Economy
An unanticipated (unprecedented) leap in employment just prior to this year’s presidential election brought the Current Population Survey (CPS) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) an unusually high degree of technical scrutiny. As I’ve been noting, the seasonally adjusted and unadjusted results have been a bit peculiar. With data from December now available,…
After two months of unexpectedly strong employment growth, Rhode Island’s surge abated. Unemployment held at 10.4%, leaving the state at second worst in the nation, with Nevada rapidly making up the distance, and the number 3 California finally slipping below 10%. According to survey data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the pace…
The lesson of current events and history; what the 2nd Amendment means; what that means for change; government control and healthcare insecurity; government control and economic stagnation; a couple positive notes. Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…
Two narratives on the economy; a health exchange story the media is missing; government as pretend leader; powerful teachers’ unions (plus Ted Nesi’s Rolodex) Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…
A stunningly biased article by AP writer Jeff Karoub on the front page of today’s Providence Journal likely captures the attitude of most in the Rhode Island media on the issue of right-to-work legislation, as enacted into law in Michigan, yesterday: The GOP-dominated House ignored Democrats’ pleas to delay the final passage and instead approved…
What subsidizes green?; what the unions want the pension law to say; First Family Holiday Fame; America, the Special. Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…
Marc Comtois highlights another fascinating glimpse into the reasoning behind policy ideas that he and I agree are, well, in error. I’m speaking of this paragraph from Slate’s Matthew Yglesias: … I’m especially enthusiastic about the mortgage part. Suppose homeowners in expensive coastal cities couldn’t deduct their mortgage interest, what would happen? Well, what would…
Providence Journal opinion columnist M.J. Anderson offers a fascinatingly candid look at the thought processes of those whose preference for expressing concern for people is through government programs, and at how it ultimately makes a cheap trinket of freedom. The bulk of her column describes the terrible dynamic of ObamaCare that is leading employers to…
Philip Marcelo of the Projo reported last week that…Governor Chafee said on Friday that he is not considering major changes to the state Economic Development Corporation, despite a state-commissioned report calling for a major overhaul of the embattled agency, which came under fire for its handling of the 38 Studios debacle.I know every other state…
Changing unions’ privatization strategy; the government spending ratchet; the government spending racket; and the trap of dependency. Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…