August Jobs Report Disappoints As It Fails To Meet Expectations

August’s Jobs Report came in below expectations.

Federal Reserve Raises Rates For Third Time Since December

For the third time since December,, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates.

Trump Administration Introduces Tax Plan, But Comes Up Short On Details

The Trump Administration is out with a tax plan, but it’s seriously lacking in details.

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates For Third Time In Fifteen Months

For only the third time since the Great Recession ended, the Federal Reserve Board has raised interest rates.

Some Observations On The Debate Over Health Care And Insurance, Part II

Part Two in a series of observations about health care and health insurance in light of the introduction of the House GOP’s health care plan. This post examines several ideas advanced by conservatives, and the reasons they aren’t complete answers to the problems we face.

Supreme Court Begins New Term Short A Member And Without Any Real Blockbuster Cases

The Supreme Court begins another term faced with the prospect of having to spend much of their time dealing with the fact that they’re short a member.

Sluggish Economic Growth, The Federal Reserve, And The 2016 Election

Another sign of a weak economy as the Federal Reserve considers rate hikes and the Presidential campaign moves forward.

Ross Kaminsky: Protectionism is Political Pandering

It is a misguided and foolish attempt to try and buy votes without appearing to buy votes.

The Micro Economics of the Financial Crisis

The Financial Crisis was not a problem of macroeconomics, but a cluster of microeconomic problems all acting together.

So…That Stimulus

A report card for the 2009 Stimulus Bill.

If Only A Contested Convention Can Stop Trump, It’s A Plan That’s Unlikely To Succeed

It seems increasingly apparent that the only way to stop Donald Trump now is by trying to force a contested convention. It also seems clear that such a plan probably wouldn’t succeed.

Mitt Romney Denounces Donald Trump, But It’s Likely To Amount To Much Ado About Nothing

Mitt Romney came out with a blistering speech denouncing Donald Trump, but it’s unlikely to have much of an impact on the race.

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates For First Time In Nearly A Decade

In a move it had been telegraphing for the better part of a year, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since July 2006.

Republicans And The Legacy Of George W. Bush

Republicans haven’t really moved beyond the legacy of George W. Bush’s failed Administration as much as they’d like to think, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting them very much.

Congress, White House Reach Budget Deal, John Boehner’s Parting Gift To Paul Ryan?

Congress and the White House have reached a tentative deal on the budget and debt ceiling that promises to make Paul Ryan’s initial months as Speaker a lot easier.

New Report Indicates Pete Rose Bet As A Player, And Lied About It

Pete Rose’s efforts at rehabilitation may have just been fatally injured.

What Gun Laws Would Help?

David Frum calls for several measures to reduce gun violence.

David Petraeus Given Slap on Wrist for Espionage Act Violation

The former CIA Director received no jail time and a nuisance-level fine in exchange for a guilty plea to espionage charges.

David Petraeus Pleads Guilty To Sharing Classified Information

The most widely honored General from the Iraq and Afghanistan War has plead guilty to sharing classified information with his mistress.

The Global 1%

Software Patents are Crumbling

The courts have been striking them down at a dizzying pace since June.

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell Convicted On Corruption Charges

A once rising GOP star hits bottom.

Court Rules Defendant Must Reveal Computer’s Encryption Password

Another area where the law has yet to catch up to technology.

Hillary Clinton Keeps Committing The Same Gaffe About Her Wealth

Hillary Clinton does not come across well when she tries to play the empathy card.

Woman’s Death Goes Unnoticed for Years

A tale of life in modern-day America . . .

Initial Fourth Quarter GDP Report Sends Mixed Signals

Some good news, but also plenty of reason to worry about the future.

Is The Tech Bubble Returning?

Some signs from Silicon Valley seem to indicate that the heady days of the 90s Tech Bubble are returning.

Defense Civilians Could Go Back to Work

The Defense Department might open for business while the rest of government remains shut down.

Essential Government Personnel, Professional Military Education Edition

One inmate’s view of the asylum.

Another Month, Another Disappointing Jobs Report

The American jobs market continues to disappoint.

Tea Party Apparently Now Considers Stopping Immigration Reform Most Important Issue

Forget about the budget deficit and spending. The Tea Party apparently now considers stopping immigration reform to be its most important task.

Nearly 1/5th Of Congress Getting Both Pension And Salary

Doesn’t pass the smell test.

Meritocracy Paradox

The main who coined the word “meritocracy” meant it as a pejorative term.

Law School Applications Nearing 30 Year Low

Applications to America’s Law Schools are down, because the nature of the legal profession is changing.

Republicans Foolishly Risking Default To Prove A Political Point

Once again, the House GOP is risking sending the economy into the tank to prove a political point.

Stealth Tax Hikes

The new $450,000 income threshold is a political fiction.

Fiscal Cliff Compromise

A outline of a deal both sides could live with.

OTB Caption Contest Winners

The Flip The Bird Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Why Class Warfare Succeeds

The “makers vs takers,” “the 99 percent vs. the 1 percent,” and “53 percent vs. 47 percent” memes are getting tiresome.

How Romney Lost The Economy As A Winning Issue

The biggest surprise of the Presidential race to date is the fact that Mitt Romney has lost the edge he once had on economic issues.

Federal Reserve Announces Another Round Of Stimulus Creating Money Out Of Thin Air

Ben Bernanke thinks doing more of the same is just what the economy needs.

Romney And Ryan Not Providing Details About Their Tax Plan

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are refusing to provide significant details about their tax plan. That’s a mistake.

No Charges Against Goldman Sachs

After two-and-a-half years and who knows how many taxpayer dollars spent trying to prove criminal wrongdoing, the SEC fell short.