Archive for January, 2008

Read this article from the New York Times Magazine:United States – International Diplomacy – Economic Trends – World Economy – Politics
This subject: the increasing decline of US world power relative to the other great powers, is the true motivating issue underlying the upcoming presidential election. The complications of the last three decades of imperial… »

Obama’s statements last week about the relative importance of Reagan and Bill Clinton are still reverberating around the primary scene. Here’s Paul Krugman’s position from the New York Times: Debunking the Reagan Myth
One of my continuing reservations about Obama is the level of his commitment to the liberal cause [I hate using the word… »

It is remarkable how quickly the discussion amongst policy makers has turned from denying the possibility of an economic downturn toward developing plans to alleviate the impact of one. here is a good run down on the subject from today’s New York Times:The Debate Over How and How Long
The debate over the type, extent… »

Today’s jobs data reinforces the view that the economy is slowing down quickly. Here’s the release as reported by MarketWatch, a Dow Jones website:
Jobless rate jumps to 5% as payroll growth stalls

The point to raise here is that not only was job growth really weak last month, but that unemployment jumped so strongly from… »

By now most of you will have realized that I have a very low opinion of the American electoral process. Frankly it is not democratic, so I find it obnoxious, to say the least, when American politicians or commentators crow, lecture, or otherwise pontificate about the virtues of democracy. I am not alone…. »

Happy New Year everyone! Unfortunately we start 2008 still under the thumb of the Bush regime who’s ineptitude and corruption won’t be banished for a full year. As if to settle any new year’s optimism the New York Times has led off today with this editorial:The Economy and the New Year
How appropriate.
I have… »