Category Archives: Guest Post

The Extraordinary Generosity of Central Banks Towards Banks: Some Reflexions on Its Origin

Central banks provide even more gimmies to banks than you likely realized.

Links 5/15/2023

United Pilots Picket for Better Contract After American, Southwest Counterparts Authorize Strikes

Will “the most pro-labor president in history” get to smash another looming strike?

The EU Looks Doomed to Repeat its Russia “De-Risking” Strategy with China

Plans are lacking, but that hasn’t stopped Brussels before.

Links 5/13/2023

Understanding Your Cat’s Wild Side

In “The Cat’s Meow,” evolutionary biologist Jonathan B. Losos explores the ancestral roots of the modern housecat.

The Taliban and the Islamic State Continue to Fight for Afghanistan’s Future

True to form for US nation-breaking exercises, Afghanistan is afficted by continuing facional power strugges.

2:00PM Water Cooler 5/12/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

The Fed’s Interest Rates Are Still Fueling Inflation Rather Than Dousing it, and People Getting Used to this Inflation

Contrary to popular opinion, Fed interest rate policy is still permissive, if not quite as permissive as before.

One of the Few South American Governments Still Closely Aligned With Washington Just Signed a Trade Agreement With China

China continues to pull off big commercial and diplomatic coups in the US’ neighbourhood — this time with Ecuador, whose government is (or was) so closely aligned with the US that it recently asked Washington to directly intervene in its drug wars.

PBMs, the Brokers Who Control Drug Prices, Finally Get Washington’s Attention

Why it isn’t easy to slip the leash of PBMs.

Big Food Raking in Huge Profits From Price Hikes as US Hunger Persists: Analysis

Big food company profit-goosing price hikes confirms that the Fed is barking up the wrong tree in going after labor.

Links 5/11/2023

How Trade Fragmentation Affects Bank Credit Supply

Engaging in more bilateral trade to bypass the dollar fragments the activities of major international banks and even affects locak players.

NY Times Is Wrong on Dedollarization: Economist Michael Hudson Debunks Paul Krugman’s Dollar Defense

Michael Hudson calls out Krugman for invoking the favorite libertarian trope of hyperinflation.