Category Archives: Free markets and their discontents

For Homeless Seniors, Getting Into Stable Housing Takes a Village — And a Lot of Luck

Another indictment of America’s claims of superiority: a coming tsunami of homeless elderly

Actuaries and Scientists Warn Climate Shocks Risk ‘Planetary Insolvency’ as Power Struggles About How to Rebuild LA Begin

A new report shows a 50% GDP fall from 2070 to 2090 due to climate change. Los Angeles gives a taste of coming struggles about what to do.

Closing Ranks: Organised Labour and Immigration

Quelle surprise! Historically, high levels of immigration in the US led to more union formation.

James Galbraith: How the Fed Became Less Powerful Despite Weakened Congressional Oversight

Fifty years ago the actions of the Fed mattered. Today, as far the aggregate measures of America’s domestic economy go, they do not.

Make America Healthy Again: Is MAHA a Trope or a Movement?

A look at MAHA’s recommendations, per the Casey Means book Good Energy, and why they are an affluent-focused, neoliberal prescription.

U.S. Sanctions on China’s Oil Firms Are Just the Beginning Under Trump

A discussion of some moves Trump is expected to take to try to contain China, starting with energy and avoiding use of the dollar.

Trump’s HUD Secretary and Our Reverse Robin Hood Housing System

A Trump-Turner housing agenda appears destined to continue the worst aspects of the US approach to affordable housing.

Wanting More for BRICS Than BRICS Wants for Itself

More realistic takes on BRICS, including by Michael Hudson.

Weaponizing the US Dollar. Can It Work?

Michael Hudson refines and extends recent discussions on the future of the dollar, particularly under Trump, and finance-dominated capitalism

Americans’ Rage at Insurers Goes Beyond Health Coverage – The Author of ‘Delay, Deny, Defend’ Points to 3 Reforms that Could Help

On the prevalence of claims processing fraud by insurers and what if anything can be done about it.

Europe Races to Refill as Gas Reserves Dwindle

A look at another act of European self-destruction in the name of harming Russia, here on the gas supply front.

What Has Happened to Our Grand Experiment, the Internet?

With AI threatening to crapify online life and even generate geopolitical chaos, Congress needs to reinstate the Office of Technology Policy

DOGE: Nations Aren’t Corporations and ‘Efficiency’ Means Austerity

Why DOGE, if implemented on the scale intended, will be a train wreck for the great majority of Americans.

Michael Hudson: Cracks in the Empire – Is the American Superpower Fading?

Michael Hudson provides a new, wide-ranging talk on the US hegemony-preservation efforts and what they mean for Europe, Russia, and BRICS.

Tech Law in 2025: A Look Ahead at AI, Privacy and Social Media Regulation Under the New Trump Administration

Team Trump’s tech industry regulatory plans have gotten less attention than some other initiatives. An overview helps fill this lapse