Morning Journal--Milton Friedman on Obamacare

Economics

   This Week’s Data

            The International Council of Shopping Centers reported weekly sales of major retailers down 5.4% versus the prior week but up 1.7% versus the comparable period a year ago; Redbook Research reported month to date retail chain store sales up 4.1% on a year over year basis.

            Weekly mortgage applications rose 2.6% but purchase applications fell 1.0%.

            The December ADP private payrolls report showed a jump of 238,000 jobs versus forecasts of an increase of 205,000.

            http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-01-08/adp-payrolls-add-238k-jobs-december-construction-surge-highest-print-november-2012

           

   Other

Politics

  Domestic

Milton Friedman on Obamacare (3 minute video):

http://www.aei-ideas.org/2014/01/what-would-milton-friedman-think-of-obamacare-there-is-no-special-role-for-government-in-the-medical-care-field-at-all/

  International

            The demise of European democracy (medium and a must read):

            http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/01/death-thousand-cuts-silent-assassination-european-democracy.html