Monthly Archives: October 2012

The Facts on U.S. Fossil Fuel Production

Contrary to what you may have heard U.S. fossil fuel production is at an all time high (first graph), producing almost 85% of its fossil fuel consumption (second graph).                 Related posts U.S. … Continue reading

Posted in Economy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Anti-Science, Anti-, Fact Crowd Now Attacks Nate Silver

Well, the anti-science, anti-fact group is at it again. This time their target is Nate Silver, the turned baseball statistician/forecaster to political campaign predictor. It appears that because Silver’s data shows President Obama has a higher probability at winning the … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clinton Speech at North Iowa Area Community College

Former President Bill Clinton just finished a speech at my former college, the North Iowa Area Community College. Whether you agree with Clinton or not, if you are interested in politics and how to make a case, there are few … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Elections, Government, Health, Health, Higher Education, Income Distribution, Inequality, Presidential Leadership, Socio-economic Status, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Wall Street Journal Ignores Relevant Studies on Income Inequality

In an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal Kevin Hassett and Aparna Mathur argue that income inequality is greatly exaggerated because inequality studies “leave out too much” — such as employer-provided benefits, government-provided benefits and taxes. Ignoring the safety net, … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Government, Income Distribution, Inequality, Socio-economic Status, Taxes, Wealth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fiscal Cliff Could Cost the U.S. 5.1% of GDP

If Congress doesn’t take action the U.S. will automatically fall into a fiscal cliff with huge impacts on our economy. Quartz’ Tim Fernholz reports: Absent new action, next year the US government’s budget footprint will contract more rapidly than those of Greece, … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Channeling Mitt Romney’s Mind on Privatizing Responses to Natural Disasters

At the Republican primary campaign debate last year: MITT ROMNEY: “Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that’s the right direction. And if you can go even … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Elections, Government, Presidential Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nate Silver’s Oct. 28th Electoral College and Popular Vote Predictions

Update: Nate Silver’s October 28th predictions: State-by-state probabilities:  

Posted in Elections, Government | Leave a comment

The Des Moines Register’s Endorsement of Romney Doesn’t Conform to the Facts

The Des Moines Register’s endorsement of Governor Romney is based on the view that the candidate will improve the economy, create new jobs and reduce the deficit. The endorsement also has great expectations for Romney’s ability to bring Democrats and … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Elections, Government, Income Distribution, Inequality, Presidential Leadership, Taxes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is the Stock Market an Accurate Predictor of Presidential Elections?

The New York Times examined the relationship between the Dow Jones Industrial Average and presidential election outcomes. Their data yielded the following conclusion: “In general, voters have tended to throw out the incumbent party after four-year periods when the Dow … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Elections, Government | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do Natural Disasters Effect Votes?

After watching the latest forecast associated with Hurricane Sandy’s likely path effecting the lives and property of 66 million people in the northeast I couldn’t help but pray for all of our fellow citizens in Sandy’s path. Sitting and waiting … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Government | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment