There are a number of excellent posts up at Angry Bear. AB proposes a science experiment on Mars that bears an uncanny resemblance to the ethanol program here at home.
Meanwhile, Kash dispels some myths about real estate and calls the top of the housing market.
Atrios notes that those who really believe in a strong dollar policy work at the central banks of Japan and China.
Brad DeLong discusses broadening the tax base by closing loopholes and eliminating the cap on wages subject to FICA taxes. He also sees nothing wrong with raising the marginal rate for the top bracket.
Max lists the ways the current administration is pursuing a policy of “government by time bomb.”
Closer to home (my home that is) the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that in December, Georgia experienced a 65% increase in jobless claims with new claims returning to recession levels:
The December unemployment report for Georgia echoes last week's news that the nation's payrolls barely expanded during the month. But it contrasts with months of reports showing metro Atlanta as a jobs leader.Posted by Dwight Meredith at January 16, 2004 12:37 PM | TrackBackClaims for unemployment benefits surged in some of Georgia's largest metro areas: up 46 percent in metro Atlanta; 60 percent in Macon; 112 percent in Athens; 130 percent in Savannah; and 112 percent in Albany.
More ominously, December's claims did not include the impact of a number of plant closings that have been announced, said Thurmond. "The big layoffs are in the next 60 to 90 days," he said.
Dwight -- Great analogy on the ethanol subsidies. I wonder if there's some way we can pay farmers to either grow food or burn cash on the moon?
AB
AB: The recipe for ethanol is to take one bushel of Iowa corn, add one bushel of taxpaer dollars, mix well and the result is one thimble full of ethanol.
It would be more efficient to just use old fashioned steam engines and fire the boilers with $20 bills.
Posted by: dwight meredith at January 16, 2004 05:52 PM