Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Volatility in the Emerging Markets

by Joseph Joyce Volatility in the Emerging Markets Volatility has returned to the financial markets. Stock prices in the U.S. have fallen from their September highs, and the return on 10-year Treasury bonds briefly fell below 2%.  Financial markets in emerging markets have been particularly hard hit,. The Institute for International Finance estimates that $9 […]

Low flush fallacies

David writes a short and ‘meant to encourage discussion’on retail level water use and campaigns to ‘save’ water. In short, the question/answer involves taking a look at what the whole cycle is for your watershed, which many of us are only vaguely aware. The comments that follow at Aguanomics are helpful in considering responses. by […]

SEASIDE SOCIALISM

Back in 2007 the state of Florida changed the way to insure beach properties and is mentioned at Angry Bear here. Reuters reports here here and Waters edge crisis. SEASIDE SOCIALISM Breakneck development at the shore has trapped Florida in a costly Sisyphean effort to maintain its perpetually eroding beaches. More than a tourist attraction, […]

Martin Wolf’s Warning

by Joseph Joyce Martin Wolf’s Warning It is time for the 2014 Globie—a (somewhat fictitious) prize I award once a year to a book that deserves recognition for its treatment of the consequences of globalization. (Previous winners can be found here.) The financial turmoil of the last week makes this year’s award-winner particularly appropriate: Martin […]

Both the rich and ordinary Americans misunderstand their economic interests

by Linda Beale Both the rich and ordinary Americans misunderstand their economic interests There is class warfare going on, right now, all across this country.  It’s highlighted by the election gimmicks and gambits of those on the right who claim to be supporting ordinary Americans but whose real intentions show in the results. And it […]

The result of taxpayers’ financial bailout of GMAC

Linda Beale announced her return to blogging after the death of her husband here.   (Dan here…Welcome back to blogging Linda.) by Linda Beale The result of taxpayers’ financial bailout of GMAC GMAC, as most of you likely know, was General Motors’ financial group.  GMAC had originated as a means for the auto company to […]

International Debt and Financial Crises

by Joseph Joyce  (re-posted from Capital Ebbs and Flows) International Debt and Financial Crises The latest issue of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook has a chapter on global imbalances that discusses the evolution of net foreign assets (also known as the net international investment position) in debtor and creditor nations. The authors warn that increases […]