Friday, September 19, 2025

2:00PM Water Cooler 2/12/2021

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

The Bank of England Should Stop Broadcasting the Views of a Comfortable Financial Elite

A “put foot in mouth and chew” episode from Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane.

Links 2/12/2021

The Chip Shortage: Brought to You By American Neoliberalism

While the chip shortage will sort itself out in the next six months, the US can’t remedy its dependence on foreigners for critical supplies.

Big Money Drove the Congressional Elections—Again

The press account of the 2020 Congressional races got the money part completely wrong: Republican outspending was key to their wins.

Why Amazon Is Fighting So Hard to Stop Warehouse Workers From Unionizing

Amazon has much to answer for, like wage theft and brutal workplace condidtion, and is throwing its muscle behind not being held to account.

2:00PM Water Cooler 2/11/2021

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Why U.S. Labor Laws Need a Major Update—The PRO Act Is a Great Start

Biden is proposing some significant changes to labor law. Does the legislation live up to its billing?

Links 2/11/2021

The Most Fragile Oil Price Rally In History

Some of the economic forecasts underlying the bullish oil price views are so sunny I’m gonna need shades.

As Pandemic Surged, Contact Tracing Struggled; Biden Looks to Boost It

Biden still wants to ramp up contact tracing. But will it really do much good in the US?

The Dangers of Sustainability Metrics

A favorite topic: the downside of fetishinzing metrics.

2:00PM Water Cooler 2/10/2021

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Monetary Policy and Racial Inequality

Monetary policy does not lift boats in at all the same way.

Links 2/10/2021