Category Archives: Free markets and their discontents

Climate Change: Insuring the World of Tomorrow

Leading edge conventional wisdom on the role of insurance as climate disasters increase underestimates the severity of the problem.

How Scientists Can Adapt to a New Normal

In the wake of attacks on the research enterprise, scientists need to focus on protecting its fragile infrastructure.

Trump Presents the Gravest Threat to Social Security in Its 90-Year History

Cuts to the Social Security Administration are cuts to Social Security. Raise hell with your Congresscritters about this looting

Checking In on the Democrats’ Search for the “Good Billionaires”

What role is elite reconciliation under Trump playing in the Democrats’ silence on the looting of country? And in the meantime, where shall the rest of us turn?

“SOTU” Reactions: Business Press Turning on Trump as Tariffs Whack Markets, Look Set to Increase Inflation, Approval Falls and Even Republicans Getting Restive

Despite the Republican applause during Trump’s State of the Union speech, the business press is sounding alarms.

The GENIUS Act: Setting the Stage for a Federal Bailout When Stablecoins Become Insolvent

Why the GENIUS Act does not live up to its pretenses of making stablecoins safe, thus setting the stage for a Federal bailout.

DOGE Taketh Away From the Many as Trump Pays Off Crypto Bros With New “Strategic” Fund, Above All, Crypto Czar David Sacks

We warned that crypto was closely aligned with criminal activity. The open grift of the new “strategic” Trump fund proves that case.

Jane D’Arista on How the Failure of Global Finance Is Systemic

Jane D’Arista describes the internationalization of finance and how is has produced not just crises but fundamental economic distortions

With RFK Jr. in Charge, Supplement Makers See Chance To Cash In

Why dietary supplement fans should be worried about RFK, Jr.’s plan to weaken their already lax regulation.

US Secondary Sanctions “Have Seriously Damaged” Russia-China Bilateral Cooperation

Russian experts say US secondary sanctions are damaging Russia-China commerce. But their solutions don’t seem to be close to implementation.

America First Deepens World Stagnation

Quelle surprise! America First is another leg down in the developing-country-unfriendly policies the Collective West has pursued.

EU Consumers Don’t Trust US Goods: A Look into Trump’s Trade Deficit Claims

Why trade deficits can’t always be solved by price, as in tariffs or currency manipulation.

Trump’s No-Prisoners Approach to Iran-China Oil Crackdown

The US plans further sanctions on intermediaries like tankers and broker that facilitate Iran oil sales to China. Will they work?

“We Must Fund Oppositions Properly to Save Democracy”

The Financial Times’ Martin Wolf, like quite a few others, looks for ways to save democracy from itself, as in rule by voters.