Chasing Swingers, Not Specifics:
Because it is effectively all white, the GOP is compelled to send out a revolving door of minority pols and businessmen to affirm the party’s nonexistent multiracial bona fides. Because it denies women’s reproductive rights and fears their sexuality, it must trot out a phalanx of female officials. Because it seeks to deport undocumented immigrants brought here as children, it must affirm the nation’s immigrant roots. Because its economic policies favor the rich, every speaker must assure listeners that his parents or her grandparents or their great-uncle twice removed once hauled coal without a bucket in the world’s dankest mine. And because Mitt Romney is a private-equity guy more comfortable with numbers than people, we must hear—from his lips and dozens of others—that he’s been a great dad, grandpa, husband, son, co-worker, neighbor, sports fan, and uncle.
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Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
why politicians lie
Because they can:
Fact-Checkers Are No Match For Romney and Ryan:
" Asked about the controversy later, Bush's press secretary, Peter Teeley, made a stunning statement. "You can say anything you want during a debate, and 80 million people hear it." And what if reporters then wrote stories demonstrating that the candidate had lied? "So what?" Teeley responded. "'Maybe 200 people read it or 2,000 or 20,000."
"China is Okay" by Stephen S. Roach | Project Syndicate
A stopped clock is right twice a day.
When China bounces back Roach will be correct.
"China is Okay" by Stephen S. Roach | Project Syndicate
When China bounces back Roach will be correct.
"China is Okay" by Stephen S. Roach | Project Syndicate
Republicans can end 15 years of US stupidity - FT.com
Copywriter wrote the wrong headline. Should read "Republicans are responsible for 15 years of US stupidity"
Republicans can end 15 years of US stupidity - FT.com
Republicans can end 15 years of US stupidity - FT.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Citi’s $590 Million Settlement: Where It Ranks
Crony capitalism. Who lied and who should go to jail is left unsaid.
Citi’s $590 Million Settlement: Where It Ranks - Deal Journal - WSJ
Citi’s $590 Million Settlement: Where It Ranks - Deal Journal - WSJ
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Another Chinese bridge collapses
The comments are amazing. About evenly split (if I interpret the snark correctly) between those that believe that the level of regulation in China trumps the US and those that do not.
Another Chinese bridge collapses
Another Chinese bridge collapses
Galt, Gold and Gold - NYTimes.com
Galt, Gold and Gold - NYTimes.com:
"This last point is important. In pushing for draconian cuts in Medicaid, food stamps and other programs that aid the needy, Mr. Ryan isn’t just looking for ways to save money. He’s also, quite explicitly, trying to make life harder for the poor — for their own good. In March, explaining his cuts in aid for the unfortunate, he declared, “We don’t want to turn the safety net into a hammock that lulls able-bodied people into lives of dependency and complacency, that drains them of their will and their incentive to make the most of their lives.”
"This last point is important. In pushing for draconian cuts in Medicaid, food stamps and other programs that aid the needy, Mr. Ryan isn’t just looking for ways to save money. He’s also, quite explicitly, trying to make life harder for the poor — for their own good. In March, explaining his cuts in aid for the unfortunate, he declared, “We don’t want to turn the safety net into a hammock that lulls able-bodied people into lives of dependency and complacency, that drains them of their will and their incentive to make the most of their lives.”
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Golf: Augusta National Invites Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore to Join
"Filed in the better late than never, but shocking is a headline in 2012 "file.
Golf: Augusta National Invites Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore to Join - WSJ.com
Golf: Augusta National Invites Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore to Join - WSJ.com
The Great Factor Substitution,
No, productivity growth is good. It is about how that benefit is distributed.
The Great Factor Substitution, Arnold Kling | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty
The Great Factor Substitution, Arnold Kling | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty
Romney's Race-Based Initiative
Romney's Race-Based Initiative:
Obama too. The campaign is about race
"the fate of his campaign hinges in part on his vote share among working-class whites. Obama lost this group by 18 percent in 2008, but they turned on Democrats by 30 points in 2010, handing Republicans control of the House. If Obama gets around 38 percent of the white vote in 2012, he should hold his spot in the White House."
Obama too. The campaign is about race
"the fate of his campaign hinges in part on his vote share among working-class whites. Obama lost this group by 18 percent in 2008, but they turned on Democrats by 30 points in 2010, handing Republicans control of the House. If Obama gets around 38 percent of the white vote in 2012, he should hold his spot in the White House."
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Robots Don't Cost Jobs, Bad Economic Policy Does
Repeat after me: Productivity growth is good.
Robots Don't Cost Jobs, Bad Economic Policy Does | Beat the Press
Robots Don't Cost Jobs, Bad Economic Policy Does | Beat the Press
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Small Government or Smallish-Sort-of-Mediumish-Nicer-Better Government | The Baseline Scenario
Small Government or Smallish-Sort-of-Mediumish-Nicer-Better Government | The Baseline Scenario:
In the longer term, Democrats should be worried, because Romney and Ryan have the better debating position. Their position is simple and superficially compelling: Government is bad. (Cf. the DMV—it’s state, not federal, and the one in Massachusetts works very well, but whatever; BATF; EPA; IRS; whatever agency your audience happens to dislike. Compare to Apple as if all private sector businesses were like Apple.) Government infringes on individual liberty. Cut down the government and we will have (a) more liberty, (b) more economic growth, and (c) lower taxes.
In the longer term, Democrats should be worried, because Romney and Ryan have the better debating position. Their position is simple and superficially compelling: Government is bad. (Cf. the DMV—it’s state, not federal, and the one in Massachusetts works very well, but whatever; BATF; EPA; IRS; whatever agency your audience happens to dislike. Compare to Apple as if all private sector businesses were like Apple.) Government infringes on individual liberty. Cut down the government and we will have (a) more liberty, (b) more economic growth, and (c) lower taxes.
Striking Caterpillar Workers Ratify Contract Offer - NYTimes.com
Striking Caterpillar Workers Ratify Contract Offer - NYTimes.com:
What is wrong with America:
"The compensation of its chief executive, Douglas R. Oberhelman, increased by 60 percent in 2011, to $16.9 million."
What is wrong with America:
"The compensation of its chief executive, Douglas R. Oberhelman, increased by 60 percent in 2011, to $16.9 million."
Friday, August 17, 2012
Does America Get the Campaigns It Deserves?
Does America Get the Campaigns It Deserves?:
" If you're an undecided voter who could actually be swayed to change your vote by a TV ad about some stupid thing one of the candidates said, then let's be honest: you're kind of an imbecile."
" If you're an undecided voter who could actually be swayed to change your vote by a TV ad about some stupid thing one of the candidates said, then let's be honest: you're kind of an imbecile."
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Making Populism Serious: The Case of Social Security, Bryan Caplan
The libertarian view: "Why give money to old poor people?"
Making Populism Serious: The Case of Social Security, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty
Making Populism Serious: The Case of Social Security, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Amid Insider Trading Inquiry, Tiger Asia Calls It Quits -
One reason why hedge fund returns have stalled; insider trading is now prosecuted.
Amid Insider Trading Inquiry, Tiger Asia Calls It Quits - NYTimes.com
A Kalashnikov Factory in Russia Survives on Sales to U.S. Gun Owners - NYTimes.com
A Kalashnikov Factory in Russia Survives on Sales to U.S. Gun Owners - NYTimes.com:
"American hunters" Perfect for shooting rabbits.
"American hunters" Perfect for shooting rabbits.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
When Did the GOP Lose Touch With Reality?
When Did the GOP Lose Touch With Reality?:
" This past summer, the GOP nearly forced America to the verge of default just to score a point in a budget debate. In the throes of the worst economic crisis since the Depression, Republican politicians demand massive budget cuts and shrug off the concerns of the unemployed. In the face of evidence of dwindling upward mobility and long-stagnating middle-class wages, my party’s economic ideas sometimes seem to have shrunk to just one: more tax cuts for the very highest earners. When I entered Republican politics, during an earlier period of malaise, in the late seventies and early eighties, the movement got most of the big questions—crime, inflation, the Cold War—right. This time, the party is getting the big questions disastrously wrong."
" This past summer, the GOP nearly forced America to the verge of default just to score a point in a budget debate. In the throes of the worst economic crisis since the Depression, Republican politicians demand massive budget cuts and shrug off the concerns of the unemployed. In the face of evidence of dwindling upward mobility and long-stagnating middle-class wages, my party’s economic ideas sometimes seem to have shrunk to just one: more tax cuts for the very highest earners. When I entered Republican politics, during an earlier period of malaise, in the late seventies and early eighties, the movement got most of the big questions—crime, inflation, the Cold War—right. This time, the party is getting the big questions disastrously wrong."
The Degree and Origin of Foreign Language Competence,
The Degree and Origin of Foreign Language Competence, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty:
It was tough.
"To get your kids in the "speak a foreign language very well/ learned it in the childhood home" box, you typically need to speak to them in that foreign language almost exclusively.� Unless you strongly prefer to speak that foreign language, that's a heavy burden."
It was tough.
"To get your kids in the "speak a foreign language very well/ learned it in the childhood home" box, you typically need to speak to them in that foreign language almost exclusively.� Unless you strongly prefer to speak that foreign language, that's a heavy burden."
Friday, August 10, 2012
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Economist's View: Giving Economics a Bad Name
Sad to see the head of Harvard ec department behave this way.
Economist's View: Giving Economics a Bad Name
Economist's View: Giving Economics a Bad Name
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
A Billionaire Philanthropist Struggles to Go Broke
A Billionaire Philanthropist Struggles to Go Broke - NYTimes.com:
“I want the last check I write to bounce,” Mr. Feeney said.
“I want the last check I write to bounce,” Mr. Feeney said.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Google Googles 'Higher Yield,' Finds Auto Bonds -
Sign of the apocalypse: All those smart guys at google cannot find stuff to invest in. So they buy bonds.
Where are our driverless cars?
Google Googles 'Higher Yield,' Finds Auto Bonds - WSJ.com
Where are our driverless cars?
Google Googles 'Higher Yield,' Finds Auto Bonds - WSJ.com
Single Tree Kills Power in Greenwich
In the richest town in America, infrastructure is still neglected.
Single Tree Kills Power in Greenwich - NYTimes.com
Single Tree Kills Power in Greenwich - NYTimes.com