National Public Radio provides a barometer of left centralist FEDTHINK, and other puzzles.

NPR is helpfully offgassing several distinct political themes, given the rout coming in November, and the trials and Article 25 actions coming in 2023.

Being busy in the garden, caring for my hoard of canning jars, seeds and compost, and writing angry letters to the editor regarding the local county tax hikes – I didn't write down my thoughts last week.  Government spending and revenue is up over 20% in our rural geriatric county, due to inflationary assessments of cars, truck and real estate.  One supervisor defended it saying to a fellow farmer, "You can get a lot of money for your farm!"  You can own nothing and be happy!  Local electeds claim they made cuts in spending – they are lying (of course) but in terms of the real measure of inflation, strangely they are also agreeing 100% with Peter Schiff and critiquing MMT.

But I learned many entertaining things from NPR on my drive.  We have the USG-caused and -treated infant formula shortages – another self-licking ice cream cone – with the added benefit of raising suburban fears in time for November.  Helpfully hidden is the fact that most baby formula is purchased and heavily regulated using tax dollars through WIC, even as the birth rate in the US has been dropping for years, especially among teens. Also hidden is the positive trends in breastfeeding – comparing the 2007 CDC report with the 2020 CDC report we see the trend towards breastfeeding is steadily increasing – with 2007 exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months (the most stringent of several data points) at 11.3%, and 2020 reporting this category at nearly 26%.  Add to this the outstanding growth and projected growth in the breast pump market, and you have a situation that Mises explained and one that, as always, individuals and families acting as best they can in their best interest will, and must, resolve.

But, Karen, we need government intervention!  Babies are dying!  Hold that thought, because NPR also had a helpful report on that.