Author Archives: Yves Smith

The Financial Crisis That Spawned Austerity, Corporatized the Democratic Party and Gave the World Donald Trump

Why New York City’s fiscal crisis was a watershed event.

As Clinton Blames Comey & Russia, Authors of “Shattered” Expose Aimless Campaign

One of the authors of the Clinton campaign expose Shattered describes some of the ways in which the campaign undermined itself.

How Financialization and the “New Economy” Hurt Science and Engineering Grads

How the “new economy” devalued science and engineering degrees.

Gaius Publius: Trump – A Nation in Crisis, Again

Trump’s opponents are using the Comey scandal to up their efforts to force Trump out. Is this likely to succeed?

Illinois Bill Targets Carried Interest Loophole

The Illinois, New York and Connecticut legislatures are end-running the Feds by going after the carried interest loophole.

In Bleak Prognosis, Italy’s Financial Regulator Threatens EU with Return to a “National Currency”

European officials continue to dither while Italy’s banks burn.

Links 5/11/17

International Arbitration Is the Way to Settle the UK’s Brexit Bill

Arbitration would be a good way to resolve the thorniest Brexit issue, of settling the tab. But politics seem to preclude a sensible outcome.

Secretly Approved in Alaska, Will LNG Trains Soon Appear in Rest of US?

LNG trains were approved in Alaska, in apparent violation of NEPA rules. Are they coming to your state too?

Ilargi: Comey and the End of Conversation

Political and media reactions to the Comey firing show that American democracy is becoming dangerously factionalized.

VA Hospital Forcing Patients to Use Facebook and Twitter

So why is the VA promoting Rule by Facebook?

Links 5/10/17