My Weekly Reading and Viewing for August 24, 2025

Are the BLS and Other Government Statistical Agencies Partisan? Here’s What My Research Found

Vincent Geloso, The Daily Economy, August 18, 2025.

In a recent study, I delved into the question of whether the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other government statistical agencies are partisan in their data collection and reporting. The findings may surprise you.

One common criticism of the BLS is the quality of its data. However, my research found little evidence to support this claim. Like all statistical agencies, the BLS often releases preliminary reports based on surveys it conducts, leading to frequent revisions. But how significant are these revisions? Surprisingly small.

I collaborated with Gary Wagner from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to analyze error rates in monthly payroll employment estimates since 2000. The graph we produced shows the percentage difference between initial and final estimates, with positive values indicating that the initial estimate was lower than the final one. What we found was that errors typically fall within ±0.5 percent, with over 90 percent of estimates being within ±0.25 percent. This level of accuracy is commendable, and if anything, the errors are decreasing over time.

Moving on to other perspectives, Paul Mueller from Law & Liberty explores the rise of collectivism in today’s society. He highlights how collectivism appeals to different cultural insecurities on both the political left and right. Wealthy individuals on the left may feel guilty about their success, while those on the right may worry about various societal challenges. Collectivist government programs often seem like viable solutions to these concerns.

In a related article from Reason, C.J. Ciaramella discusses the protests against unconstitutional police roadblocks in Washington D.C. The article sheds light on the legality issues surrounding these roadblocks and the infringement on Americans’ traditional freedom to travel. Ciaramella argues that such practices violate the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Shifting gears, Jeffrey Miron from Cato at Liberty advocates for deregulating the remittance industry. He points out that current regulations force money service providers to act as law enforcement, leading to high compliance costs and limited competition. Miron argues that deregulation would benefit consumers by reducing costs and increasing competition in the market.

Lastly, Tosin Akintola from Reason shares the story of Khalilah Few, a Georgia woman facing legal battles after being denied a permit to open her hair salon. Despite meeting all legal requirements, Few’s application was denied by the local government, leaving her in a precarious situation after investing over $30,000 in the property.

In conclusion, these articles offer diverse perspectives on various societal and economic issues, shedding light on the complexities of our modern world. It is essential to consider multiple viewpoints and engage in informed discussions to navigate the challenges we face as a society. Plastic pollution is a global crisis that is wreaking havoc on our planet. From the oceans to our landfills, plastic waste is everywhere and is causing serious harm to our environment and wildlife. The production and disposal of plastic products have reached alarming levels, with millions of tons of plastic being discarded every year.

Plastic pollution is a major threat to marine life, with millions of marine animals dying each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic debris. Sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals are particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution, with many species facing extinction as a result of this man-made crisis.

The problem of plastic pollution is not limited to our oceans. Landfills are overflowing with plastic waste that takes hundreds of years to decompose. The production of plastic products also contributes to the depletion of natural resources and the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Efforts to address the plastic pollution crisis have been slow and insufficient. While some countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics and introduced recycling programs, more needs to be done to reduce the production and consumption of plastic products. Consumers can also play a role in combating plastic pollution by choosing reusable alternatives and reducing their overall plastic consumption.

Innovations in plastic recycling technologies offer hope for a more sustainable future. From converting plastic waste into fuel to creating biodegradable plastics, there are a number of promising solutions on the horizon. However, these technologies need to be scaled up and implemented on a global scale in order to make a significant impact on the plastic pollution crisis.

Ultimately, addressing the plastic pollution crisis will require a collective effort from governments, businesses, and individuals. We must work together to reduce our reliance on plastic products, increase recycling efforts, and support the development of sustainable alternatives. By taking action now, we can protect our planet and ensure a healthier future for generations to come.