The trade deficit (total and ex-oil) widens again.
A proposal for Iraq
Here are some thoughts on how to get the vast oil wealth of Iraq working most quickly and effectively to benefit the Iraqi people.
US-centered vs. China (or “them”)-centered Worldviews on Global Imbalances
Chinese foreign exchange reserves and current account surpluses are (still) rising. Why and how important is this phenomenon?
Gold and inflation
What’s behind the ongoing run-up in gold prices? One popular interpretation is that investors fear a resurgence of U.S. inflation. But that story just doesn’t square with the facts.
Bob Dylan and Twyla Tharp: An Econbrowser musical review
Right Wing Bob complains that he can’t find a review of the new Twyla Tharp Bob Dylan musical anywhere on the web. Who is Right Wing Bob, you ask? Well, he seems to be the guy with whose lament you end up if you try googling “Bob Dylan Twyla Tharp.” So, as a service to RWB and the world at large, Econbrowser offers this musical review.
Some context for the annual benchmark revision of employment
(Revised) Employment growth is up, but (revised) employment is down.
Latest employment data
The latest employment data are quite encouraging, though some may have overstated the case for enthusiasm.
Should the Fed worry about going too far?
I wanted to weigh in on the exchange between Kash Mansori at Angry Bear and Dave Altig at Macroblog.
Are the oil companies earning enough profits yet?
“Drivers Upset By Record Oil Company Profits”, reports CBS3 News in Philadelphia, and quotes one driver as describing the oil companies as: “Robbers, thieves, taking advantage of the people.”
Autos and the U.S. economy
A number of analysts have suggested that autos play a much less significant role in the U.S. economy today than they have historically. The data from 2005 would seem to call that conclusion into question.