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The Empirical Evidence for Fiscal Stimulus…Anyone? Bueller?

In this post Paul Krugman explains that a popular critique of the benefits of fiscal expansion is a non sequitur, since the authors improperly look at deficit spending in periods where there is no liquidity trap (and hence we shouldn’t be surprised if deficit spending doesn’t spur growth). A fair test of Keynesianism would only […]

Bask: Goldman Sachs in the Great Depression

OK kids, I am flying to San Jose tomorrow to be interviewed for a documentary on the Fed, bailouts, etc. I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say about it, but let’s just say they are also interviewing people with the following initials: RP (MD), PK (PhD), and BD (PhD). The director wanted to […]

Glenn Greenwald Shocker: Government Officials Are Often Lying / Wrong

I realize Glenn Greenwald is turning into the Britney Spears of Free Advice, but how can I not repeat stuff like this: If I had the power to have one statement of fact be universally recognized in our political discussions, it would be this one: The fact that the Government labels Person X a “Terrorist” […]

Bill O’Reilly Interviews Jon Stewart

This is one of the most entertaining interviews I’ve ever seen. If you like Jon Stewart and dislike Fox News, you will adore this and make sure you have a half hour to sit and watch it straight through. These guys are great together. It’s true that I think Stewart has the upper hand, but […]

Free Advice on Underarm Perspiration

So I ran to Subway to get lunch. (If you stick to a 6-inch sub and just drink water, you can have plenty of food without spending $4, at least in Nashville.) The girl behind the counter started the sandwich, and then the guy came over to finish it. Then it hit me. Whoa. You’ve […]

Haiti or Bust, v2

Thanks again for everyone who chimed in (both in email and on the blog) in response to my earlier post about Haiti. Believe it or not, there are so many people volunteering to go to Haiti–and their infrastructure is still so compromised–that you have to basically apply for the job. I am still waiting to […]

Two Cheers for the Wall Street Journal

Whenever I see a particularly anti-capitalist Wall Street Journal op ed or editorial I complain, since “they ought to know better.” So I should give positive reinforcement when they get it right. Thursday’s paper contained two op eds that surprised me in how much they differed from the typical debates. First was Michael Barone’s piece […]

The World Is Not a Meritocracy

Two examples: (1) Herman’s Hermits had more chart-toppers than The Hollies. (I think that’s the stat; it’s something along those lines.) (2) Andy Dick charges more for appearances than Louie CK. (Although Louis CK–same guy, different head shot–asks you to contact his agent. Weird. Is that because corporate suits would naturally look up “Louis” whereas […]