Category Archives: Banana republic

The Obamamometer’s Toxic Legacy: The Rule of Lawlessness

Obama’s legal legacy: Those who voted for hope and change got change at the Department of Justice but not the change they were hoping for.

Wolf Richter: Come on Moody’s, Spare Us These Falsehoods: That $1.3 Trillion “Overseas Cash” Is Already in the US

Moody’s turns into tax lobbyist for its biggest corporate clients.

A Colorado Ballot Measure Could Make it Nearly Impossible to Ban Fracking

Green groups hope to amend the Colorado constitution so communities can ban fracking. An industry-sponsored amendment could block that.

Creating a National Security State ‘Democracy,’ Or How the American Political System Changed and No One Noticed

The stealthy rise of America’s new fourth estate.

How Your State and Local Tax Dollars Paid for Private Equity Firm TPG’s Elton John Appearance

Yet another example of how private equity operates by its own set of self-serving rules.

CalPERS Plans to Violate California Constitution, Pave Way for Hiring Under-Qualified Candidate, for Critically Important Job of Chief Actuary

CalPERS is up to no good yet again.

TRIPS: The Story of How Intellectual Property Became Linked to Trade

Why intellectual property rights are a form of private tax, and how they are abusive when applied to IP developed out of public funding.

Private Equity Consultant Hamilton Lane Trots Out New Excuse, “Evil Populists,” for Already-Flagging Private Equity Performance

Funny how it’s OK for defenders of the 0.1% like Hamilton Lane to blame class warfare on their soon-to-be-fallen standing, but not the 99%.

Nomi Prins: Hillary Clinton Will Continue the Big Bank Protection Racket

Hillary Clinton has apparently never met a well-heeled banker she didn’t like….

“Hilariously Corrupt”: Former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt Attacks Elizabeth Warren for Criticizing SEC Inaction; He Did Just That in 2015

Apparently it’s OK for former chairmen like Arthur Levitt to criticize the SEC, but not senators, and above all not Elizabeth Warren.

Dean Baker: Rigged – How Globalization and the Rules of the Modern Economy Were Structured to Make the Rich Richer

Dean Baker explains how market structure, which results from policy choices, legislation, and regulation, serve the rich first and foremost.

Bill Black: Debt Derangement Syndrome – Saving Our Grandkids from Wall Street

Debt scaremongering is baaack! Why Pete Peterson and his budget falsehoods are a danger to your and your grandkids’ financial health.

Rise of the Politics of Rage

Is rage the undercurrent of increasingly anti-globalist politics?

Validating Wikileaks Emails [Just The Facts]

Why the claim that Wikileaks e-mails were doctored looks to be false, and journalists are falling down on the job in not checking themselves

Why Not Listening to Naked Capitalism Is a Mistake (and We Mean You, CalPERS)

How your support has helped us get CalPERS to pay attention and shape up even when most assuredly didn’t want to.