An interesting example of correlation vs. causation. Regardless weekly payouts can help to encourage fiscal responsibility and discourage lump-sum (extraordinary) spending. - Eugene Gordin
To me, this negative effect always seemed like the logical outcome of such a program. It's nice to see people working on this important problem, however. Maybe focusing on reversing Reich's "sorting mechanism" isn't the correct path to follow. - Eugene Gordin
This is a really interesting strategy, and definitely one that I agree with. The article does little in terms of VP candidates, but the issues are what matters and McCain will likely follow this plan come August. - Eugene Gordin
I'm not sure I have much more to say on this issue than the following: agreed. North Korea, Iran, and Syria pose significant threats to not only our way of life, but the way of life of much of the world. Dealing with these nations requires insight, force, and diplomacy, and any negotiation lacking any one of these will be both in vain and highly dangerous. - Eugene Gordin
This is a really interesting point and one I hadn't specifically considered. With ever increasing study of the effects of technological advancement, I still can't help but be impressed with the positive, rather than the negative, implications of our transformed world. - Eugene Gordin
Also, "free trade stops wars." This incessant pandering is somewhat necessary but can't help but be insulting to anyone that knows what's going on. Also, according to Robert Reich, Hillary supported NAFTA while in the white house, just not as the first priority (for her that was healthcare). - Eugene Gordin
This is an interesting perspective that you rarely hear on the news or in the papers. My father insists that history will do right by the Bush presidency, but just as this article points out, only time will tell. - Eugene Gordin
Yet another example of life mirroring The West Wing. I don't know the last time I picked up a penny, but I know that if I already had a penny in my pocket, I was probably more annoyed than richer. - Eugene Gordin
Just as with swings in the economy since the 1970s, there seems to be a trend for milder and milder unemployment cycles as time goes on. Are we getting better at controlling inflation and unemployment, or are structural changes in our economy allowing more gentle labor fluctuations? - Eugene Gordin
Really interesting: "Thaler and Sunstein point out that people who save money through a 401(k) often set aside exactly the amount of money that triggers a matching contribution from their employer, no matter how big or small the match. When an employer matches the first 6 percent of salary dollar for dollar, many people will save 6 percent. But they often save just as much when the match is only 50 cents on the dollar. It follows, then, that if a company wanted to nudge its employees to save a little more, it could lift the ceiling for the match while reducing the amount of the match. For instance, it could match up to 10 percent of an employee’s salary, at 30 cents on the dollar." - Eugene Gordin
Between this and the new charter school in NY that's paying teachers over $100k, I think we're moving in the right direction. Lets just hope these aren't isolated aberrations but rather portents of a brighter future. - Eugene Gordin
Even though I don't believe in charging for live show recordings (especially when you paid for tickets to the show anyway), there's still something special about having the exact show you went to. I waited for Iron and Wine to come to the west coast for almost 3 years. It was an amazing show and I'm glad I can own a piece of it. - Eugene Gordin
