Thomas Masterson
@thomasmasterson.bsky.social
250 followers 300 following 190 posts
Senior Scholar and Director of Graduate Programs at Levy Economics Institute of Bard College
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Reposted by Thomas Masterson
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
keithwdickinson.bsky.social
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
ptcherneva.bsky.social
I look forward to returning to Franklin & Marshall College to give the Will Lyons Memorial Lecture on Thursday, Oct 9.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
ptcherneva.bsky.social
🏛️ Pleased to launch our new Capitol Hill Series.

We're convening congressional staffers, policymakers, and the public to examine critical economic issues with a distinguished panel of experts.

Registration is required.
Save your spot and join us in DC. connect.bard.edu/register/Lev...
levyecon.bsky.social
As debates over monetary policy and central bank independence intensify, Levy is bringing the discussion to Capitol Hill with the launch of our new series.

Join us Nov 19 for "Rethinking the Federal Reserve’s Policy Framework and Independence."

connect.bard.edu/register/Lev...
thomasmasterson.bsky.social
Impact assessment of Ireland's basic income grants for artists: "for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return" Also, artists were less likely to feel they can't make ends meet, and spent more time making art.
assets.gov.ie/static/docum...
assets.gov.ie
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
levyecon.bsky.social
Out now, from the Global Money Talk podcast, Sr. Scholar L. R. Wray discusses myths surrounding government finance and the irrationality of the 2% inflation target.

Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLZD...
2% inflation is completely Irrational | Prof. L. Randall Wray
YouTube video by Global Money Talk
www.youtube.com
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
mikeachim.bsky.social
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
Post from Threads user rodneyowl: "Ireland has declared the Basic Income for Artists scheme permanent. This will be officially announced in tomorrow’s budget. Details to follow. Congratulations to all who fought for it and the present and future artists of all sorts in Ireland. That includes me 👌We’re just comin to the end of a 3 year pilot scheme. It’s been a roaring success. For every €1 paid out to the 2000 participants, the government got €1.46 back. Can’t argue with that. Other countries are already taking note."
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
jwmason.bsky.social
As the brilliant Michael Kinnucan points out, it's more than a bit strange that there's a debate over whether New York can afford universal childcare. New York already has universal childcare! Every single child is cared for by somebody. Small children are never left home all day by themselves.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
schnorkles.bsky.social
No ACA plans because premiums are too high, no disability, no food stamps. Oh also we closed all the hospitals.

RIP rurals.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
mcopelov.bsky.social
👇🎯 This is how governing works in literally every actual democracy around the world. If you don’t have the votes, it’s up to you to make concessions to the minority parties. It’s not their job to save you from your responsibility to govern by giving you things you don’t have the votes for already.
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
Sounds like Republicans ought to get all the Republicans who form the Republican majorities in the Republican-led House and the Republican-led Senate together to pass the budget that Republicans wrote with the Republican White House and that Republicans now insist absolutely must be passed.
atrupar.com
Sean Duffy says the safety of the air traffic control system will start being impacted next Sunday if the shutdown continues
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
Remembering when Chris Rufo insisted that Disney was a thoroughly corrupt institution because it had a small number of employees arrested on CSAM and sex trafficking charges and I replied, well, let's use that standard for Republicans, and he blocked me before I could finish the thread.
jlray.bsky.social
A Texas megachurch pastor and GOP leader has been arrested for crimes against children. Not Robert Morris, a different one. Not Josiah Anthony, a different one. Not Luke Cunningham, a different one. Not Tony Evans, a different one. Not Scott Crenshaw, a different one. Not Steve Lawson, a different o
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
donmoyn.bsky.social
Genuinely crazy how much we went from debates about body cams to "is the camera rolling? good. now watch me assault this dude."
lordnad.bsky.social
@govpritzker.illinois.gov

37 and Kedzie, East Garfield, Illinois.

This is assault.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
sarahtaber.bsky.social
This farm bailout situation is so breathtakingly foolish, it's hard to know where to start.

The US farm sector has been so insulated from the consequences of its own actions for so long. Is it even capable of learning from its mistakes at this point?
thetnholler.bsky.social
🧑‍🌾 @timmiller.bsky.social on the Trump FARMER BAILOUT: “Tariffs caused a trade war, farmers can’t sell… and now you and I will have to pay them. The stupidest policy I think I’ve ever seen. A land speed record for policy disaster.”

The very tariffs he said would help them are killing them.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
warnock.senate.gov
I was sent this by a Georgian this morning. 2025 premiums vs 2026 premiums for someone making $65k a year.

Republicans in Washington did this.

This is what I'm fighting to stop. This is what’s at stake in this shutdown fight.
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
socio-steve.bsky.social
The worst part is how easily this frame is exploited by the right. Since second order effects > first order effects can be deployed against all sorts of reform proposals. "Ah ha, but your reform will do nothing at best and may actually make things worse (I won't provide specific numbers tho"
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
danahoule.bsky.social
It works on so many levels…
patriottakes.bsky.social
Pete Hegseth accidentally flipping a skateboard into his nuts on live TV
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
zachweinersmith.bsky.social
Why is it called the Department of War and not the Department of Ultimate War-Man Warring? Are we losing our edge? Can we get truck nuts on the tanks, perhaps?
Reposted by Thomas Masterson
bencollins.bsky.social
If you want some solace, and this may be copium, it does appear this shit bombed.
thetnholler.bsky.social
“To our enemies: FAFO”

(holds for applause that doesn’t come)

Cringey awkward moment as Hegseth summons all 🇺🇸 generals to hear him do a one-man show about how strong we are