Topic: Government

Central Banking, Crisis, Government, Monetary Policy

What Did the Fed Know in the Great Recession?

– February 2, 2022

“The Fed’s poor forecasting record should make us skeptical of its ability to effectively manage the money supply in times of economic turmoil. It would be prudent to consider structural reforms that might improve FOMC’s decision-making process.” ~ Thomas L. Hogan

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

When “Mass Formation Psychosis” Meets Irish Democracy

– February 1, 2022

“We must underthrow these authorities. And that starts with our dogged resistance, withdrawal, and truculence. But maybe Irish Democracy need not be ‘silent,’ as Scott describes it. Maybe it’s time to get loud.” ~ Max Borders

Crisis, Government, Inflation

Price Controls?!

– February 1, 2022

“Price controls are a bad idea. But support for them appears to be growing. They are a terrible tool for dealing with inflation. They make no effort to reduce nominal spending. And they exacerbate supply constraints.” ~ William J. Luther

Crisis, Economic Education, Government

Covid Paycheck Protection Program: Promises Not Kept

– January 31, 2022

“The fact that PPP was poorly thought through, recklessly implemented and administered, and ended up benefiting those who are least likely to need it is, for politicians and bureaucrats, a feature, not a bug.” ~ Veronique de Rugy

Central Banking, Government, Inflation

Inflation is High, Will Remain Elevated for Years

– January 31, 2022

“At this stage, two things seem pretty clear: Inflation is high and will likely remain above target for a few years. My own view is that the FOMC is painting a rather rosy picture, and that market expectations provide a better guide for estimating inflation.” ~ William J. Luther

Economic Education, Free Markets, Government

Complexity in the Service of Simplicity

– January 31, 2022

“Competition both contributes to, and relies upon, the modern economy’s enormous and largely unseen complexity. The modern economy can well be described as ever-increasing complexity in the service of ever-more simplicity.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government, Healthcare, Science

How Threat-Free Are Americans from Covid-19? Late January 2022 Update

– January 30, 2022

“Failures of government to defeat this virus were predictable and by now are self-evident. The tools they used, however, must be taken away before they use them against us for other emergencies, real or fabricated.” ~ Jon Sanders

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Free Markets, Government

Today, You Will Have an Opportunity to Make More Meaning in Your Life

– January 30, 2022

“When government makes it harder for businesses to flourish, our entrepreneurial insights show the way. No one can ever force us to renounce our inner freedom. Today, like every day, we will have opportunities to make more meaning in our lives.” ~ Barry Brownstein

Crisis, Government, Healthcare, Science

All Cause Mortality in the United States During 2021

– January 30, 2022

“The existing data is not proof that the vaccines are causing deaths due to Circulatory diseases. The burden of proof, however, lies with the CDC and FDA to prove that the vaccines are not causing deaths due to spike protein.” ~ Gilbert G. Berdine

Crisis, Economic History, Financial Markets, Government

Stagflation Pales Compared to America’s Dirty Growth Diamond

– January 29, 2022

“America’s dirty Growth Diamond portends stagnation. Policymakers would do Americans the most service by actually cleaning up the diamond, especially home plate, rather than pretending to do so or claiming that it is already as clean as it gets.” ~ Robert E. Wright

Economic Education, Government, Inflation, Monetary Policy

Greedy Corporations and Inflation

– January 29, 2022

“Only a monetary policy geared to reduce inflation will be effective in reducing inflation. This is as true now as when the Federal Reserve lowered inflation in the early 1980s.” ~ Gerald P. Dwyer

Crisis, Government, Policy

Filibuster Chatter Speaks to Problems With Policy, Not Institutions

– January 28, 2022

“The answer to a stalled agenda isn’t tearing up the rule book and drawing a new one that suits you better. The answer is better policy. It’s not easy, but that’s the job Biden set out to do.” ~ Dan K. Eberhart