Author Archives: Yves Smith

In Rural America, Right-to-Repair Laws Are the Leading Edge of a Pushback Against Growing Corporate Power

After years of efforts to advance right-to-repair rules, farmers are starting to get traction.

Links 2/23/2023

New Notes on Global Warming

Global warming is accelerating faster than what our best minds are planning for, if indeed they’re planning at all.

The Government Makes a Profit on Defaulted Student Loans

The Federal government’s unheard of profits on defaulted student loans confirms that the scheme is predatory. And defaults are set to rise.

The Irish Question

Brexit fudged the question of the Irish border. The Tory “Ultras” that pushed for a hard Brexit are still loaded for bear on this matter.

Links 2/22/2023

Who’s Winning and Losing the Economic War Over Ukraine?

A stocktaking on the impact of the economic sanctions against Russia.

Incumbents Have the Upper Hand in Elections – Coordination Failures Give Them a Further Advantage

Incumbents do better than they ought to due to the opposition failing to unify sufficienlty against their main target.

Links 2/21/2023

Putin’s February 21 Speech: Hot Takes – Putin Speaks for a Strong, Self-Sufficient Russia

Putin was in fine form, focusing on domestic programs, wth no new battlefield plans. But he didn’t mince words about the West.

EU Gas Price Cap: An Exercise in Futility

The much -maligned EU gas price cap is not looking any better with age.

Public Pension Funding Average Now Below 50%, Yet Beneficiaries and Press Stay Mum

That light at the end of the public pension fund tunnel is the headlight of the underfunding train bearing down on them.