Author Archives: Yves Smith

Trump as “Consequence, Not Cause” of the Collapse in the Post Cold War Consensus

How press and pundit fixation on Trump diverts public attention from power structures that work against ordinary Americans.

Public Pension Funds Regain Some Lost Ground in a Good Year, But CalPERS Lags Peers

CalPERS again falls short for its beneficiaries and California taxpayers.

GOP and Democrats Push Trump on Tax Reform

Both parties only have sketches of tax reform plans, and each has basic deficiencies.

Links 8/8/17

Private Equity Flouts State Regulations by Buying Medical Practices

State regulators have ignored private equity firms buying medical practices when many states bar non-MDs from owing them.

More Brexit Confusion: UK Judges Can Use New ECJ Precedents Post Brexit

The UK is trying to have it both ways on ECJ rulings post Brexit in a manner that seems destined to create a mess.

Quelle Surprise! Financial Firm Fines Are Way Down Under Trump

The latest sighting on how financial firms are getting off easy, yet have the bad taste to complain about their paltry punishments.

Democrats Pushing the “Compete” Word to Justify Doubling Down on Failed, Middle-Class Destroying Neoliberal Policies

Democrats are now telling voters they only need to compete better…and offer policies that have repeatedly failed to “help”.

Links 8/5/17

Bribery, Cooperation, and the Evolution of Prosocial Institutions

A look at ways to reduce bribery and other forms of corruption.

Yes Men Target “Better Deal” #DNCTakeBack Scam

The DNC’s Better Deal scam is barely out of the box and the Yes Men are already making fun of it.

Let’s Face It: Monetary Policy Is Failing

Why one of the core precepts of monetary economics is all wet, yet central bankers rely on it even when it keeps failing in practice.

Links 8/4/17

Austerity in One Country: The Case of Britain

A devastating review of the recent history of austerity in the UK.