A look at the US’s flagging economic model and how the Trump trade war will affect the US, China, and other counties.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Coffee Break: Notes on Pandemic Responses, a Human Pathogen that Eats the Plastic of Medical Devices, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services Speaks Out
Part the First: Retrospective Notes on a Pandemic. BMJ, formerly known as the British Medical Journal, has recently published two interesting pieces on COVID-19. The first is an analysis by Anthony Costello, who was previously Director of Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health at the World Heath Organization: UK decision not to suppress covid raises questions […]
Japan to Arm Wrestle the US About Tariffs….and What About Restrictions on Chinese Investments and Products?
Japan wanted an early US trade deal. It is discovering that its sort-of special relationship with the US is not getting it any breaks.
US Looks to Escalate Its Economic War Against the World’s Poorest By Taxing Remittance Payments
Paradoxically, this is likely to create more, not less, illegal immigration to the US.
Book Review: A Skeptical Look at Grand Designs for the Future
A harsh look at schemes for a happy future, at least for billionaires, which ignore their problems and excuse tolerating rot today.
Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Prove the Sickness at the Heart of the NHS
Most users of GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic need to stay on them long-term to keep pound off. So is medicine promoting an addicition?
Big Law Deals With Trump Are Backfiring on Top Firms
Major law firms in a storng position to fight Trump diktats about backing conservative interests are paying a price for selling out.
Trump Smoke and Mirrors on Full Display in Claimed “$142 Billion” Saudi Arms Deal
A look at the workings and effectiveness of Trump hype, from the touted India-Pakistan mediation to DOGE to the new Saudi arms agreement.
Wall Street Journal Reports UnitedHealth Under Criminal Investigation for Medicare Fraud
The Department of Justice is reportedly seeking to indict UnitedHealth for Medicare Advantage fraud. Why has it been so hard to make a case?
When Illusions of Wealth Shape the Economy: Understanding Pseudo-Wealth, Macroeconomic Volatility, and Social Welfare
Why pseudo-wealth like crypto is detrimental to social welfare, as in the collective good.
Despite China’s Warning, US Has Opened New Front in Trade War with Investment Restrictions in UK Pact
Trump made a big retreat on his China tariffs. But a second gambit, investment restrictions to isolate China, is already giving China fits.
Abundance vs. Degrowth in a Time of Climate Catastrophe
While Trump’s Liberation Day policies might bring about accidental degrowth, Democrats embrace DOGE-style Abundance. Is there another way?
