~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; Trump presser; AOC loses key vote; Mystery drones; Crisis hotline for CEOs ~
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Tom Neuburger: Why CEOs and the Very Rich Should Receive Enhanced Protection
Why CEOs and squillionaries deserve the very best protection money can buy.
History Repeats in Catalonia, As Rent Strike Begins
The “revolt of the keys” has started, says the Tenants’ Union. But what chance of success does it have?
From Marine Reserve to Military Base: Washington and Ecuador’s Quiet Plans for the Galapagos Islands
Normally, when a Latin American government passes legislation that contravenes its national constitution, shrieks of outrage inevitably follow from Western governments. Not this time.
It Is Possible to Have a Flat Tax, or to Have Democracy, but Not Both
Why a flat tax is yet another scheme to further enrich the rich and weaken the political power of ordinary citizens.
Rebooting Antitrust’s Economic Theory to Focus on Social Welfare
New Brandesians oppose the flawed mainstream antitrust “consumer welfare” theory. A social welfare standard would be even better
2:00PM Water Cooler 12/16/2024
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; DOGE; Kamala’s future. If any; The state of tech: like industrial chemical accident; Covid wastewater: Good news ~
Misperceptions and Demand For Democracy under Authoritarianism
Addressing misperceptions may lead to greater public demand for democracy, suggesting that accurate information campaigns could help challenge authoritarian narratives.
The US Is Left Out in the Cold as China and Russia Develop Arctic
RAND proposes familiar blunders to deal with rival powers’ partnership — one that Washington helped instigate.
Zeitgeist Watch: Wall Street Journal Readers Criticize Article Defending Illegal Immigration Because Employers
Presumed pro-business Wall Street Journal readers are largely unsympathetic to employers pleading to keep temporary visa staffers.
Why Population Aging Demands Looking Beyond Chronological Age
Experts are trying to get a handle on biological aging of the population, as opposed to calendar ages. But are the methods all that good?
Game of Drones: “Watch the Skies!”
Several theories for the rash of drone sightings in New Jersey
