Very Serious

Very Serious

Josh Barro's newsletter about politics, the economy and culture.

52 emails
Every few days

Latest Emails

The Subway Is For Transportation

Which means you have to arrest people who smoke fentanyl there Open in app or onlineThe Subway Is For TransportationWhich means you have to arrest people who smoke fentanyl thereJosh BarroMar 20SaveListenDear readers,Weve discussed in this newsletter before that the key to enjoying Los Angeles, whet

3 days ago

Is Ron DeSantis Savvy Or Not?

He has been savvy in Florida, but he's not yet translating that to a national general election.Open in app or onlineIs Ron DeSantis Savvy Or Not.He has been savvy in Florida, but he's not yet translating that to a national general election.Josh BarroMar 17SaveListenDear readers,Last year, Florida Go

6 days ago

'Bailout' Is Not a Dirty Word

A bailout is never Plan A.But it can be a pretty important Plan B.Open in app or online'Bailout' Is Not a Dirty WordA bailout is never Plan A.But it can be a pretty important Plan B.Josh BarroMar 14SaveListenDear readers,Theres this sort of inane discourse about whether the rescue of Silicon Valley

1 week ago

This Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: California Is Still Good

Plus: Daylight saving time is also still good.Open in app or onlineThis Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: California Is Still GoodPlus: Daylight saving time is also still good.Josh BarroMar 9SaveListenDear readers,Its time for the Mayonnaise Clinic.Tim writes in from Southern California:I work for a fe

2 weeks ago

It's Fine to Order the Same Dish as Your Spouse

And other advice that might help you stress out less in restaurants Open in app or onlineIt's Fine to Order the Same Dish as Your SpouseAnd other advice that might help you stress out less in restaurantsJosh BarroMar 1SaveListenDear readers,Speaking of the slow news year, I was back on CNN last nigh

3 weeks ago

This Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: No Tipping for Bottled Water

Plus: Is robust local news coverage possible anymore.Open in app or onlineThis Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: No Tipping for Bottled WaterPlus: Is robust local news coverage possible anymore.Josh BarroFeb 15PreviewSaveDear readers:Welcome to the Mayonnaise Clinic.You have questions, I have mayonnais

1 month ago

A Rant: Chocolate Is Overrated

One of two unpopular opinions I hold Open in app or onlineA Rant: Chocolate Is OverratedOne of two unpopular opinions I holdJosh BarroFeb 14SaveListenDear readers,Heres the thing: I like chocolate.I think chocolate is good, and I often enjoy foods that contain chocolate.The difference between me and

1 month ago

Nineties 2, Electric Boogaloo: The Return of the V-Chip

Plus: Why I don't lose sleep over the "entitlements crisis" Open in app or onlineNineties 2, Electric Boogaloo: The Return of the V-ChipPlus: Why I don't lose sleep over the "entitlements crisis"Josh BarroFeb 10PreviewSaveDear readers,As you might expect, I noted with interest the junk fees section

1 month ago

National Lessons from New York's Red Wave, with Ross Barkan

Listen now (48 min) | Kathy Hochul limped to re-election but wants to push bold housing reform; Democrats struggle on crime and with Asian and Hispanic voters; Knicks owner James Dolan thinks he's invincible Open in app or onlineFeb 5National Lessons from New York's Red Wave, with Ross BarkanKathy H

1 month ago

Why Republicans Find it Hard to Be Nice These Days

It's easier to be sunny when you're ascendant.Plus: Tax reform should wait until 2025.Open in app or onlineWhy Republicans Find it Hard to Be Nice These DaysIt's easier to be sunny when you're ascendant.Plus: Tax reform should wait until 2025.Josh BarroFeb 1SaveListenDear readers,David Frum wrote to

1 month ago

Normal Fiscal Politics Can Resolve the Debt Ceiling Crisis

We just need to make sure Treasury can fudge long enough to get us through that process.Open in app or onlineNormal Fiscal Politics Can Resolve the Debt Ceiling CrisisWe just need to make sure Treasury can fudge long enough to get us through that process.Josh BarroJan 27SaveListenDear readers,Ramesh

1 month ago

So, Why Not the Coin?

The strategy involves torturing the central bank into doing things no central bank should have to do.Open in app or onlineSo, Why Not the Coin.The strategy involves torturing the central bank into doing things no central bank should have to do.Josh BarroJan 20SaveListenDear readers,I wrote Wednesday

2 months ago

A Boring Plan for Managing the Debt Limit

"Extraordinary measures" tediously complicated gimmicks for massaging the debt limit are a well established part of American budgetary tradition.Premium bonds are the new gimmick we need now.Open in app or onlineA Boring Plan for Managing the Debt Limit"Extraordinary measures" tediously complicat

2 months ago

Gas Stoves Should Be a Matter of Individual Choice

Appliances are important, and politicians and the public need to be brought in on sweeping regulation.Open in app or onlineGas Stoves Should Be a Matter of Individual ChoiceAppliances are important, and politicians and the public need to be brought in on sweeping regulation.Josh BarroJan 12PreviewSa

2 months ago

This Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: Why Does Everything Suck?

Or, does everything not suck.Open in app or onlineThis Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: Why Does Everything Suck.Or, does everything not suck.Josh BarroJan 6PreviewSaveDear readers,Welcome to the Mayonnaise Clinic.Lets open the first letters of 2023.Randy writes in:Why does every experience seem to su

2 months ago

When Does the House Need a Speaker?

Open in app or onlineWhen Does the House Need a Speaker.Josh BarroJan 4PreviewSaveDear readers,Kevin McCarthy told reporters yesterday that hes prepared for the speaker election process to take days.Ralph Norman, one of the approximately twenty Republican members who wont vote to make him speaker, s

2 months ago

Abortion Is Going to Be a Huge Problem for Republicans in 2024

Donald Trump (partly) explains why.Open in app or onlineAbortion Is Going to Be a Huge Problem for Republicans in 2024Donald Trump (partly) explains why.Josh BarroJan 3SaveListenDear readers,Happy new year.I hope you had a very nice holiday week and that your travel, if you were traveling, wasnt too

2 months ago

This Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: Travel Tips

sightseeing, and ski trip best practices Open in app or onlineThis Week in the Mayonnaise Clinic: Travel TipsOn relaxing vs.sightseeing, and ski trip best practicesJosh BarroDec 24PreviewSaveDear readers,Merry Christmas.I hope youre looking forward to an excellent holiday season and I hope your trav

2 months ago

We Need a Better Homeownership Society

Americans will always dream of owning.But we can convince them they should want low and stable prices.Open in app or onlineWe Need a Better Homeownership SocietyAmericans will always dream of owning.But we can convince them they should want low and stable prices.Josh BarroDec 23SaveListenDear reader

3 months ago