John Schmitt
@jschmittwdc.bsky.social
4.9K followers 1.2K following 340 posts
Economist, Washington DC Labor, social policy Formerly: @epi.org, @ceprdc.bsky.social, @equitablegrowth.bsky.social, @cep-lse.bsky.social, UN Peacekeeping (Very old picture.)
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jschmittwdc.bsky.social
Great piece on who will lose out when ACA health insurance subsidies expire.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
A square-shaped area chart titled "Almost half of adults with privately purchased health insurance are self-employed or work at small businesses."

The chart is divided into six rectangular sections representing employment status or primary activity of adults with privately purchased health insurance. The sections are:

    Self-employed/business owner: 18.0% (top left, dark teal)

    Worker at small business: 27.4% (top right, light teal)

    Other worker: 27.4% (middle left, light blue)

    Students: 6.4% (middle right, orange)

    Retired: 8.5% (bottom right, light orange)

    Other: 12.3% (bottom right, beige)

A note at the bottom of the chart indicates the source as "2025 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement."
jschmittwdc.bsky.social
"crypto is largely a Trump trade. And crypto fell because the backlash against the potential trade war threatened to weaken Trump politically." @pkrugman.bsky.social

paulkrugman.substack.com/p/how-crypto...
How Crypto Became a Trump Trade
It’s primarily a vehicle for crony capitalism now
paulkrugman.substack.com
Reposted by John Schmitt
laprofmme.bsky.social
Courtesy of colleagues at Penn
A variation on Benjamin Franklin’s 1754 engraving in the Pennsylvania Gazette, published in Philadelphia, in an effort to foster cooperation among the various colonies against the tyrant king of Britain, with the American colonies replaced by the nine universities selected for special collaboration opportunities
Reposted by John Schmitt
adamkeiper.com
This is a really well done—I hope it catches on: A silent roadside protest staged over the weekend in Westerville, Ohio, and posted to the Facebook page of the Westerville Progressive Alliance.
www.youtube.com/shorts/TpZFS...
Signs of Fascism!
YouTube video by COOLHAND
www.youtube.com
Reposted by John Schmitt
ucblaborcenter.bsky.social
The UC Berkeley Labor Center mourns Kent Wong, our longtime colleague and friend. A passionate champion for workers—especially immigrants—and students, Kent dedicated his life to justice. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center.
Photo of Kent Wong, smiling and looking into the camera, in front of a building with a Labor Center logo.
Reposted by John Schmitt
mcbridetd.bsky.social
In Missouri, House District8

45,000 are enrolled in ACA marketplace plans (6% of population)
43,000 received subsidies

if the Congress does not extend the enhanced subsidies set to expire, premiums will rise an estimated 125%
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Reposted by John Schmitt
centeronbudget.bsky.social
This week at CBPP, we focused on the #FederalBudget, #health, #FoodAssistance, and #IncomeSecurity. www.cbpp.org/blog/in-case...
Reposted by John Schmitt
Reposted by John Schmitt
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
“.. like a toppled Confederate general forced back onto a public square, the Donald Trump Jeffrey Epstein statue has risen from the rubble to stand gloriously on the National Mall once again,” the group’s statement said.

@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
Statue of Trump and Epstein Holding Hands Returns to National Mall
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by John Schmitt
Reposted by John Schmitt
bencasselman.bsky.social
The Department of Labor has released its plan in the event of a government shutdown.
Key takeaway for econ data: There will NOT be a jobs report on Friday (or any subsequent data releases) if funding isn't restored in time. #NumbersDay #EconSky
www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov...
www.dol.gov
Reposted by John Schmitt
logicallyjc.bsky.social
More people should be talking about this.
Reposted by John Schmitt
michaelsderby.bsky.social
Falsely labeling Portland as “war ravaged,” Trump targets military at American city. Via Reuters
www.reuters.com
Reposted by John Schmitt
kairyssdal.bsky.social
Troops. In an American city. Using full force.

Your now-regular reminder that Republican members of Congress are letting this happen.
atrupar.com
Trump says he’s authorized Hegseth to use “Full Force” against Antifa in “War ravaged” Portland
At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
jschmittwdc.bsky.social
I think what we're all really waiting for is the release of the classified government files on the Boston Brave's mysterious 4-0 upset victory over the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1914 World Series.

#epstein #ameliaearhart #trump #conniemack #baseball #coverup
Reposted by John Schmitt
adambonica.bsky.social
I’m starting to notice a trend in the polling data…

—Top Public Worry: Corruption

—Biggest problem in Fed Gov: Corruption

—Top fear: Corruption

—What one word would you use to describe American government?: “Corrupt”

It’s almost like voters are trying to tell us something.
Top 10 American Fears of 2024 (Chapman Survey)
Horizontal bar chart ranking the top fears of Americans (percentage “afraid” or “very afraid”):
	1.	Corrupt government officials (65.2%, top fear for years).
	2.	Loved ones becoming seriously ill (58.4%).
	3.	Cyberterrorism (58.3%).
	4.	Loved ones dying (57.8%).
	5.	Russia using nuclear weapons (55.8%).
	6.	Not having enough money for the future (55.7%).
	7.	U.S. becoming involved in another world war (55.0%).
	8.	North Korea using nuclear weapons (55.0%).
	9.	Terrorist attack (52.7%).
	10.	Biological warfare (52.5%).
Red bars display percentages; small arrows indicate change from 2023 rankings. Top Public Worries in the U.S. (Yale & GMU poll, May 2025)
Stacked bar chart of worries among U.S. adults. Categories ranked by share “very worried”:
	•	Government corruption (54% very worried, top issue).
	•	Other leading concerns: cost of living (48%), the economy (47%), state of democracy (44%), disruption of federal services (44%), cultural/social divisions (36%), treatment of immigrants (35%), global warming (29%), crime (26%).
	•	Lower worries include job security (17%), health (16%), and being targeted because of identity/beliefs (15%).
Green shades show “very/somewhat worried,” yellow/orange shades show “not very/not at all worried. Perceptions of Federal Government Problems (AP-NORC poll)
Bar chart showing the percentage of U.S. adults who consider various issues in the federal government to be a major problem, minor problem, or not a problem.
	•	Corruption: Overall 70% major, 22% minor, 7% not a problem. Higher among Republicans (78%) than Democrats (63%).
	•	Inefficiency: 65% major overall, with Republicans (81%) much higher than Democrats (55%).
	•	Red tape (bureaucracy): 59% major overall, with Republicans (73%) higher than Democrats (47%).
	•	Civil servants unwilling to implement president’s agenda: More partisan split—Republicans 56% major problem, Democrats 20% major problem; overall 34% major, 36% minor, 28% not a problem.
Title: “Majority of the public believe corruption, inefficiency, and red tape are major problems in the federal government. Word Cloud of How People Describe American Government (Berkeley Democracy Policy Lab)
Large central word: “Corrupt.” Other prominent words: Broken, Chaotic, Dysfunctional, Shit, Clueless, Divided, Inefficient, Crooked, Hijacked, Justice, Woke, Bloated, Untrustworthy, Hopeless, Frustrated, Disastrous, Messy, Sneaky, Turmoil, Delusional. Smaller scattered words include both negative and neutral terms such as Crap, Important, Poder, Resilient, Unfocused, Needs Help. Visual emphasizes “Corrupt” as the dominant public perception.
Reposted by John Schmitt
Reposted by John Schmitt