February 9, 2018
Originally appeared in the New York Times. In August 2015, the leading Washington budget watchdog predicted that the federal deficit would total about $600 billion the next year. Now, just about two and a half years later, the projected gap for 2019 has grown to $1.2 trillion, in large part because of a boisterous round […]
January 22, 2018
Originally appeared in the The New York Times. Hardly a day goes by without President Trump tweet-bragging about the relentless rise of the stock market to fresh record highs — Exhibit A in his mind about how he is, indeed, making America great again. But, while strong equity markets are certainly a Good Thing, let’s not […]
December 31, 2017
Originally appeared in The New York Times. The overbearing persona of President Trump dominated 2017. From his angry early morning tweets to the stain of corruption bleeding into his administration to the sharp rightward tilt in his governing philosophy, Mr. Trump in his first year in office could not stand in starker contrast to his […]
November 3, 2017
Originally appeared in the The New York Times. In my career, I have been a substantial beneficiary of the so-called “carried interest” loophole, the tax provision that provides an indefensibly lower tax rate on profits earned by private equity investors, hedge fund operators, real estate developers (presumably including President Trump) and the like. And I continue […]
November 2, 2017
Originally Appeared in The New York Times. Perhaps not surprisingly, President Trump seemed to treat the appointment of a new head of the Federal Reserve — arguably the most important personnel decision he has faced — a bit like a season of “The Bachelor,” dangling tantalizing hints before handing the rose to Jerome H. Powell. In […]
October 24, 2017
Originally appeared in the The New York Times. Repeal-and-replace may be done for now, but for Senator Bernie Sanders, the war is just beginning — and it has already become a fracas that is dividing the Democratic Party, to its detriment. Mr. Sanders — who, of course, isn’t even a registered Democrat — is banging […]
August 22, 2017
Originally Appeared in The New York Times. The Congressional Budget Office never exuded sex appeal, at least not until recently. Its bland office building, which sits unobtrusively by a freeway in southwest Washington, houses an often-overlooked assemblage of wonkish economists whose idea of professional happiness is producing 10-year fiscal forecasts. Nevertheless, it’s an agency of […]
August 15, 2017
Originally appeared in The New York Times. Health insurance premiums for 2018 are on the rise for many, and for that, most of the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of President Trump. In recent days, a bevy of insurers have announced significant increases for Americans who purchase their coverage on the exchanges: a minimum of […]
July 13, 2017
Originally appeared in The New York Times. The latest version of the Republican health care bill was unveiled today and within moments, two Republican senators announced their opposition. One more “no” and the bill goes down. That may lead to renewed talk of the fanciful notion of a bipartisan compromise between the more moderate elements […]
June 30, 2017
Originally appeared in The New York Times. A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to be invited to present my thoughts on the state of manufacturing in America to the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, headed by Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The thrust of my message was that, regrettably, we should be leery […]