Ed Cottrell

  • $7,400,000,000,000

    That’s what the Fed is pledging to “rescue the financial system,” according to Bloomberg.com. That’s 50% of 2007 GDP, or 288% of 2007 federal tax revenues. Makes my prior post sound look like a praise of good budgeting.

  • $4,284,500,000,000

    That’s what the so-called “financial crisis” of 2008 has cost the federal government directly… so far.* Wonder how that stacks up to other crises? CNBC has a slideshow showing the costs (inflation-adjusted) of some of the biggest government projects ever. There are many events not listed in that slide show, of course. Two of the…

  • Brilliant a Cappella Geekery

    For all the Lucas/Spielberg/Williams fans out there (and probably most of the critics, as well), I present the best use of YouTube I have seen in a while. (h/t American Elephants)

  • New Cell Phone Number

    I am ditching my old, Chicago-area code (773) cell phone and switching to a Houston number. Please direct all calls and texts to 713-876-6095. Thanks!

  • The Only Graph You Really Need to Understand the Auto Industry’s Problems

    It’s the best one-image summary of why the Detroit Three are in such hot water, and it’s on Michigan economist Mark Perry’s blog. (h/t Greg Mankiw).