Author Archives: Yves Smith

The Return of la Marine

Today, the divide from which Marine Le Pen profits has reached alarming proportions, most recently with the eruption of the revolt of the gilets jaunes.

Brexit: Disintegration

Brexit crunch week starts. And something will break, it’s just not clear precisely what.

Bill Black: Tom Friedman Just Noticed that the UK “Has Gone Mad”

Bill Black uses Tom Friedman’s recognition just this week that Brexit is a mess as the foundation of a detailed takedown of Friedman’s propaganda, um, views.

Meetup Reminders: Washington, DC This Friday April 12 with Matt Stoller; Boston Thurs April 25; Milwaukee Wed May 1; Minneapolis Thurs May 2

Hope you can make one of our upcoming get-togethers! See our meetup times and venues.

Links 4/6/19

New York Sues Big Pharma for Opioid Crisis

The Sackler family and PurduePharma profited from opioid-related “suffering and death,” NYC AG Letitia James charges. White collar criminologist and law professor Bill Black weighs in.

3 Questions That ‘Created Havoc’ in Betsy DeVos’ Department of Education

Betty DeVos has trouble answering questions on charter school fraud. Quelle surprise!

Links 4/5/19

The Delphic Oracle Was Their Davos: A Four-Part Interview With Michael Hudson: A New “Reality Economics” Curriculum Is Needed (Part 4)

How mainstream economics ignores the lessons from antiquity on the destructiveness of oligachies, and how early industrialists and business schools promoted anti-rentier, socialit policies.

The Biggest Problem in the War on Cash

Banks and retailers are running into strong political opposition to restricting the use of cash.

The Media Endlessly Talks About Interest Rates—Are They Even an Effective Economic Tool at This Point?

Interest rates are a poor substitute for fiscal spending and as we’ve seen, over-reliance on monetary policy produces speculative booms and busts. More and more people recognize this formula isn’t working, but what will it take to change course?

Links 4/4/19