Econophile's blog
What The Job Reports Mean
Submitted by Econophile on 01/07/2011 17:30 -0500The employment situation is still very bad. It brings up the specter of long-term structural employment in our economy. Job growth is still weak, buoyed by temp and health care workers. There are some positives in this report but job growth is still insufficient to overcome layoffs and a growing labor force.
Holiday Spending Was Up--So What
Submitted by Econophile on 01/06/2011 13:31 -0500The Christmas holiday shopping reports through December 25 were up for the season as compared to last year. So what. Does that mean economic recovery? I think not.
Something Is Still Happening
Submitted by Econophile on 01/04/2011 13:39 -0500In a previous article ("Something's Happening") I noted positive trends emerging. I'm still not saying we are on the road to recovery (actually we are on the road to stagflation), but things are getting warmer. "Something" is still happening. Pay attention.
The Daily Capitalist's Top 12 of 2010
Submitted by Econophile on 01/01/2011 23:42 -0500There are too many year-end top ten lists, so I'm not going to do that. I'm going to do 12. I've chosen those things from The Daily Capitalist's perspective that I thought impacted our lives here in the USA. These 12 events created a lot of buzz, things we were all talking about.
Will The Tax Bill Stimulus Create Economic Growth?
Submitted by Econophile on 12/23/2010 15:17 -0500No. Tax cuts are good, but right now it's like pushing on a string.
Will The Housing Market Continue To Decline?
Submitted by Econophile on 12/22/2010 02:10 -0500The quick answer to the headline of this article is yes.
Why Unemployment Will Remain High For Years (Parts I and II)
Submitted by Econophile on 12/17/2010 14:22 -0500There are 26.2 unemployed or underemployed workers in America today. And the labor participation rate (percentage of employed to total workforce) has gone backwards for the past 10 years. There are forces that continue to discourage job growth and will hinder economic growth for years. Apparently your government hates workers because it is doing everything is can to discourage job growth.
Why Unemployment Will Remain High For Years (Part I)
Submitted by Econophile on 12/15/2010 14:34 -0500There are 26.2 unemployed or underemployed workers in America today. And the labor participation rate (percentage of employed to total workforce) has gone backwards for the past 10 years. There are forces that continue to discourage job growth and will hinder economic growth for years. Apparently your government hates workers because it is doing everything is can to discourage job growth.
The Federal Reserve: America’s Fourth Branch of Government
Submitted by Econophile on 12/08/2010 13:10 -0500The Federal Reserve is America's Fourth Branch of government and Ben Bernanke is, in effect, the economic czar of the country. The Fourth Branch? The Fed and the Fed alone has the power to determine how much money should be in the economy. Such vast power over our lives makes the Fed a de facto fourth branch of government. Yet, its powers are not defined by the Constitution, and neither the chairman nor senior officials are elected by the people.
Fallout After The Credit Bomb
Submitted by Econophile on 12/08/2010 12:45 -0500Banks, especially the ones which lend to most US businesses were devastated by the credit bomb. Their recovery is crucial for economic recovery. Are they thawing or freezing? What is the current status of credit in America?
Why Quantitative Easing And Fiscal Stimulus Are Unnecessary
Submitted by Econophile on 12/02/2010 14:55 -0500In my article "Something Is Happening" I noted a glimmer of positive economic data. I was cautious to not call it a "recovery" yet because there isn't a clear trend. I still feel that way. The Fed and the federal government may yet blow up a recovery. But ... I can't ignore positive signs. I read the same data as other free market oriented blogs out there, I am just about the only one seeing this. "Believe what your eyes see, not what you want to believe."
Ben Bernanke: "My Head Hurts"
Submitted by Econophile on 12/01/2010 19:28 -0500I would like to feel sorry for Ben Bernanke because of his bumbling and confusion about what to do about the economy, but I can't. Every time he turns around he does the wrong thing. Can you say "cognitive dissonance?"
News Flash: Obama IS a Politician!
Submitted by Econophile on 12/01/2010 13:26 -0500Politics has a charming way of bringing reality to lame-duck politicians. The Republican gains in the House and Senate have apparently prompted President Obama to do the unthinkable: freeze the pay of civilian federal workers for two years. His constituency is very upset by this apparent betrayal by Obama.
Post-Thanksgiving Economic Review
Submitted by Econophile on 11/30/2010 13:36 -0500After a nice Thanksgiving spectacle of turkey, pumpkin pie, relatives, cool days of bright California sunshine, and college football, it's time to turn back to the serious business of the economy. Here is a review of the latest data. This is stuff you should know.


