The passing scene – August 17, 2015

Seven Myths about the Greek Debt Crisis by Stergios Skaperdas, a University of California economics professor.  (Hat tip to naked capitalism).

An economist argues that (1) default would not be the worst outcome for Greece, (2) the troika (European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Commission) is not trying to rescue Greece, (3) Greece’s problems are not caused by corruption and bad policy, (4) no Greek government could have carried out the troika’s policies, (5) the troika’s policies would not have benefited Greece, (6) exiting the Eurozone would not be catastrophic for Greece and (7) the Greek government in fact does have bargaining power.

Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Care That Much About Abortion Rights by Ted Rall for Counterpunch.

Instead of trying to persuade judges that abortion is a constitutional right, why don’t Hillary Clinton and other liberal Democrats support legislation to guarantee abortion rights?  Ted Rall thinks Democrats hold back because they cynically want to keep abortion alive as a issue.  But maybe they’re just timid.

Clown Genius by Scott Adams.   (Hat tip to Rod Dreher)

The creator of the Dilbert cartoons thinks most people probably would buy a used car from Donald Trump because his campaign demonstrates mastery of the classic techniques of salesmanship.

How Wall Street’s Bankers Stayed Out of Jail by William D. Cohan for The Atlantic.

The U.S. Department of Justice prosecutes allegedly corrupt soccer officials in Switzerland, but turns a blind eye to corruption on Wall Street.   “For financiers, justice is just a check somebody else has to write.”

Why the Nation’s Nurses Are Supporting Bernie Sanders for President by Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of National Nurses United and the California Nurses Association.

Obama Administration Must Confront Monopoly Practices in the Health Insurance Industry by Lawrence J. Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union and a member of the AFL-CIO executive council.  (Hat tip to Bill Harvey)

New York Assembly Backs Single Payer by Mark Dudzic for Labor Notes.  (Hat tip to Bill Harvey)   Union power in action.

 

Tags: Abortion Rights, Donald Trump, European Central Bank, European Commission, Greek debt crisis, HIllary Clinton, International Monetary Fund, Labor Unions, Scott Adams, Ted Rall