1
The Terrible Ethical Calculus of Catastrophe
Let us say you know a catastrophe is coming, and you cannot stop it and
thus save everyone What do you do? You start making choices about who to
save. Not just their lives, but their stuff and their power. Catastrophes
often lead to changes in societies, but sometimes they don’t. The 1929
stock market […]
The legendary boiled frog is a better model than the Russian revolution.
The world is ending with a whimper.
2
Trump’s Trade War and Its Many Fronts
Mexico, China, Europe, Canada: The White House’s various conflicts add up
to a broad assault on a postwar effort to build economic ties around the
world.
Yes.
3
Personal Income Increased 0.5% in April, Real PCE declined slightly
The BEA released the Personal Income and Outlays, April 2019:
*Personal income increased $92.8 billion (0.5 percent) in April* according
to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable
personal income (DPI) increased $69.3 billion (0.4 percent) and *personal
consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $40.8 billion (0.3 percent)*.
Real DPI increased 0.1 percent in April and *Real PCE decreased less than
0.1 percent*. The PCE price index increased 0.3 percent.* Excluding food
and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.2 percent*.
The increases in personal inc... more »
The distribution of wealth and income is so uneven that this number indicates a loss of income
for most.
4
Long at the Fringe, Gun Issues Loom Large for Democratic Candidates
After years of failed efforts to enact federal universal background checks
for new gun purchases, several candidates are on the leading edge of a push
for more aggressive anti-gun measures
Guns shoot.
Truely people kill people.
The desire is to stop the killing.
Campaigning on gun controle is not a practical approach.
5
Mueller Played by the Rules. Trump Made New Ones.
The special counsel led an investigation that was disciplined, quiet, and
by the book — and the president seized the opportunity.
Congress must do its duty.
Building the case for impeachment.
A political process.
6
Biden Campaign Names Cedric Richmond as National Co-Chairman
The Times spoke to Mr. Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and former
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, about his new role with the
campaign.
Biden is not my choice of candidate.
Great wealth is the opponent of democratic government.
7
On Politics: Trump to Hit Mexico With Tariffs
NYT > Politics - 8 hours ago
The president plans to impose a 5 percent tariff on all imported goods from
Mexico, a tax that would “gradually increase” until the flow of immigrants
across the border stopped.
Trump is wrong to try to dominate through taxation of trade.
8
Authorities Subpoena Information on Andrew Gillum’s 2018 Campaign
Mr. Gillum, who lost his race for Florida governor, had previously been
shadowed by an F.B.I. inquiry into city government in Tallahassee, where he
was mayor.
Andrew Gillum might have assaulted corruption in Florida.
The investigation is suspect.
9
Supreme Court Won’t Stay Alabama Execution After Bitter Clash
Christopher Lee Price’s case prompted an anguished middle-of-the-night
dissent in April that opened a window on angry divisions at the court.
The argument is moot.
10
Trump Says U.S. Will Hit Mexico With 5% Tariffs on All Goods
The president said he would use tariffs to punish Mexico until it stops the
flow of migrants into the United States.
It is doubtful the tariffs will have the desired effect.
11
Barr Says Mueller Could Have Decided Whether Trump Committed a Crime
The attorney general reiterated his view that the special counsel should
not have conducted an investigation if he did not plan to make a
prosecutorial decision.
Barr is quoting Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/us/politics/mueller-trump.html
12
The Split-Screen Primary
In the On Politics newsletter: Presidential candidates are perfecting the
art of talking to the media about impeachment, and of talking to voters
about issues.
Trump will not be removed from office while Republicans control the Senate.
The voters are showing good sense.
13
Friday: Personal Income and Outlays, Chicago PMI
Friday:
• At 8:30 AM ET, *Personal Income and Outlays, April 2019*. The consensus
is for a 0.3% increase in personal income, and for a 0.2% increase in
personal spending. And for the Core PCE price index to increase 0.2%.
• At 9:45 AM, *Chicago Purchasing Managers Index* for May.
• At 10:00 AM, *University of Michigan's Consumer sentiment index* (Final
for May). The consensus is for a reading of 101.0.
Noise at this time.
14
On the Abortion Issue, Pence Leads the Way
President Trump may be the louder voice on the issue, but the vice
president is the one many evangelicals hear.
Pence does not live in this world.
15
House Will Not Act on Disaster Relief Until Next Week
Representative John Rose, Republican of Tennessee, used the power of a
single lawmaker to object to final passage of a disaster relief package by
unanimous consent.
Sadly true.
16
Unhappy With Findings, Agriculture Department Plans to Move Its Economists Out of Town
The relocation is viewed by critics as the latest case of the Trump
administration stifling the work of nonpartisan experts.
"Talk to the hand"
The administration does not want information.
17
New Democratic Debate Rules Will Distort Priorities, Some Campaigns Say
A threshold of 130,000 donors will force campaigns to spend more on digital
ads they hope will go viral, an expensive redirection of resources, some
campaigns said.
The primary process is intended to discover the potential winners.
18
May Vehicle Sales Forecast: "Sales Slow, Discounts Rise"
From JD Power: Sales Slow, Discounts Rise—But Average Prices Break Records
New-vehicle retail sales in May are expected to fall from a year ago,
according to a forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.
Retail sales are projected to reach 1,226,800 units, a 3.1% decrease
compared with May 2018. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for
retail sales is expected to be 13.5 million units, down nearly 200,000 from
a year ago.
May will be the fifth consecutive month in 2019 to experience a sales
decline, with calendar year-to-date sales through May expected to ... more »
Cars are not selling well.
19
Trump’s Metals Tariffs Raised Consumer Prices, Added Some Jobs
There are few signs of the industrial renaissance the president promised
from taxes on steel and aluminum imports.
These commodity industries are cheaper overseas.
20
Black Voters Challenge House Members: Why Is Trump Still in Office?
While House Democratic leaders agonize, black voters want President Trump
impeached, and their ardor on the subject is driving their representatives.
The Republicans want him.
Pence would not be better.
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