This is the most relevant article to NIH and research cuts I’ve seen. Imagine if this was today , how many people would be saying “Why are we studying Gila Monsters and their impact on diabetes ? That’s wasted money !” globalnews.ca/news/9793403...

I’d appreciate comments. Will RPGs be next?

Here is a link to my new article on the raising rivals cost approach to the Robinson Patman Act. www.promarket.org/category/the...

Proud of my congressman Jamie Raskin. m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo3P...

The history of the Internet youtu.be/Ko8Pz4Y-tYo

Must read article by Mark Lemley

It sounded like the FTC trial team did not think they had enough time. And on the webinar today, it sounded like they did not have the resources for experts. But given that, they probably should’ve dropped the count. like the way the DOJ should’ve dropped AT&T/TW when they drew Judge Leon.

Frog mating weekend

Does this mean that there is going to be an attempted coup either way? Or at least riots

Important study. www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/h...

If every older Democrat successfully explains to a younger person that retaining democracy by electing Biden is essential, then it will be. Trump is more entertaining but detention camps and revitalized Russia power will not be.

NEW: Critics of the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit last week to block the Kroger-Albertsons #merger claim that the agency incorrectly limits the relevant buyer-side market to unionized #grocery workers. @stevesalop.bsky.social argues that the critics are wrong: www.promarket.org/2024/03/06/t...

I'm amused at antitrust lawyers trying to treat the 5th Cir decision in Illumina/Grail as an FTC loss. The Court affirmed the FTC on anticompetitive effects -- a big Win. On the sufficiency of the Illumina's voluntary fix, the Court adopted Comm Wilsons approach, but she rejected that remedy.

Business and economic thought instituted at least since the Reagan Revolution in the US have promoted firms’ narrowly self-interested, profit-maximizing conduct. This paradigm leads to social distrust and insufficient cooperation, @stevesalop.bsky.social explains www.promarket.org/2024/02/13/w...

Why has antitrust enforcement declined in the U.S. since the 1970s? Is it due to the preferences of voters, business influence, or an alternative explanation altogether? @jbbecon.bsky.social critiques the big business capture theory and suggests an alternative. www.promarket.org/2024/02/09/h...

Elon Musk as Milo Minderbinder -- selling Starlink to both Russian and Ukraine.\ www.defenseone.com/threats/2024...

In my Project Syndicate commentary, I provide updated evidence on how the tight labor market has raised real wages for low and middle wage workers, and why policies by JoeBiden deserve credit. 1/

Shift in beer consumption from Bars to Home during pandemic

I have finally finished my article, "The 2023 Merger Guidelines: A Post-Chicago and Neo-Brandeisian Integration" for the Review of Industrial Organization symposium. Comments appreciated. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Krugman yesterday on "Better than Goldilocks Economy." I wish someone would do a retrospective on Paul vs Larry predictions. @claudiasahm.bsky.social

“Inflation has fallen. Why are groceries still so expensive?” This Washington Post headline writer needs to take a little remedial math course

My latest: Yes, Elon Musk met his Tesla targets. No, he still doesn’t deserve the $56 billion Tesla’s board paid him. Pull up a chair and I’ll explain why not.

Modern slavery

Important Steve Schmidt article on slavery and the new Texas standoff. open.substack.com/pub/stevesch...

Quite a story !! Heads will roll. I hope his is not one of them.

Pretty interesting

I definitely was not clear. I meant ethical rules for business people that Economists would buy into.

Ethical Rules for Economists-1 (Please expand) . 1. Avoid Pareto Inferior outcomes. 2. Don't create or threaten negative externalities. 3. Minimize unavoidable negative externalities; compensate where appropriate. 4. Don't exploit decision-making flaws of lower income - vulnerable consumers

When are “breakups” of high tech the best approach to dealing with its antitrust violations, or when will other types of remedies work better? My new piece addressing these issues will be in the Journal of Law and Innovation.  papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Some comments on the JetBlue/Spirit merger opinion. My sense is that DOJ just barely won—the court seemed close to deciding the other way and it came close to inviting the merging firms to try again in the future. Here’s a summary. 1/6

I’m following lots of economists. So you might look at my list to get started building your network. I did this as a public good - like paying taxes, but cheaper

They are Sharpie Stigmata

Definitely worth reading.

With COVID levels so high, many are asking when is a safer time to schedule healthcare appointments, travel etc. It can be helpful to compare COVID wastewater from previous years. In the US, the winter surge usually recedes in March, and levels are lower in spring and summer.

And the judged added: "Spirit is a small airline. But there are those who love it. To those dedicated customers of Spirit, this one's for you," he wrote. "Why? Because the Clayton Act, a 109-year-old statute requires this result — a statute that continues to deliver for the American people."2/2

Maybe the Biden Antitrusters are moving the Overton Window. In blocking the Jet Blue/Spirit merger, the judge referred to JB "gobbling up" Spirit . 1/2

the repubs MO: 1) cut govt service funding 2)complain that service doesnt work 3)defund sevice further bc the it isnt efficient without funding 4)subsidize their private company friends to do the service badly 5) get a kickback from said friends

Aspirational ?

What you Thomas Jefferson think about this piracy? www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF72...

I have posted on SSRN my My draft article for the RIO symposium on the new Merger Guidelines: "The 2023 Merger Guidelines: A Post-Chicago and Neo-Brandeisian Integration" Comments welcome! papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Republican governors:

No one says it better than Steve Schmidt. open.substack.com/pub/stevesch...

So was big business behind the decline of antitrust enforcement? See the debate between Eric Posner and Jon Baker in the the current Antitrust Law Journal (85 Anti.LJ 441 & 521).

The circle of life.

Hydroxychloroquine, A Drug Trump Promoted To Treat Covid-19, Linked To 17,000 Deaths, Estimates Show www.forbes.com/sites/joshua...

Chicken: a game played by “youthful degenerates” and powerful countries.

Stiglitz on frozen Russian deposits. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/s...