TPS

That's the economist in me, since discretionary spending is directly counted in GDP stats (the 'G' part) and non-discretionary is counted as a transfer to households, so it shows up in the consumption category. I focused on discretionary because neither party has been very willing to touch non-disc, and non-discretionary is influenced by the baby-boom bubble and rising healthcare costs. You can't blame a president or Congress for people getting older. Yes, SS and Medicare are the most important issues going forward, because of the two factors cited above. However, when you look at federal discretionary spending, it's currently at the low end historically. The original point, Keynesian stimulus (measured in discretionary spending) was implemented from 2009-2011; discretionary spending peaked at 9.1% in 2010, and is now down to 6.6% of GDP. Non-discretionary was steadily rising throughout the 2000s (10.2% in 2000 to 11.4% in 2007), then unemployment payments, as a result of the crisis, caused a dramatic increase to 15.9% in 2009, falling to 13.8% in 2014, and has ticked back up to 14.3% in 2015. The TOTAL impact (Disc + Non-Disc) from government declined from a peak of 24.4% in 2009 to 20.4% in 2014 (it increased to 20.7% in 2015). Essentially, the overall impact of the federal government has been declining since 2009. State and local spending has declined (as a share of GDP) since 2010 as well. I'm all for a discussion on the total, but the drivers of non-discretionary spending are structural, not some form of Keynesian stimulus policy.

Let me guess, you don't know the difference between discretionary and non-discretionary spending? If you didn't know, there's this demographic bubble called the baby-boom generation....

The share of federal spending is the lowest it's been in almost 15 years, and has been declining since 2010. Total government spending has been declining since 2009, and you'd have to go back to the 1980s to find a lower share of GDP. "A guy I talked to." You sound like Trump. "People say" ... any data or studies to back it up? The environment at the time also was in the middle of the crisis! As the IMF has shown, countries that pursue greater fiscal contraction over the passed 8 years or so have experienced slower growth. We are not in some supply constrained world, we suffer from insufficient demand associated with the worst level of inequality among the advanced nations. I am not advocating short term stimulus. It has been a structural issue associated with household debt. We bailed out the banks and took most of the crap off their balance sheets. Households, on the other hand, have been reducing their debt load since 2007, and consumer spending is what drives the economy. Investment spending by businesses responds to demand. A generation of new households is constrained by student debt, which means low household formation, home ownership, etc. We will experience slow growth until that gets resolved, unless there is some new innovation that helps create a bubble. How do you derive that conclusion? Central banks of the world are telling governments they can't do it alone--pumping money doesn't work when there's insufficient demand. The US for one; and the UK has also. As mention above, Federal spending as a share of GDP is the lowest it's been since 2001/2. In fact, the most fiscally conservative president since 1980? Bill Clinton. Check the numbers.

No. The advanced countries are all struggling because they have relied on the belief that monetary policy could kick start a post debt-deflation world,while at the same time pursuing fiscal austerity. Meanwhile inequality continues to worsen--yes, even under Obama-- which means more money chasing risky assets when yields are near zero and going negative. You can't fix this economy with the failed policies of supply-side--cutting regulations and taxes on the top won't generate more business sales. This country needs some dramatic policy changes focused on stimulating consumption, and nothing will generate solid growth until that happens.

Of the G-7, which country has the highest 10-year government bond yield? do you think the US experience is unique?

No one eats shares of stock....You aren't complaining about those high prices are you? Duh! Since commodity prices are so volatile, the Fed and most analysts focus on the "Core CPI."

And still no significant inflation after all these years. Long time no argue M. Hope life has been treating you well.

You are probable right about this, which is why he usually relies on bringing in players from his previous stop when he gets a new job. He's got Rob and Ed Reed to help with that this year.

I didn't see this in a topic title, if it's being discussed already, please move. The ESPN article linked on TBD is a very good piece on the Ryan brothers and what may be their last stand. Hate Rex or love him, I hope he and Rob do Buddy proud this year.

I think it's going to be really tough to top his 2017 draft...

certainly the communication was an issue, but the Bills have not been good at stopping the run in a very long time. I think that is the biggest difference, and IF it carries into the season, the D will be top 10.

Tasker made a comment in the first preseason game related to this, which I'm sure is what the poster is referring to. Something like the LT position allows him to get his initial step with his good leg/knee. Don't know to what extent it's true.

I wonder if he'd say the same thing to someone who said Rex is an extrovert?

or graduated from his university...

You hit the nail. Trump's inability to control himself is going to make his rational supporters (a minority) take irrational positions in order to continue supporting him.

This guy wasn't caught off guard: predicted coup

Papa Jakes did close. There is a new restaurant that opened but I haven't heard much about it, which can't be good. Casey's on Amherst street is a worthy fish fry substitute. I heard Martin Cooks is closing/moving??? Nice work.

Agreed. Only on tv unfortunately...

given targaryan history, it's possible that Jon and Dany hook up in more ways than one? Also, I'd take Dany and her dragons over Jon and his wolf all day against the night King.

i had the same thought.Next season I will expect bad things any time they show cersei pouring a glass of wine...

👍

Pretty incredible end to the season. Most loose ends have been tied, setting the stage for Dany taking back the throne from Cersei as the main story for season 7, then the battle with the dead in the final season. Interesting that B&W make no mention of the Tower of Joy scene in their post-episode discussion...? Yes DC, they are going to need and use a lot of $$ on these last two seasons. I think we'll get some Movie-quality episodes. Now all we can do is wait...

Holy ****!

gosh, they might have talked?

they are the best in wny. Very authentic. I usually get 1 carne asada and 1 barbacoa. The asada is steak and the other is a saucy shredded beef. 2 is sufficient for me, but you'll be working up an appetite. They sell beer there too.