The failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) on March 10 was the second largest bank failure in US history. Just two days following SVB’s collapse, Signature Bank joined the record books as the third largest bank failure in US history. First Republic Bank also seemed on the edge of collapse until Bank of America, Citigroup, and other big banks agreed to jointly fund a bailout for it. Major Swiss bank Credit Suisse was also teetering on the brink when it received a 54...
Read More »American Dissident: The Legacy of Murray Rothbard
Murray Newton Rothbard, perhaps the greatest enemy of the state in the second half of the twentieth century, would have recently celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday had he lived. Men are not salmon, those unique creatures that swim against the current. Most people “go with the flow” and allow the pace of events to dictate their lives, at least in that few consciously choose to reject the current order of things, declare it to be profoundly wrong, and act on it....
Read More »Yes, the Latest Bank Bailout Is Really a Bailout, and You Are Paying for It.
The Fed is launching a new billionaire bailout designed to keep banks afloat, and the FDIC is promising to back potentially trillions in deposits. The taxpayer will ultimately be on the hook. Original Article: "Yes, the Latest Bank Bailout Is Really a Bailout, and You Are Paying for It." This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher Condon. [embedded content]...
Read More »Why Governments Waste Resources: The Case of Newfoundland’s Joseph R. Smallwood
A key principle in understanding Austrian economics is seeing the inefficiency of government spending. In an era of overbearing states and reckless fiscal policy, this principle must be emphasized repeatedly. Politicians might claim the best of intentions when dishing out funds for military defense, social welfare, and public works. Their civil servants might try to realize these plans efficiently and thriftily. However, the very nature of government spending goes...
Read More »Government Is as Government Does
If we have learned anything from hundreds of years of government oppression and atrocities, one thing is certain: government isn't our friend. Original Article: "Government Is as Government Does" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher Condon. [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter
Read More »Donald Trump Is Wrong about Tariffs and Mercantilism
During the past few weeks, Donald Trump has been releasing some of his proposals if he were to win the election in 2024. While many of his positions pose great danger to personal liberty, such as his plan to “end crime and keep Americans safe,” his proposals on tariffs are up there in terms of ignorance. In a video posted on February 27, Donald Trump released his plan to “end our reliance on China.” In the short video, Trump claims that his plan would increase...
Read More »The Fed’s Huge Monetary Overhang Keeps Job Totals Up as Real Wages Fall
The current job market strength partly reflects the ongoing monetary overhang from years of breakneck growth in money-supply inflation. The $6 trillion in money that was newly created since 2020 is still very much a factor. Original Article: "The Fed's Huge Monetary Overhang Keeps Job Totals Up as Real Wages Fall" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher Condon. [embedded content]...
Read More »The Fed’s Malfeasance after SVB
This past weekend saw extraordinary actions by the Fed to address the meltdown of Silicon Valley Bank. Did the central bank break the law by effectively authorizing unsecured loans to banks based on the face value—rather than significantly lower market value—of those banks' Treasury holdings? Bob's study guide to A Theory of Money and Credit: Mises.org/HAP387a Jeff on the Fed as the ultimate bank: Mises.org/HAP387b [embedded content] [embedded...
Read More »The Balfour Declaration
Teaching high schoolers economics means teaching Austrian principles. Original Article: "The Balfour Declaration" This Audio Mises Wire is generously sponsored by Christopher Condon. [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter
Read More »Central Bank Digital Currencies Would Bring Hyperinflation
There are many excuses often used to explain inflation. However, the fact is that there is no such thing as “cost push inflation” or “commodity inflation.” Inflation is not an increase in prices, it is the destruction of the purchasing power of the currency. Cost-push inflation is more units of currency going to relatively scarce real assets. The same can be said about all other, from commodities to demand and my favorite, “supply chain disruption.” More units of...
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