Author Archives: Yves Smith

Confirming Our Chicago Meetup Next Friday, March 24

I hope to see Chicago area readers next week at our meetup! Details here.

How Common Ownership is One Route to Social Transformation

Can changes in ownership rules tame the bad features of capitalism?

Links 3/16/17

Here Come the Robots: Your Job Is at Risk

How robots threaten jobs in emerging economies.

February Jobs Report: Hitting on All Cylinders but Wages

Economists and the Fed are declaring victory on jobs while merely delivering yet more stagnant real wages. Nicely played!

Mainstream, Pro-EU Rutte’s VVD Beats Populist, Anti-Immigration Wilders in Dutch Election

Far right winger Geert Wilders fails to cinch a win for his party in the Dutch election, contrary to polling in recent months.

Taxing Robots?

Contra Bill Gates, economists are not keen about taxing robots.

Links 3/15/17

Can Uber Ever Deliver? Part Nine: The 1990s Koch Funded Propaganda Program That is Uber’s True Origin Story

The perception that Uber is a competitive success comes from a recycled propaganda campaign.

Flint Official Escapes Imprisonment, Only Has to Write Apology Letter

The optics around a Flint water plea deal are not good.

New Oil Price War Looms As The OPEC Deal Falls Short

The OPEC deal last year was weak and is vulnerable to US shale players increasing production.

Links 3/14/17

More Railroading of CalPERS Board: General Counsel Withholds That Fiduciary Counsel Candidate Is Leading Case That Undermines CalPERS and CalSTRS

Yet more abuses and derelictions of duty by CalPERS’ general counsel Matt Jacobs. Please circulate this post to CalPERS and CalSTRS members.

Whose Costs? Who Benefits? – A Close Reading of a Hospital System CEO’s Prescription for Controlling Health Care Costs

A hospital system CEO makes some questionable recommendations about containing health care costs.