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

Wells Fargo: the FDIC didn’t blink, so Paulson intervened?

Stormy noted that Wells Fargo’s bill is based in part on “exploiting a presumed tax loophole.” I forgot to ask the question one should always ask when confronted with a Chess Ending problem, “What was the move before?” In this case, we know (from A C Shareholder’s comment) that Wells had been discussions to purchase […]

Dear Brad, This is the person you say we "don ‘t have time" to worry about

My Loyal Reader sends another example of those glorious, worthy individuals about whom “we do not have time” to worry: Former [AIG] Chief Executive Officer Maurice “Hank” Greenberg may try to end government involvement in the company “as prompt [sic] as possible,” his attorney David Boies said in an interview this week. Greenberg…has said the […]

Responding to incentives; Notes on Canadian Provincial Differences

The first thing my uncle (who has lived in the Toronto area since, I believe, the late 1950s) asked was “Why on earth are you going to Quebec instead of Ontario?” Considering the evidence, he may have a point. Comparison of Licence Plate mottos: Quebec Province: Je me souviens (which I would translate to “I […]