Topic: Crisis

Crisis, Financial Markets, Inflation, Monetary Policy

Fed Raises Rate, But Signals Potential Pause in May

– March 23, 2023

“In 2021 they were looking for help from recovering supply chains. Now, they are looking for help from tight financial markets. It’s time FOMC members help themselves — or, God help us all.” ~ William J. Luther

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government, Science

People Should be “Seething Mad” Over COVID – And Much More

– March 21, 2023

“The government’s authoritarian COVID policies are just the most visible proof that it’s a terrible idea to turn anything of importance over to government control.” ~ George Leef

Crisis, Financial Markets, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy

Silicon Valley Bank: Bespoke, Woke, and Restoked?

– March 13, 2023

“In a chorus which has become familiar, the S&P 500 futures just leapt upward, as the dollar fell with equal fervor. Relief for equities, a snub to the greenback. At 7:45pm EDT on an otherwise quiet Sunday night in March, this is what that kicking the can down the road looks like.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Crisis, Financial Markets, Monetary Policy

Has the Discount Window Mystery been Solved?

– March 10, 2023

“We won’t know for another twelve or fourteen months whether Silicon Valley Bank (or any of the other banks being thrown overboard today) were the ones borrowing at the Fed’s discount window. But it is increasingly likely that whatever firm(s) it was, exigency was the driver.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Crisis, Government, Science

Hospitalized With, or Hospitalized For?

– March 1, 2023

“It has been three years. Isn’t it about time we got more accurate data on COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths?” ~ Jon Sanders

Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government

Apres Biden, Le Deluge: When the Republican Party Gives Up Entitlement Reform

– February 24, 2023

“Even the Biden Treasury Department labels the present financial path as ‘unsustainable.’ Refusing to look at so-called entitlements, most importantly Medicare and Social Security, ensures growing outlays, deficits, and debt.” ~ Doug Bandow

Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government

Will Federal Spending Be Brought Under Control?

– February 10, 2023

“Will Congress actually cut spending? History suggests not. Economic historian Robert Higgs invented the term ‘ratchet effect’ to describe the way that government growth after a crisis tends to be locked in: the size of government never retreats to what it was before the crisis.” ~ Jason Sorens

Crisis, Environmentalism, Government

Lust for Power is More Dangerous Than Climate Claims

– February 9, 2023

“In the face of growing regulatory risks to our preferred ways of life, the least we can do is see the perpetual crisis narratives for what they are: a tool to legitimize dangerous increases in the size and scope of government.” ~ David Waugh

Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government

Debt Ceiling Theater, The 2023 Revival

– January 23, 2023

“We deserve exactly the government we have insisted upon for all these years. We also deserve the heavy price that will come for our own irresponsibility in repeatedly re-electing this troupe. No partisan theater will ever sugarcoat that.” ~ Antony Davies & James R. Harrigan

Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Government

Who Committed PPP Fraud?

– December 14, 2022

“Rather than use the misconduct of four companies to lash out at an entire industry, Congress should acknowledge how the government itself facilitated fraud in the PPP.” ~ Nicholas Anthony

Crisis, Energy, Environmentalism, Government

Reddy or Not, Winter Is Coming

– December 13, 2022

“Any time, but especially in the depths of the cold, electricity consumers must still be able to count on electricity ‘always there/with lots of power to spare’ as they have for 100 years.” ~ Jon Sanders

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government, Technology

Twitter Files Confirm Censorship of the Great Barrington Declaration

– December 9, 2022

“Thanks to Musk releasing the Twitter files to Weiss and Taibbi, we have more insight into Twitter’s internal censorship policies. Unfortunately, until the NIH releases more information, the Twitter Files raise more questions than answers.” ~ Phillip W. Magness & David Waugh