Economist Arindrajit Dube joins Dean Baker to discuss his book The Wage Standard, examining why the federal minimum wage has stagnated for over a generation, how outsourcing reshaped worker pay, and why sectoral wage standards may be the key to rebuilding middle-class wages.
The projected Social Security shortfall reflects decades of upward income redistribution and is significantly smaller than the military spending increase proposed by the Trump administration.
A White House that claims to be cracking down on fraud should start with Medicare Advantage.
While concerns about AI-driven inequality are valid, an AI sovereign wealth fund could concentrate power and wealth further, whereas stronger taxes, antitrust enforcement, and labor protections offer more direct solutions.
Rising energy prices will likely push inflation higher in May, and food and vehicle prices are likely to continue to increase as well.
New labor market data show that mass deportation has not produced the promised employment gains for native-born workers, reflecting the complementary role many immigrants play in the economy.
Five key takeaways from the May jobs report include stronger-than-expected job growth, slowing real wages, worker caution about changing jobs, and little evidence that AI is reducing employment.
Dean speaks on Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us, arguing that while wealth taxes can help curb inequality, reforms that prevent excessive fortunes from accumulating may be even more effective.
Despite some anomalies, the overall jobs picture looks positive, but that could change if the war continues and oil prices stay high.
