John McLaren

@johnmclaren.bsky.social

2.3K followers 850 following 1.6K posts

Economist, classical music nerd, and family man.

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Economics 44%

Political science 23%

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · Apr 4

I'm seeing a huge spike in interest in tariffs from people who normally don't work in the economics of international trade. Here are a few useful things to know about them. (1/14)

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 7h

I see what you mean, and I don’t think I would have guessed that it was Mahler. On the other hand, the tone is really not that different from the drinking song in Das Lied Von der Erde.

Reposted by John McLaren, Timothy D. McBride

Congressman Bobby Scott @bobbyscott.house.gov · 13h

Every House Democrat has signed a discharge petition to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

We only need a few House Republicans to join us and save health care for millions of Americans.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 5d

Affordable Care Act subsidies that help millions of Americans pay for health insurance will expire in less than a month.

Households will probably face spiking insurance costs next year if a bipartisan deal can’t be reached.

Health insurance costs could spike, as bipartisan ACA deal looks less likely

With a ticking clock and no clear bipartisan path forward, extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies is becoming more challenging.

www.washingtonpost.com

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 13h

Yes, I was a bit annoyed when an aide said: "Shall we put a pin in it for today, sir?"

One the other hand, I thought this was a wonderful line given to Garfield that sounded legit:

"I have been known to deprecate war, but if it comes to my door, it will find me at home."

Spencer Ackerman @attackerman.bsky.social · 14h

They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.

Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz

Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison

www.forever-wars.com

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 16h

Yes, and I think it's important to get a virgin to portray Bolsonaro, because of his purity.

Reposted by John McLaren, Bryan D. Jones, David Darmofal

Kevin Morris @kevintmorris.bsky.social · 17h

New from Michael Miller and me at @thejop.bsky.social: Evidence that, in most areas that were affected by the decision, the Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act in 2013 (Shelby County v Holder) increased the racial turnout gap. A thread...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...

Reposted by John McLaren

cvilledems.bsky.social @cvilledems.bsky.social · 17h

We were going to say something about stopped clocks, but you can probably figure it out.

bluevirginia.us/2025/12/audi...

Audio: Fmr. VA Gov. Jim Gilmore, a Conservative Republican Who Served in the Military, Says What Hegseth et al Are Doing Is a “War Crime” IF It’s a War, “Straight-Up Murder” If It’s Not a War

In stark contrast to lawless, sadistic, unAmerican U.S. Senators like far-right-Republican Tom Cotton (who insanely said "the first strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on Se...

bluevirginia.us

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

Excellent!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

Wow. Did not know about this. Thank you. Does seem like something Katrina could do something about!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

Is this currently illegal? Or is it just not available at Costco?

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

Next time!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

We were on some country roads yesterday. They were really scenic in the fog!

A line of trees across a snowy field, barely visible through the snowy fog.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

Hey, pixelate that thing.

Reposted by John McLaren

cvilledems.bsky.social @cvilledems.bsky.social · 1d

The world watches and shakes its head in horrified disbelief.

Reposted by John McLaren

Delegate Katrina Callsen @katrinacallsen.com · 1d

Thank you to everyone who joined me, @creighdeeds.bsky.social, and @cvilledems.bsky.social for cookies and convo. Appreciate all the input before we head to Richmond next month!

Katrina talking with a woman about criminal justice reform

Creigh at a podium and Katrina standing while listening to members of the audience speak

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Teen Beauty Queens Say Trump Walked In On Them Changing

“Don’t worry, ladies, I’ve seen it all before.”

www.buzzfeednews.com

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Maybe a scrawny, wrinkled turkey buzzard?

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Horrible.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 3d

I look forward to the day when we all join hands and sing songs to commemorate the Dear Leaders' birthday.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 3d

He seems nice.

Reposted by John McLaren

Jason Melendez @jasonmelendezva.bsky.social · 3d

Fantastic turnout and great conversations at tonight’s Metro Richmond Latino Democrats Post-Election Celebration. I was thrilled to remind folks about the SD-15 primary this Sunday and the road ahead.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 3d

Imagine the fire storm of rage from the DOJ if men fell to 35% of the student body!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 3d

I hadn’t heard that one. That’s hilarious. Are we sure that’s not from The Onion?

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 3d

I was not aware of this. This is *hugely* important.

Reposted by John McLaren

Janet Spittler @janetspittler.bsky.social · 3d

“Boys also have lower mean scores on the SAT in reading and writing, score lower overall on the ACT and have lower grade point averages in high school. “If we were going to eliminate preferences for men, the undergraduate population would skew to 65 percent female overnight,” Mitchell said.”

Trump’s attack on DEI may hurt college men, particularly White men

The Trump administration’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion also targets gender. The ban may impact gender balancing practices that often benefit college men.

wapo.st

Reposted by John McLaren

CNN @cnn.com · 3d

Standing in Arizona’s largest dry lakebed, Wilcox Playa, astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy steadied himself as freight trains thundered by, threatening to blur the shot that took months to prepare. https://cnn.it/4oFyhmK

Reposted by John McLaren

bookies101.bsky.social @bookies101.bsky.social · 3d

Underworld by Don DeLillo is a smart, challenging read. An exploration of isolation, impermanence and American individualism. Full review linked below. #booksky

youtu.be/LCjrsk_QaSg?...

Bookies! No Spoiler Book Review: Underworld By Don DeLillo. A Novel of Isolation and Impermanence.

YouTube video by Bookies!

youtu.be

Reposted by John McLaren

Keith Boykin @keithboykin.bsky.social · 3d

Trump has removed MLK Day and Juneteenth as national holidays for visitors to get free admission to national parks and replaced them with his own birthday.