Category Archives: Politics

The War Nerd: Taiwan — The Thucydides Trapper Who Cried Woof

Parsing the war of words (and some deeds) between the US and China, particularly over Taiwan.

Expose at Pennsylvania’s Biggest Public Pension Fund Reveals Lavish Private Equity Travel, But Misses How It Serves as a Bribe

Pennsylvania pension fund PSERS is under the hot lights for pricey travel. And its explanations only confirm its capture by private equity.

Michael Hudson Asks Our Readers: If Democracy Winds Up Creating Financial Dominance, What Do We Call China?

Michael Hudson seeks reader input on what to call modern governments not run by traditional nobles or financial interests.

Trump Remains at the Heart of the Republican Party

Don’t be deceived by the absence of tweets – Trump remains at the heart of Republican politics and fundraising efforts.

FTC, Where Art Thou?: Appliance Manufacturers Routinely Invalidate Warranties if Customers Use Third-Party Repair Services

Appliance manufacturers say their waranties are voided if consumers use third-party repair servces, despite contrary FTC guidelines.

Stock Buybacks Stand in the Way of Biden’s Infrastructure Plan

Hedge fund managers are pushing U.S. firms to play Wall Street games instead of investing in technologies of the future.

Fact-Checking is Dead, Killed by Snopes over Biden’s Broken Promise of $2,000 Checks

Snopes: $2,000 = $1,400

Despite Federal Moratorium, Increasing Number of Texas Renters Face Eviction as State Protection Expires

A Texas program meant to financially help renters who have fallen behind has barely taken root.

Mitch McConnell to U.S. Business: Stay Out of Politics – But Keep Those Contributions Coming

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tells U.S. business: stay out of politics, but keep those campaign contributions coming.

IMF, World Bank Must Support Developing Countries’ Recovery

COVID-19 continues to take an unprecedented human and economic toll; international institutions must support developing countries’ recovery.

New COVID Variants Have Changed the Game, and Vaccines Will Not Be Enough. We Need Global ‘Maximum Suppression

Vaccines alone won’t stem the COVID-19 pandemic: the case for why much mre still must be done, on a blocal basis.

Wikipedia’s Deep Ties to Big Tech

Contrary to its image as a cash-strapped, open public service, Wikipedia tries to hide that it is a wealthy NGO with close ties to big tech.

FBI Investigating Reporting Fraud at $62 Billion Pennsylvania Public Pension Fund, PSERS; Returns Allegedly Falsified to Avoid Increased Worker Contributions

A major public pension fund, PSERS, looks to have been cooking its books, to the degree that the FBI is asking difficult questions.

New York Joins Pot Party

New York becomes the fifteenth state to legalise possession of marijuana for those over the age of twenty-one.