Independent thinking for complex markets and current events
One of my favorite economic rules is simple. Whenever a progressive scold blames capitalism or private companies for a “market failure”—i.e., the inefficient or seemingly inexplicable distribution of goods or services in the economy—it’s best to dig a little deeper. Almost always, some government regulation, tax, or law is largely to blame. One recent example …
The reported government handling of the Maui fire cleanup raises significant concerns about delays and restrictions, leaving affected residents frustrated and stranded. The slow progress, limited clearing capacity, and the apparent bureaucratic hindrances contribute to a distressing situation for those seeking to rebuild their lives. The need for urgent and efficient action is evident, and …
This is a dire situation; the staggering $8.9 trillion government debt maturing soon is alarming. With a projected $1.4 trillion deficit in 2024, over $10 trillion in US government bonds need buyers, almost a third of the current federal debt. The Fed’s plan to cut rates adds to the challenge. The surging debt service costs, …
Revealed: Shameless squatter who moved into pensioner’s empty home then won legal right to keep it… has sold house for a whopping £540K A squatter who took over an empty house that belonged to a pensioner and won the right to become its legal owner has sold it for £540,000, MailOnline can reveal. Keith Best …
Amidst a cost-of-living crisis in Britain, London experiences a 23% surge in rough sleepers. Mayor Sadiq Khan calls for urgent government intervention as emergency accommodation usage rises. Strikingly, 242 newly-granted refugees report homelessness after leaving government-provided shelter. Meanwhile, in Germany, thousands of doctors and medical center employees strike against low wages and high costs, underscoring …
Oh wow, what a shocker! A politician misusing government funds? Who would’ve thought? It’s not like that ever happens… eye roll The Department of Justice has subpoenaed a House Democrat for allegedly misusing government funds intended for security. The allegations became public Monday and were first reported by Punchbowl News. 🚨BREAKING NEWS — @TheJusticeDept is investigating a House …
Year after year public officials tell Texans they believe in limited government and protecting constitutional rights. In practice the opposite is true. Two Texas cases before the U.S. Supreme Court highlight the disconnect. On Tuesday, the high court heard heard DeVillier v. Texas. Richie DeVillier and his family have tended a cattle ranch near Beaumont …
by confoundedinterest17 Americans are addicted to gov. And government is addicted to spending (and creating more debt). Let’s look at wage growth for government apparatchiks relative to private sector workers. While wage growth overall was modest, it is government wage growth that is driving it – now at a record high! Source: Bloomberg And on the back …
Authored by Michael Snyder via The Economic Collapse blog, How does it feel to have the largest government that the planet has ever seen? When I was growing up, I was taught that we had a capitalist system and that we had a limited federal government. Of course neither of those things has been true …
Senator Rand Paul exposes eyebrow-raising government expenditures, highlighting instances where taxpayer money is allocated to seemingly absurd studies. The revelations include: $2.3 Million for injecting beagles with cocaine, aiming to understand the adverse effects, despite the evident societal impact of the drug. $700,000 spent on studying how male parrots attract mates, raising questions about the …
New polling data from Gallup sheds light on Americans’ sentiments toward the government. A majority, 54%, believes the government is too big and powerful, echoing a consistent trend since 2021. Notably, this contrasts with 2020, when 54% favored a more active government, showcasing a shift in public perception. Partisan lines are evident, with 81% of …
by Chris Black I am convinced that the German government organizes pro-government protests against the alleged democratic opposition. It’s incredible to see. It’s novel. Deutsche Welle: An estimated 1.4 million people in Germany demonstrated against the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) from Friday to Sunday, according to the organizers of the events. Who even are these …
Brendan Kavanaugh plays piano in public, and streams on YouTube, when some Chinese group, wearing red and waving communist flags happened to assemble behind him. When they realized they were in his shot, they ordered him to stop filming. They had no concept of the right to film in public. One older man, the leader, …
Congress on Thursday passed legislation to keep the federal government open into March, approving the third stopgap spending bill in four months as lawmakers struggle to agree on long-term government funding plans. The bill extends deadlines to March 1 and March 8. Money for roughly 20 percent of the government — including the Transportation Department, …
by Michael How does it feel to have the largest government that the planet has ever seen? When I was growing up, I was taught that we had a capitalist system and that we had a limited federal government. Of course neither of those things has been true for a very long time. Today, the …
Will House Republicans reach an agreement? It’s not clear that some of the most conservative lawmakers in Congress will support the latest push to avoid a government shutdown. A handshake deal between Johnson and Schumer announced this month, which largely resembled the agreement former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Biden struck last summer in …
BREAKING: China economy grew around 5.2% in 2023: Premier READ: https://t.co/YFpRF9hjFj pic.twitter.com/kC6OyTC4YN — Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 16, 2024 Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Tuesday the country’s economy was expected to have grown by around 5.2 percent in 2023, as he addressed an annual meeting of global elites in Davos. The figure would represent an …
by confoundedinterest17 Government power is causing inflation and middle class economic repression. For example, US credit card debt is at an all-time high as consumers attempt to cope with inflation under Biden. While inflation RATE is finally cooling off, the LEVEL of inflation remains high. Purchasing power for consumers is down 15% under Vacation Joe. …
Hundreds of thousands of people are now taking to the streets. Within days this could be millions strong with the potential to topple the Polish Government. They are protesting against the Government of Donald Tusk who they accuse of pursuing Globalist policies pertaining to that of the World Economic Forum and not the people. Tusk …
This is what happens when you run out of hotel rooms. Soon, cities will run out of schools to vacate. Then they will come for your homes. https://t.co/MQ159OlOXc — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2024 Already happening pic.twitter.com/1oIbgIPafN — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 9, 2024 They’ve run out of hotel rooms, are kicking kids …
Americans push back against government overreach with some real defiance. Bring a gun to a knife fight: For the first time since 2020, when state and federal governments nationwide decided the Constitution and Bill of Rights no longer applied to them and began imposing a whole range of abusive illegal regulations and lockdowns and mandates and blacklisting on Americans everywhere, …
German farmers are fighting back and demanding a new government. Thousands of protestors lined up their tractors and blocked roads and bridges across Germany demanding lower fuel cost and taxes. The German farmers are also fed up with billions being sent to foreign wars in Ukraine. They are are braving the January weather to show …
By Graham Summers, MBA Since early 2023, numerous pundits and gurus have been calling for a recession. And despite numerous indicators flashing that one is coming… the recession has yet to arrive. Why? This: The U.S. is running a GARGANTUAN deficit equal to 5.5% of GDP. To put this into perspective, it’s larger than the …
via Mike Shedlock: The welfare state is booming along with social assistance for illegal immigrants. Jobs data from the BLS, chart by Mish Welfare State Surge 2022 vs. 2023 Government: 5.74% 2022 vs 24.92% 2023 Social Assistance: 16.31% 2022 vs 34.11% 2023 Government + Social Assistance: 22.04% 2022 vs 59.02% in 2023 Government employment and Social …
In a powerful display of solidarity, European farmers are taking a stand against government policies perceived as detrimental to their livelihoods. The latest demonstration unfolded in Germany, where 5,500 tractors from various regions converged outside Munich and headed towards the city center, mirroring the impactful protest movements initiated by Canadian truckers and Dutch farmers. The …
The Incredibly Ballooning US Government Debt Spikes by $1 Trillion in 15 Weeks to $34 Trillion. Interest payments threatening to eat up half the tax receipts may be the only disciplinary force left to deal with Congress. Is there a comeback from this? Economists widely regard the Clinton surplus to be more of a function …
Americans of both parties think the biggest issue the country faces is the government itself and “poor leadership”—outranking both inflation and the economy—according to a new Gallup poll, as headlines this month have been dominated by political controversies like the House Speaker vote and classified White House documents being found at leaders’ homes. KEY FACTS …
Senate and House leaders announced on Sunday that they had struck an overarching agreement on 2024 government funding, but it was not clear whether they would be able to cement the deal and pass it into law in time to avert a partial government shutdown in less than two weeks. After weeks of negotiations and …
I would say that it absolutely is. All of the activity that we’ve been seeing ever since October 7th when the Hamas situation developed basically is being, I would say, distorted in a way to protect Israel by limiting the ability of critics here in the United States and elsewhere to make the arguments that …