Political Economy category archive
This New Gilded Age 0
In a longer article about the Trump maladministration’s attempts to destroy the Digital Equity Act, a Techdirt reporter makes what methinks a trenchant observation (emphasis added):
I commend the entire piece to your attention.
This New Gilded Age 0
Sam talks with Megan Greenwell, author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, about how private equity firms are gutting the American dream for personal gain.
Afterthought:
They go into detail about what happened to Toys ‘R Us.
Trickle On Economics Rides Again (or Is That “Still”?) 0
Sam and the crew destroy discuss the rationale for not taxing billionaires offered by the Republican candidate for New Jersey Lieutenant Governor.
The Art of the Con, Reprise 0
Thom discusses Republicans’ biggest con.
Trumponomics 0
Seth runs the numbers.
This New Gilded Age 0
Via Truthout, Sarah Anderson runs the numbers. Here’s just one number:
The gap between CEO compensation and median worker pay at Starbucks hit 6,666 to 1 last year.
In other words, to make as much money as their CEO made in 2024, typical baristas would’ve had to start brewing macchiatos around the time humans first invented the wheel.
More numbers at the link.
The Reverse Robin Hood Party, Reprise 0
David notes that Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” seems to be somewhat unpopular with the populace.
The Reverse Robin Hood Party 0
Michael in Norfolk makes the case that Reagan’s trickle-on economics is still exacting its toll, as Republican policies make the rich richer and the poor more desperate.
This New Gilded Age 0
Surprise! Surprise! Monopolies are coming back (except for the ones that are already here.)
The Roll-Back 0
Methinks Bruce Schneier makes a valid point.
However much he wants to, Trump is not going to be able to roll back the clock, but he’s going to do a heck of a lot damage along the way.
Misfire 0
Via The Japan Times, Columbia University Professor Zongyuan Zoe Liu makes a strong case that China is winning the trade war that Trump chose to start. Here’s a tiny bit:
That is why Chinese leaders, businesspeople and entrepreneurs have focused on building resilience and self-reliance, which means, first and foremost, reducing dependence on U.S. markets and technology.
Afterthought:
Trump is indeed running the government like a business, and that business is Enron.
Extra-Special Bonus QOTD 0
Jim Bachus, in the voice of Thurston Howell III:
The writers of Gilligan’s Island meant this as a joke.
They did not anticipate that it would come to be the guiding principle of the Chicago School and of today’s Republican Party.
Suffer the Children 0
Once again we are reminded that that’s not scripture. That’s a Republican family value.