Comments

Paul Krugman Pwns George Will

That’s gonna leave a mark. Hey, George, here’s a tip for the future: don’t just yammer about economic history when you’re sitting next to a Nobel laureate. Knowing your stuff works a lot better.

Posted in Economics and the like, Media criticism | 5 Comments

It Turns Out That the Economy Isn't Magic

When watching this, remember that Cassandra got kicked around pretty good too. But she was 100 percent right. As was Peter Schiff. I particularly like Ben Stein getting this even wronger than his position on evolution. (H/T Sully)

Posted in Economics and the like | 9 Comments

A Nation Built on the Hierarchy of Race

Considering all of the comments and posts on sexuality and race I’ve decided to post a modified blog post I did at my blog.  It’s an excerpt from a review of The Cost of Privielge: Taking on the System of … Continue reading

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Race, racism and related issues | 1 Comment

By All Means, Greg, Take More Time Off

Greg Mankiw is concerned that if we raise taxes for the wealthy, he’ll have marginally less incentive to go to work, rather than spending more time with his kids. The bottom line: If you are one of those people out … Continue reading

Posted in Economics and the like | 14 Comments