Category Archives: Regulations and regulators

Trade and Political Power: The Past and Possible Ways Forward

The evolution of the post World War II trade framework and potential progressive responses to the downside for workers.

Cringley: How Silicon Valley Can Sidestep Trump H-1B Visa Restrictions

Why restrictions on H-1B visas may not do much for tech workers.

China Banks in 2017: No Rebound in Sight, Rising Risks for Smaller Banks

Why there is no cause for cheer on the China banking front.

Is Inequality a Political Choice?

International comparisons on inequality do not put the US in a good light. Quelle surprise!

‘Biggest Oil Find’ of 2016 Puts Crown Jewel Texas Oasis in Crosshairs for Fracking

Texas is about to sacrifice one of its few sources of fresh water, as well as the wildlife in the area, to the oil industry.

Scott Pruitt Will Make America Great Again — For Polluters

Among Trump’s cabinet nominees, Scott Pruitt stands out in a bad way. Bill Moyers explains how he has represented energy interests over voters

Bill Black: Why the Republicans Cannot “Replace” Obamacare

Why the Republicans will kill Obamacare or have to live with it in more or less its present form.

Nomi Prins: Trump Hearts Goldman as the Bank Continues Its Washington Conquest

How Goldman became influential in DC and is likely to influence Trump’s policies.

Waste Not, Want Not: Right to Repair Laws on Agenda in Some States

Right to repair laws are back on the agenda in five states. These measures would reduce costs and waste, and promote local repair services.

How Obama Framed Trump with Faux Mortgage Insurance Rate Decrease

There are many things for progressives to criticize Trump about. The Obama mortgage deduction sleight of hand isn’t one of them.

Brexit: Why Rescue by Trump, Meaning Via a US-UK Trade Deal, Is a Fantasy

Just because Trump gets on with Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage does not mean that a trade pact with the US will be a salvation for the UK.

Republicans to Use CRA to Roll Back ‘Midnight’ Rules and Benefit Oil Companies

Next week, Congress will begin to use the Congressional Review Act to roll back recently-issued federal rules; oil and other companies will benefit.

Bill Black: Not 4 Sale – Why the Corrupt, Worker-Hating New Democrats Must Be Purged

Why the corporate and finance funded, labor-loathing New Democrats have been a disaster for the party and America and need to go.

America’s Coming Water Affordability Crisis

A symptom of pressure on water quality and supply: over 40 million American citizens may be unable to afford water in the next five years.

Wolf Richter: Judge Reveals Shady Side of Crushed Aetna-Humana Merger, Banks to Lick their Wounds, Aetna to Get Pummeled

Yesterday, a federal judge blocked Aetna’s $34-billion acquisition of Humanam, citing concerns that their combined pricing power would raise costs to consumers.