It's too sad for me to make one of my usual cute remarks but those interested can google LIQUIDITY TRAP JAPAN and see where all this "quantatative easing" is inexorably leading us; permanent economic stagnation.
Treason all around by the progressive/neo-con duopoly.

"the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture in Providence alone totals $190 million a year."
I am wondering what are the factors that compose this figure and how it is determined. In a state of 1 million, I don't want to say that this is a figure of no consequence, but it is a figure of little consequence. Plus, is "art" a skill that can be "learned". The "nonprofit" status does not bother me, the salaries they can produce are amazing.
As I often do, I wonder what Brown & Sharpe's payroll would be today if we hadn't chased them away (that "strike" lasted 17 years). This comes to mind because of recent articles on the expected resurgence of manufacturing in the U.S. The primary factors seem to be the rising cost of Chinese labor (Japanese labor now excees our costs), we are on the cusp of some very cheap energy with the discovery of astounding gas and oil reserves, and an increase in robotics. Perhaps we should be positioning for that with a port at Quonset. The soothsayers do suggest that there will be fewer "production" jobs than there were in old manufacturing. Human wages just cannot compete with robotics.