Saturday, February 7, 2026

Link 11/1/18

Economic Distress Did Drive Trump’s Win

Contrary to the dominant media narrative, social issues like racism and sexism on their own can’t explain Trump’s success.

As the Fed Tightens, Where Will the Credit Crunch Pinch First?

Who will feel the pain first in the coming credit squeeze?

What’s the Problem with Financialization?

Some of the analytical sleights of hand used to promote the ideology of financializatation.

2:00PM Water Cooler 10/31/2018

Today’s Water Cooler: China PMI, tariff exemptions, Pelosi “we will win,” ranked choice voting, AOC staffer benefits, Mike Duncan “How Republics End,” employment, employment cost, Apple, Necco, same-day delivery, stabilization wedges, maroons, Happy Halloween

Yanis Varoufakis: How the Italian Budget Fight Helps Brussels and Salvini, Hurts Europeans and the Eurozone

Contrary to popular perception, Brussels and the Italian government come out ahead from sparring over Italy’s budget, and what works for them does not work for much of anyone else.

Links 10/31/18

“Fatally Flawed” Paper on HAMP Mortgage Program Gets Program Design Backwards, Botches Regression Analysis, Yielding Propagandistic Findings

How a new paper on HAMP manages, by not understanding the program. to whitewash it as well as promote financialization.

Brexit Stress Rises: Pound Weakens on S&P Crashout Warning, Norway Nixes “Norway,” Migrant Status at Risk

Brexit news still looks decidedly uncheery.

Estimating the Impact of Climate Change Costs on Growth: Is Degrowth Already Here?

Some back of the envelope estimates show that the economic cost of climate change is already cutting into growth in a big way….and it will only get much worse.

2:00PM Water Cooler 10/30/2018

Today’s Water Cooler: Midterms handicapping, IA-04, MO Senate, consumer confidence, housing, empty containers, aircraft supply chain, scooters, Facebook, bulls and bears, bees, free case law, Hubble Telescope, paper towels v. air dryers

CalPERS Stakeholder Groups Refuse to Run CEO Marcie Frost’s Misrepresentations About Its Reckless, Unjustified Private Equity Scheme

CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost continues to damage her already-tarnished name by flogging a hare-brained private equity “new business model” for which she cannot provide a coherent justification.

Links 10/30/18

Michael Hudson: Rescuing the Banks Instead of the Economy

Michael Hudson on his themes of how banks are mainly funding real estate rather than the economy and the problem of failing to write down debt that can’t be repaid.

Marshall Auerback: So Far, the Big Trade War Loser Is China, Not the U.S.

China has more of a glass jaw than most economics commentators thought. But how is Trump’s trade war likely to progress?