The Washington Post today reports various utilities are experimenting with peak-hour pricing for electricity. The utilities use “smart meters” to report energy use in 15-minute segments and e-mail and text messages to alert customers that local power use is peaking. That’s a great idea, it’s an example of how we can use relatively unsophisticated computer […]
Two pieces in the MSM flagships today on one theme – fairness. In the New York Times, Paul Krugman compares Barack Obama’s health plan to John Edwards’s and Hillary Clinton’s and finds it wanting. The reason: Mr. Obama would not make health insurance mandatory. People could choose to remain uninsured, then opt into the system […]
… as those who will not see. Sunday’s New York Times has a story about how the American business community is rushing the doors at the White House, hoping to get all sorts of lax regulations and deals in place before George Bush goes out the door in 2009. Anticipating Democratic gains in both houses […]
This is why we’re doomed when it comes to global warming. The science in clear and abundant, sensible options for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide are many and available – although each will require some inconvenience and cost. Our leaders, however, who can see no interest beyond their own terms of office, will only commit […]
Cambridge Energy Research Associates is likely to release the 2008 edition of its “Gasoline and the American People” report soon. Before they do, I’d like to call attention a telling statistic from the 2007 edition: Number of cars per thousand of population: United States: – 1,148 India – 11 China – 9 It’ll be interesting […]
The WaPo’s Eugene Robinson has similar thoughts about the American dream and the disappearing middle class, but has a better bunch of stats to back it up. (Hey, he gets paid for doing this…)
Working Class Middle Class
Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you’re enjoying the day away from work and with family and friends. On our semi-secular holiday, we give thanks not only for what we have, but also for the blessings we anticipate in the year to come. We anticipate blessings, both small and large. Someone in the family may be looking […]