Economic, Financial and Political Analysis

Tag: Great Depression

David Stockman Alienates Both Ends of The Political Spectrum

David Stockman Alienates Both Ends of The Political Spectrum

David Stockman wrote an intriguing article which appeared in the NY Times. That it appeared in the Times is noteworthy itself, for it contradicts so many liberal shibboleths the paper has supported (promoted) for many years. Its appearance is less likely to reflect the first steps to Damascus and may be a sign of financial [...]

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The Keynesian Legacy Unravels

The Keynesian Legacy Unravels

By on December 28, 2012 in economy, Keynesian with 1 Comment

“Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana Ideology is powerful, capable of masking unpleasant facts. Whether we recognize it or not, we are all slaves to ideology. Economists are no different in that regard than other people. They hold preconceived ideas which affect the interpretation of data and facts. [...]

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Polite Pessimism Is Not Warranted

Polite Pessimism Is Not Warranted

By on October 17, 2012 in economy, Fed, Inflation with 0 Comments

The condition of the US (and world) economy is precarious. Alasdair Sinclair says that money printing is the only thing holding the economy up: We are in the eye of a financial storm, for which the only solution – other than mass default – is an accelerating supply of money. Deteriorating financial conditions ineither government, banks, private sector or securities markets are almost certain to trigger a run on the others. And that is why a far larger figure than QE3’s $85bn permonth may be required to keep the system afloat. Mr. Sinclair is correct. I recommend you read his piece in full. [...]

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Why Are Interest Rates So Low?

Why Are Interest Rates So Low?

For those who think bonds are a safe place to be, you might want to reconsider. In addition to rising sovereign risk (yes, for the US as well as other countries), there is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is what you assume when you buy a bond and do not intend to hold it [...]

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Why High Inflation Is Inevitable

Why High Inflation Is Inevitable

How this economic disaster ends is something about which many of us speculate. Two extreme endings are likely — a sudden deflationary collapse or a period of very high inflation/hyperinflation which ultimately cripples commerce and resolves itself in a deflationary collapse. In either case, the deflationary collapse is another Great Depression. It is important to know [...]

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The Future Is Determined By the Past

The Future Is Determined By the Past

By on April 3, 2012 in economy, Insolvency with 2 Comments

Even if the economy improves (it won’t in any real sense), the changes coming to this country border on the unimaginable for both the enlightened and unenlightened. Economic events similar to what occurred during the Great Depression are not far from happening. Some outcomes will be worse than what occurred 80 years ago. No bell [...]

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The Stock Market in Perspective

The Stock Market in Perspective

By on December 3, 2011 in economy, Investing Thoughts, markets, stock with 0 Comments

On the roller coaster that we call the stock market, it is easy to miss the forest for the trees. Volatile short-term moves are especially pronounced in today’s economic environment. But do they have any meaning in the larger scheme of things? The following chart provides a big picture of the stock market. More important, [...]

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Richard Russell on the Financial Mess

Richard Russell on the Financial Mess

By on November 16, 2011 in economy, employment with 0 Comments

Richard Russell, respected investment adviser for over half a century, has been operating at half-speed for him which is full speed for most of us. In this short note he explains why. More importantly, he comments on what he believes is coming. This is from a man who lived through the Great Depression. Please read [...]

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How Far to Go?

How Far to Go?

By on October 20, 2011 in economy with 1 Comment

There is no way to reasonably estimate how long the depression will last. Michael Panzner discusses one way to estimate timeframes. Are We There Yet? by Michael Panzner (Image: source.) Like children sitting anxiously in the back of the car on a long journey, many people — especially those “experts” who failed to see financial Armageddon coming [...]

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Economic Armageddon Seen As Imminent

Economic Armageddon Seen As Imminent

By on October 4, 2011 in economy, Favorites, Government, Insolvency with 5 Comments

Suddenly it is getting crowded in the world of those predicting economic armageddon. In a sense, that is comforting for those of us who were early and few. Once relegated to the lunatic fringe, it appears as though this view is expanding, possibly even going mainstream. .That more are calling for a terrible ending to [...]

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