Contra Krugman

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 55 Krugman, Trump, and Trade Oct 09, 2016

Show notes

Krugman says it's not just Trump who's an ignoramus, but his economic advisors, too: why, they seem to think a foreign VAT (value-added tax) hurts US exporters. We investigate, and turns out these guys are against fiscal and monetary stimulus -- how bad could they be? Yes, there are some problems in the Trump white paper, but there's a lot of good in it, too. And its key fallacy on trade accounting is something Krugman himself has pushed in other contexts.

Show notes for Ep. 55

Ep. 54 Watch Out: Hillary and the Government Want to Help Families Sep 30, 2016

Show notes

All the Republicans want to do is cut taxes on the rich, says Krugman, but Hillary has lots of programs she wants to enact for "working families." And each one is obtuse in its own special way.

Show notes for Ep. 54

Ep. 53 Krugman's Stern Warning: Don't You Dare Vote for the Crazy Libertarians Sep 23, 2016

Show notes

Krugman sternly lectures millennials: DO NOT vote for Gary Johnson. You are wasting your vote. Plus, the Libertarian Party platform is nuts! We respond, in one of Tom's favorite episodes of Contra Krugman. Show notes for Ep. 53

Ep. 52 Why Would Anyone Think Hillary Clinton Isn't Truthful? Sep 17, 2016

Show notes

Krugman suggests that the image of Hillary Clinton as particularly untruthful is a fabrication of the right-wing noise machine. We remind him of some uncomfortable truths.

Show notes for Ep. 52

Ep. 51 Not Voting Democrat? Then You Want to Kill Children, Says Krugman Sep 09, 2016

Show notes

This week, Krugman is unhappy about the adverse health effects of lead paint, which only Hillary Clinton wants to eradicate. This is typical, Krugman says: Republicans (which in his mind is synonymous with free-market people) hate science and love when poor people are unsafe and die.

Show notes for Ep. 51

Ep. 50 Cuts to Planned Parenthood Caused Pregnant Women to Die? Here's the Real Story Behind This Whopper Sep 03, 2016

Show notes

Why have mortality rates among pregnant women in Texas doubled in recent years? There's no one explanation, Krugman admits -- and then proceeds to pounce on one explanation: cuts to Planned Parenthood.

And you'll never guess: Krugman is full of it!

Show notes for Ep. 50

Ep. 49 Obamacare Sinking? Why, It's Just a Flesh Wound, Says Krugman! Aug 29, 2016

Show notes

The bad news keeps piling up for Obamacare: Aetna, for example, is pulling out of a lot of the exchanges. The failures are everywhere now. According to Krugman, a little tinkering here and there would fix it, if it weren't for all the unreasonable right-wingers. OK, Paul.

Show notes for Ep. 49

Ep. 48 Where Does Economic Growth Come From? Krugman Genuinely Stumped Aug 20, 2016

Show notes

We know how to do some things, Krugman says, like deliver health care to everyone, provide for people's retirement, and increase the wages of low-income people. But economic growth? That's a tough nut to crack, he says. We can try infrastructure spending, but maybe even that won't work. We bring some Contra Krugman awesomeness to this pile of confusion. Show notes for Ep. 48

Ep. 47 Time for Lots of Borrowing and Spending? Aug 13, 2016

Show notes

With long-term interest rates low and no shortage of ideas for public-works projects, Krugman says now's the time to do -- wait for it -- lots of borrowing and spending. Actually, you know what it's really time for? Show notes for Ep. 47

Ep. 46 Krugman to NeverTrumpers: Hillary Probably Won't Be a Disaster Aug 05, 2016

Show notes

This week, Krugman appeals to Republican opponents of Donald Trump and says: Hillary won't be a disaster, in all likelihood, even from your point of view. If she continues the center-left policies of Obama, we'll continue to have a good economy. We're unconvinced. Show notes for Ep. 46

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected