Cronyism and Corporatism

The latest release of Epstein files again highlighted how disgusted and frustrated people have grown with the current elites. Yet they remain essentially untouchable. Why? 

Trump is clearly focused on building a legacy in his second term with his domestic vanity projects and dramatic foreign interventions. But his actual legacy is shaping up to be defined by his lack of progress on affordability.

When it comes to the great political economist John C. Calhoun, most people love him or hate him. In this episode, economic historian Patrick Newman joins us to take a more balanced look at Calhoun, his origins as a War Hawk and nationalist, and why he was never a true Jeffersonian.

The Fed’s cost overruns in its building renovation project supposedly are not borne by taxpayers because, as the myth goes, the Fed is “self-financing.” However, the Fed’s “earnings” come from interest payments from the government, payments made by...taxpayers.

As an official Public Policy Hooligan, James Bovard is well-known for some of his zingers. Here are some he wrote in 2025.

Donald Trump’s war against Venezuela is truly a racket, as it looks to be little more than an attempt to loot the nation of Venezuela’s natural resources in the name of “liberation.”

The new “Donroe Doctrine” that is used to justify the US invasion of Venezuela is in line with how the state seizes power and then finds ways to justify actions that are unjustifiable.

Donald Trump’s war against Venezuela is truly a racket, as it looks to be little more than an attempt to loot the nation of Venezuela’s natural resources in the name of “liberation.”

Trump justifies his war on Venezuela by saying that “they” stole “our” oil. Unpacking this claim gives us insight into Trump’s version of crony capitalism.

As government continues to engage in reckless actions from inflation to starting wars, people develop shorter time horizons, creating social vacuums. Increased gambling and other irresponsible behaviors then fill the void.