Tag Archives: Featured

The euphoria with the fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figure makes no sense. The headline champions say that real GDP increased at an annual rate of 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the Bureau of Economic Statistics (BES). An increase in real GDP of $1.5 trillion with an increase in public debt of more than $2 trillion is not a strong economy. It is a bloated economy. Furthermore, there is nothing positive in consumption when personal...

In response to the many shortcomings of the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong’s China, and Venezuela, the refrain, “It wasn’t real socialism,” has emerged as a rallying cry among apologists of socialism. Some readily admit the failures of these regimes and attribute the failures to capitalism rather than socialism. Some refuse to recognize the failure whatsoever; they see these experiments as genuine instances of “real socialism” and perceive them to be unequivocal...

Most public-school graduates have heard that Thomas Paine wrote something that convinced the colonies to declare their independence—though if they’re older than twenty-one their memory probably needs jogging. A few can even name what he wrote: Common Sense. And some can even incorrectly attribute a famous line to that pamphlet: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” With rare exceptions, most people don’t give a whit about Paine or what he wrote. But then, most...

Overview: The US dollar is offered today. It is trading softer against all the G10 currencies, with the yen the notable exception, and it is flat. The Antipodean are leading the way, taking out last week's highs, as has the euro. That said, the intraday momentum indicators are stretched as NY dealers return from the long holiday weekend. The Scandis are also trading above last week's highs. The yen, sterling, Canadian dollar, and Swiss franc are still inside last...

Includes an introduction by Tho Bishop. Recorded in Tampa, Florida, on February 17, 2024. Special thanks to Liberty Villages and the Shrader family for sponsoring this event. [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter

Recorded in Tampa, Florida, on February 17, 2024. Special thanks to Liberty Villages and the Shrader family for sponsoring this event. [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter

Recorded in Tampa, Florida, on February 17, 2024. Special thanks to Liberty Villages and the Shrader family for sponsoring this event. [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter

Recorded in Tampa, Florida, on February 17, 2024. Special thanks to Liberty Villages and the Shrader family for sponsoring this event. [embedded content] Tags: Featured,newsletter

The U.S. federal government published a December deficit of $129 billion, up 52% from the previous year. The private sector recession is clear as expenses continue to rise while tax receipts decline. If we look at the period between October and December 2023, the deficit ballooned to a staggering $510 billion. You may remember that the Biden administration expected a significant deficit reduction from its tax increases and the expected benefits of its Inflation...

George Orwell wrote, “The slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.” More colorfully and in a similar vein, it has been said that blurry words carry deplorable thinking the way mosquitoes carry malaria. It behooves us all to pay attention when people use words deviously or manipulatively not to inform but to conceal. How can people who are intolerant and authoritarian at every turn call themselves “liberal”? How can people wanting...