Further Data Points For The Trend X...

This morning two further points. But for once, one of them is positive.

First this.

It is indicative of the contempt that the current administration holds for the media: of course, the media have earned it.

At least it is finally public, albeit not something that is going to be discussed in ... the media. Of course it can't be: that would endanger access, wouldn't it?

At this point in time, I wouldn't give a journalist the time of day. Seldom has a profession fallen so far.

But on a more positive note, this.

Finally, a recognition of where the real problems lie:

You talk about systemic risk. The systemic risk today is the Congress of the United States.

Said not by me, but by the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg.

Further:

Standards of living will drop if we keep this up.

Bingo. Too few see that the standards of living of over 300mn are being sacrificed because perhaps 35mn don't have health insurance (regardless of the reasons why).

Too bad that he isn't seeking re-election. Of course if he was, he probably wouldn't have put this quite so bluntly.