Category Archives: Business & Economy
Why It Matters If the Dollar Is the Reserve Currency [VIDEO]
We refer to the dollar as a “reserve currency” when referring to its use by other countries when settling their international trade accounts. For example, if Canada buys goods from China, China may prefer to be paid in US dollars rather than Canadian dollars. Other Business & Economy Texas Frozen Chaos Becomes Global Oil Market Nightmare With 40% Of US […]
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Did Yellen Just (subtly) Threaten To Blow Up The Economy With Inflation?
Let’s hope this isn’t what she is saying when she says that scrutiny of the Fed (ha!) in the 1970s was the reason for stagflation. I mean they must be REALLY scared of an audit to float that line. I’m actually surprised. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreU.S. Government Debt Is Now at a Once-Unimaginable Level
Earlier today I was looking through some old records, and I came across a flyer for a symposium in which I participated at Seattle University early in 1990. The flyer announced the symposium topic by asking: “A $3 Trillion National Debt: Does It Matter? What Can We Do About It?” Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreUnnoticed Event Provides Visual and Metaphorical Symbols Defining Current State of Global Economy
Last week a scene unfolded in Athens, largely unnoticed by American eyes, that provided all the visual and metaphorical symbols needed to define the current state of the global economy. Hollywood’s best screenwriters couldn’t have laid it out any better. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreGallup CEO Backpedals: Government Jobs Data Is “Very, Very Accurate” [VIDEO]
Gallup CEO Jim Clifton caused big waves across the media on Tuesday when he published an article calling the official government unemployment number of 5.6% a “big lie.” Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreTsunamis Most Often Come Without Warning
On Thursday, January 15th, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) discontinued its three year effort to maintain its minimum currency floor of the Swiss franc. In a single day the move sent the Swiss Franc (SWF) climbing a massive 21% against the U.S. dollar and 41% against the euro. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreSwitzerland Wins As Its Central Bank Surrenders
If anyone had any doubt how severely the global economy has been distorted by the actions of central bankers, the “surprise” announcement last week by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to no longer peg the Swiss franc to the euro should provide a moment of crystal clarity. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreFracking — A New Bubble for a New Year
Another year is under way, and we are in the midst of yet another central bank-induced credit bubble. This time, the culprit is shaping up to be the oil and gas industry. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreSwiss Surrender Wins Currency War
By ending its three year currency peg to the weakening euro Switzerland has become the first major economy to surrender in the international currency war, and in so doing has given a long-delayed victory to the Swiss people. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreFed Yearns for Higher Inflation to Disguise Asset Bubbles
Recent statements by Federal Reserve officials would lead just about anyone to believe that one of the bank’s central missions has always been to guard against the lurking threat of deflation. They warn that since official inflation has remained below the Fed’s 2 percent target for almost two years, the country is liable to fall into a stagnant morass unless the Fed acts boldly to hit its […]
Read moreThe Hidden Perils of Low Interest Rates
Late last year, with the U.S. economy experiencing falling unemployment and seemingly low inflation, observers were extremely confident that the Federal Reserve would move judiciously in 2015 to restore ‘normal’ interest rates sooner rather than later. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreHurts So Good: When Exactly Are Falling Prices Bad?
The sudden fall in the price of oil provides a unique opportunity to examine the widely held belief that deflation is economic poison. As many governments and central banks have vowed to fight deflation at all costs in 2015, the question could hardly be more significant. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreExpert: U.S. Has Leveraged Economy On Shale Oil, Which Saudis May Be About To Crash [VIDEO]
Washington D.C.- There is a lot being said about falling gas prices. For the most part, everyday Americans and consumers across the board are excited to finally see relief at the gas pumps. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreThe Best and Most Simple Explanation of The U.S. Monetary System (Debt, Currency, Money, Income Tax, Etc.) [VIDEO]
Many people have difficulty understanding things having to do with our economy and our money. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreCorrecting Scrooge’s Economics
As Charles Dickens himself admits, Ebenezer Scrooge is a thoroughly peaceful man, guilty of no true crime, who has robbed no one. Therefore, we must conclude that his wealth is a sign of his ability to please at least some people, and as Michael Levin notes: “Dickens doesn’t mention Scrooge’s satisfied customers, but there must have been plenty of them […]
Read moreCould an Energy Bust Trigger QE4?
In normal economic times, falling energy costs would be considered unadulterated good news. The facts are simple. No one buys a barrel of oil to display above the mantle. No one derives happiness from a lump of coal. Energy is simply a means to do or get the things that we want. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreBlack Gold Loses Glitter
The stunning 40% drop in the price of oil over the past few months has scrambled global economic forecasts, changed the geo-political landscape, and has severely pressured many energy sector investments. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreNot Just Oil: Guess What Happened The Last Time Commodity Prices Crashed Like This?
It isn’t just the price of oil that is collapsing. The last time commodity prices were this low was during the immediate aftermath of the last financial crisis. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreData Driven or Driven Data
There can be little doubt that data releases rather than experience or intuition are driving the economic conversation. This is perhaps a function of the disconnection that many people feel about an economy that they no longer understand. Rather than trusting their own eyes or their own gut to form an opinion, it’s much easier to grab a set of […]
Read more5 Complete Lies About America’s New $18 Trillion Debt Level
On October 22, 1981, the government of the United States of America accumulated an astounding $1 TRILLION in debt. At that point, it had taken the country 74,984 days (more than 205 years) to accumulate its first trillion in debt. It would take less than five years to accumulate its second trillion. And as the US government just hit $18 […]
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