1
Trump Lawyer Tells Treasury Not to Give Democrats Tax Returns
A private lawyer retained by President Trump to fight Democratic demands
for his tax returns told the Treasury Department that the request is an
abuse of power.
"Paul KrugmanVerified account @paulkrugman
Oh, and PS: Please don't report that Democrats "requested" Trump's tax returns, or anything like that. They demanded the returns, to which they are legally entitled. Failure to deliver them is just breaking the law 6/"
2
In New York, 2020 Democrats Offer a Range of Views on Racial Justice
The candidates addressed the annual conference of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s
National Action Network, an essential event for Democrats seeking higher
office.
I do not know what racial justice would be.
the balance would require the attention of a court and would satusfy none of the contestants.
It is a formula for war.
3
Public and Private Sector Payroll Jobs During Presidential Terms
By request, here is another update of tracking employment during
Presidential terms. We frequently use Presidential terms as time markers -
we could use Speaker of the House, Fed Chair, or any other marker.
NOTE: Several readers have asked if I could add a lag to these graphs
(obviously a new President has zero impact on employment for the month they
are elected). But that would open a debate on the proper length of the lag,
so I'll just stick to the beginning of each term.
Important: There are many differences between these periods. Overall
employment was smaller in the '80s, howe... more »
An honest picture.
4
Guantánamo Trials Grapple With How Much Evidence to Allow About Torture
The military tribunals originally barred public mention of what happened at
C.I.A. prisons. Now a key question is what evidence terrorism suspects can
use as the cases inch forward.
The camp was a crime under US and international law.
5
U.S. Acknowledges Airstrike in Somalia Caused Civilian Deaths
The announcement comes after Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, the head of Africa
Command, ordered a review of all airstrikes conducted in Somalia since 2017.
Air strikes kill all in the target area.
6
Waiting for Asylum in the United States, Migrants Live in Fear in Mexico
Hundreds of Central American migrants who are seeking asylum in the United
States could soon be sent to wait in Mexico under a policy that has been
expanded by the Trump administration.
Trump is a sadist.
7
At War: Bad Food, Broken-Down Trucks: What It’s Like to Be a U.S. Soldier on the Mexico Border
This unit returned from Afghanistan in November. But an internal report to
headquarters reveals that its new living conditions aren’t much better.
Trump is a sadist.
Time differences are smaller.
8
‘He Gave Me Permission’: Biden Tries to Push Past Touching Controversy
NYT > Politics - 4 hours ago
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. twice joked about hugging during
a speech at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers conference.
Yes.
9
Seeking ‘Tougher’ Direction for ICE, Trump Withdraws His Nominee
The president pulled his choice to run the immigration enforcement agency
just hours before he left for a California border town to address what he
considers to be a crisis at the border.
Gestapo lite.
10
Veblen’s idea of business versus industry
THIS POST IS BY TONY WIKRENT I had wanted to reply to comments in the
thread of Economics as Cultural Warfare: The Case of Adam Smith,
where bruce wilder makes an important correction to my view of Smith:
“Smith’s central argument rather famously is that the division of labor is
the primary source of wealth!” Which of […]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorstein_Veblen
Interesting.
11
Q1 GDP Forecasts: 1.5% to 2.0% Range
From Merrill Lynch:
*We are tracking 1.9% qoq saar for 1Q GDP growth*. Retail sales and capex
data this week had little impact on tracking, while strong construction and
inventory reports mostly offset consumption weakness at the end of the
prior week. [April 5 estimate]
emphasis added
From Goldman Sachs:
Our *Q1 GDP tracking estimate rose by one tenth to +1.5%* (qoq ar). [April
5 estimate]
From the NY Fed Nowcasting Report
The New York Fed Staff Nowcast stands at *1.4% for 2019:Q1* and 1.9% for
2019:Q2 [Apr 5 estimate].
And from the Altanta Fed: GDPNow
The GDPNow model estima... more »
"Figures don't lie but liars sure figure."
12
Finding Biden in Familiar Fix, President Trump Adds a Jab
President Trump’s response seemed like a typical partisan jab, except for
the fact that it was issued by a man who has been accused by more than a
dozen women of sexual misconduct and assault.
Campaign now when it is cheap.
13
Trump Says Fed Should Cut Rates and Lift Economy
President Trump said on Friday that he wanted another round of quantitative
easing from the central bank.
Inflation for Trump but not for me.
14
Modern Monetary Theory Finds an Embrace in an Unexpected Place: Wall Street
M.M.T.’s fans include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders — and
financial analysts at Goldman Sachs, Nomura and GMO.
Paul Krugman Retweeted
Remember, any time you formalize MMT, the MMT Sages will tell you "No, that is not MMT". And the reason they do this is because formal models, unlike the pronouncements of sages, are subject to criticism from outsiders.
15
Critics to Joe Biden: You’re Missing the Point
Joe Biden says he will be “more mindful” of personal space because of
changing “social norms.” But some of his accusers say it’s not norms that
have changed, it’s the conversation.
Yes.
Joe Biden is not holding that fight.
16
Trump Heads to the Border After Backing Off His Threat to Close It
The president’s visit to a border town in California is intended to
highlight what the president and his aides say is an out-of-control
immigration crisis.
These are imperialists.
17
Joe Biden Jokes About Hugging in a Speech, Then Offers a Mixed Apology
“I’m sorry I didn’t understand more,” Mr. Biden said about his hugs and
kisses to women over the years. “I’m not sorry for any of my intentions.”
Joe Biden did not write his speech.
18
Trump Is Being Vague About What He Wants to Replace Obamacare. But There Are Clues.
The three leading G.O.P. health care proposals all involve block grants.
Those plans are hard to square with the president’s promises to lower
premiums and deductibles.
Trump cannot replace Obama-care.
The alternatives are less acceptable.
Heritage Foundation wrote Obama-care.
19
House Adds Lawsuit to Challenges Against Trump’s Emergency Declaration
The House will formally file a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s
declaration of a national emergency at the southwestern border, joining
several others.
Do what works.
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