Category Archives: Banana republic

Senate to Focus on Judicial Confirmations Once Chamber Returns in May

Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell pledges in Tuesday radio interview to focus on securing judicial confirmations once the chamber returns to session in May.

Inequality and the Coronavirus: Destroying American Society From the Top Down

Coronavirus is exposing the severity of inequality in the US, particulary limited access to health care and the health costs of poverty.

Trump Tweet: Will Issue Executive Order Temporarily Suspending All Immigration into the United States

Last night Trump tweeted his intention to issue an executive order temporarily suspending all legal immigration into the United States.

Hissy Fit by CalPERS Board: Falsely Blames Margaret Brown for Staff Leaks of CIO Meng’s $1 Billion Giveup, Public Opposition to Staff Coup

Sports fans, it seems hard to believe, but the CalPERS board has sunk to a new low with an extended display of incompetence and pique.

‘Incrementalism Is Not Helpful in This Moment’: Ocasio-Cortez Rejects Settling for Crumbs in Next Covid-19 Stimulus

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says the U.S. cannot afford another incremental stmulus bill that shovels massive bailouts to big businesses alone.

Great! If COVID-19 Doesn’t Get Me, Perhaps the Mercury Will: Trump EPA Rejects Justification for Pollution Rule

EPA rejects previous cost benefit analysis of mercury rule; meanwhile power industry has spent to comply with rule and opposes backsliding.

Tend Your Own Garden: Personal Food Security During the Age of COVID-19

Worries about food security have led me to send vegetable plants to Mom and a sister; this is a good year to plant a victory garden.

Wolf Richter: Coronavirus Drives Barrage of New Lobbying Activity

Follow the money – Congressional lobbying activity and who wins and who loses from coronavirus relief.

Who Benefits When the Price of Insulin Soars?

Contrary to pharmaceutical company claims, revenue from high insulin prices are going to shareholders, not R&D

Oil, Gas, Petrochemical Financial Woes Predate Pandemic — And Will Continue After, Despite Bailouts, Report Finds

Problems with the oil, gas, and petrchemical industries predate the COVID-19 pandemic – and now will be even more difficult to rseolve.

CalPERS Staff Seeks to Strip Board of Remaining Authority Even as Press Exposes Multi-Billion Cost of Lack of Supervision; Elected Board Members Thumb Nose at Public by Seeking to Be Paid for Doing Almost Nothing

CalPERS staff is up to more dirty tricks. Push back by e-mail in public comments. Bad press already has them on the back foot.

Taleb Questions CalPERS Ben Meng’s Competence and Honesty in Defending Missed $1 Billion Hedge Gain; Taleb Estimates CalPERS Net Loss on Meng’s “Alternative Mitigation” Over Two Years at $19 Billion

Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls out one of CalPERS CIO Ben Meng’s Big Lies, and unearths an even bigger one.

DemocracyWatch: Global Pandemic Power Grabs

Yet another pandemic downside….