Michael Blickenstaff
@progresspending.bsky.social
michaelblickenstaff.com
progresspending.substack.com
Approaching the world with a commitment to reason, a foundation in facts, and a respect for expertise. I cover public policy, business, and technology.
progresspending.substack.com
Approaching the world with a commitment to reason, a foundation in facts, and a respect for expertise. I cover public policy, business, and technology.
Pinned
Economic Populism Done Right
How an Ex-Trader's Economic Message Could Outshine Trump's and revitalize the left.
open.substack.com
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
My latest piece on Gary Stevenson's economic message. Hope you enjoy.
My latest piece on Gary Stevenson's economic message. Hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
My latest piece on Gary Stevenson's economic message. Hope you enjoy.
My latest piece on Gary Stevenson's economic message. Hope you enjoy.
Economic Populism Done Right
How an Ex-Trader's Economic Message Could Outshine Trump's and revitalize the left.
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 5:27 PM
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
My latest piece on Gary Stevenson's economic message. Hope you enjoy.
My latest piece on Gary Stevenson's economic message. Hope you enjoy.
March 23, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Hakim Jefferies' answer to Trump is to let Jesus take the wheel, and meet about it tomorrow. It's unacceptable.
January 28, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Hakim Jefferies' answer to Trump is to let Jesus take the wheel, and meet about it tomorrow. It's unacceptable.
The Democratic Party is at a crossroads. Our open letter calls for bold action to rebuild trust, shift entrenched perceptions, and deliver real change for ordinary Americans.
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
@aoc.bsky.social
@bennet.senate.gov
@jaimeharrison.bsky.social
@kenmartin.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
@aoc.bsky.social
@bennet.senate.gov
@jaimeharrison.bsky.social
@kenmartin.bsky.social
December 29, 2024 at 8:48 PM
The Democratic Party is at a crossroads. Our open letter calls for bold action to rebuild trust, shift entrenched perceptions, and deliver real change for ordinary Americans.
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
@aoc.bsky.social
@bennet.senate.gov
@jaimeharrison.bsky.social
@kenmartin.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
@aoc.bsky.social
@bennet.senate.gov
@jaimeharrison.bsky.social
@kenmartin.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Blickenstaff
How do we start to address climate change? Can we start mitigating strategies without convincing the deniers that climate change is real? This is an excellent data driven piece about Des Moines, IA. www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/12/27/d...
Des Moines and the climate reality: A year of extremes
Chris Gloninger: The vanishing cold days and soaring warm days in Des Moines should serve as a collective “holy shit” moment.
www.bleedingheartland.com
December 28, 2024 at 9:33 PM
How do we start to address climate change? Can we start mitigating strategies without convincing the deniers that climate change is real? This is an excellent data driven piece about Des Moines, IA. www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/12/27/d...
While I’m no fan of Vivek and disagree with him on almost everything, his 'mediocrity' argument has a sliver of truth, especially when you look at US education.
US universities thrive, yet our schools lag—34th in Math, 16th in Science, 9th in Reading (PISA). To stay competitive, we must fix this.
US universities thrive, yet our schools lag—34th in Math, 16th in Science, 9th in Reading (PISA). To stay competitive, we must fix this.
December 28, 2024 at 4:08 PM
While I’m no fan of Vivek and disagree with him on almost everything, his 'mediocrity' argument has a sliver of truth, especially when you look at US education.
US universities thrive, yet our schools lag—34th in Math, 16th in Science, 9th in Reading (PISA). To stay competitive, we must fix this.
US universities thrive, yet our schools lag—34th in Math, 16th in Science, 9th in Reading (PISA). To stay competitive, we must fix this.
According to the 2024 Empower Survey, Americans believe a net worth of $5.36M is the magic number for financial success. 58% think they'll reach it, including 71% of Gen Z & 70% of Millennials. Yet, only 3.7% of households actually hit $5M+. One thing we’re not short on? Financial optimism.
December 28, 2024 at 2:41 PM
According to the 2024 Empower Survey, Americans believe a net worth of $5.36M is the magic number for financial success. 58% think they'll reach it, including 71% of Gen Z & 70% of Millennials. Yet, only 3.7% of households actually hit $5M+. One thing we’re not short on? Financial optimism.
Reposted by Michael Blickenstaff
"It's not a timeshare; it's a private residence club." -Timeshare lady at the Grand Mayan
December 27, 2024 at 8:47 PM
"It's not a timeshare; it's a private residence club." -Timeshare lady at the Grand Mayan
Since, we're all discussing H1B immigrants today, here's an interesting statistic on immigrant innovation.
Immigrants account for 16% of US inventors, but nearly 25% of innovation output as gauged by the number of patents, patent citations, economic value of patents.
www.nber.org/digest/20233...
Immigrants account for 16% of US inventors, but nearly 25% of innovation output as gauged by the number of patents, patent citations, economic value of patents.
www.nber.org/digest/20233...
The Outsize Role of Immigrants in US Innovation
www.nber.org
December 27, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Since, we're all discussing H1B immigrants today, here's an interesting statistic on immigrant innovation.
Immigrants account for 16% of US inventors, but nearly 25% of innovation output as gauged by the number of patents, patent citations, economic value of patents.
www.nber.org/digest/20233...
Immigrants account for 16% of US inventors, but nearly 25% of innovation output as gauged by the number of patents, patent citations, economic value of patents.
www.nber.org/digest/20233...
10% of Gen Z men are problem gamblers.
Young men are in a bad place right now. Its a scary situation.
www.fdu.edu/news/fdu-pol...
Young men are in a bad place right now. Its a scary situation.
www.fdu.edu/news/fdu-pol...
FDU Poll finds Online Betting Leads to Problems for Young Men
www.fdu.edu
December 26, 2024 at 1:12 AM
10% of Gen Z men are problem gamblers.
Young men are in a bad place right now. Its a scary situation.
www.fdu.edu/news/fdu-pol...
Young men are in a bad place right now. Its a scary situation.
www.fdu.edu/news/fdu-pol...
The first post from my new FREE Substack dives into the devastating economic impact that could result from Trump's mass deportation plan. From disrupting America's food supply to raising costs for everyone.
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
The Real Cost of Mass Deportation
Hey everyone, welcome to Progress Pending.
open.substack.com
December 25, 2024 at 9:42 PM
The first post from my new FREE Substack dives into the devastating economic impact that could result from Trump's mass deportation plan. From disrupting America's food supply to raising costs for everyone.
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
open.substack.com/pub/progress...
Over 65% of Greenlanders want independence from Denmark. Instead of Trump wanting Greenland for the US, why not support what Greenlanders actually want: their own sovereignty?
December 24, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Over 65% of Greenlanders want independence from Denmark. Instead of Trump wanting Greenland for the US, why not support what Greenlanders actually want: their own sovereignty?
Without Section 230, platforms like Bluesky could face lawsuits for every comment or video they moderate—or don’t. Brendan Carr is one of the authors of Project 2025, and Trumps pick to lead the FCC. His push to gut these protections would reshape the internet into an even more chaotic free-for-all.
December 24, 2024 at 1:01 AM
Without Section 230, platforms like Bluesky could face lawsuits for every comment or video they moderate—or don’t. Brendan Carr is one of the authors of Project 2025, and Trumps pick to lead the FCC. His push to gut these protections would reshape the internet into an even more chaotic free-for-all.
Reposted by Michael Blickenstaff
Kennedy should never be confirmed. I wouldn’t trust him to run a toaster. Now is the perfect time to send letters to your Senators telling them to oppose him:
Tell your Senators: Oppose Kennedy for Health and Human Services Secretary
Please contact Congress now!
actionnetwork.org
December 23, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Kennedy should never be confirmed. I wouldn’t trust him to run a toaster. Now is the perfect time to send letters to your Senators telling them to oppose him:
The typical network primetime viewer now has a median age of 64.6 years old. The median age of of the three big cable news channels is 67 (CNN), 68 (FOX), and 71 (MSNBC).
Not too long now until they go the way of the dodo. I say, good riddance.
Not too long now until they go the way of the dodo. I say, good riddance.
December 21, 2024 at 8:40 PM
The typical network primetime viewer now has a median age of 64.6 years old. The median age of of the three big cable news channels is 67 (CNN), 68 (FOX), and 71 (MSNBC).
Not too long now until they go the way of the dodo. I say, good riddance.
Not too long now until they go the way of the dodo. I say, good riddance.
Reposted by Michael Blickenstaff
Today the great divide is not between left and right. It’s between democracy and oligarchy.
Let me explain.
Let me explain.
The American oligarchy is back, and it’s out of control
It’s the third time in the nation’s history that a small group of hyper-wealthy people have gained political power over the rest of us. Here’s what we must do.
robertreich.substack.com
December 20, 2024 at 4:50 PM
Today the great divide is not between left and right. It’s between democracy and oligarchy.
Let me explain.
Let me explain.
Border stats: In 2024, 1.1% of those stopped crossing illegally had prior convictions—half for 'illegal entry.' Compare that to 8% of Americans with felony convictions.
No matter how you feel about the border, when Trump says 'migrant criminals,' remember: the facts tell a different story.
No matter how you feel about the border, when Trump says 'migrant criminals,' remember: the facts tell a different story.
December 19, 2024 at 12:56 AM
Border stats: In 2024, 1.1% of those stopped crossing illegally had prior convictions—half for 'illegal entry.' Compare that to 8% of Americans with felony convictions.
No matter how you feel about the border, when Trump says 'migrant criminals,' remember: the facts tell a different story.
No matter how you feel about the border, when Trump says 'migrant criminals,' remember: the facts tell a different story.
Political polarization is wild:
🔹 Republicans share 21% more misinformation than Democrats
🔹 Most fake news comes from pro-Republican outlets
🔹 62% of Republicans think fake news is out to get them.
Self-own season is in full swing.
Sources on my website.
🔹 Republicans share 21% more misinformation than Democrats
🔹 Most fake news comes from pro-Republican outlets
🔹 62% of Republicans think fake news is out to get them.
Self-own season is in full swing.
Sources on my website.
December 17, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Political polarization is wild:
🔹 Republicans share 21% more misinformation than Democrats
🔹 Most fake news comes from pro-Republican outlets
🔹 62% of Republicans think fake news is out to get them.
Self-own season is in full swing.
Sources on my website.
🔹 Republicans share 21% more misinformation than Democrats
🔹 Most fake news comes from pro-Republican outlets
🔹 62% of Republicans think fake news is out to get them.
Self-own season is in full swing.
Sources on my website.