Cronyism and Corporatism

In a previous post titled, “Why Doe

US entry into WWI assured a decisive Allied victory, but it also assured a victory for politically-connected US bankers who used the new Federal Reserve System to send newly-printed money to the Allies.

Commercial real estate in the US faces major problems despite efforts by the Federal Reserve System to prop it up. Bonds used to finance commercial real estate markets are being hit especially hard, and there is no relief in sight.

Critics of free markets claim that the 1980s and 90s were near-pure laissez-faire when, in reality, the regulatory state only got stronger. 

Those carrying out government directives are even less bound by law than they were a few years ago, and talk about new bureaucrats is beginning to resemble the Kremlinology of the Cold War.

President-elect Trump has promised changes in economic policies. How well they work and how they will affect us remains to be seen. Here is a look at proposals that have promise—and proposals that are likely to cause harm.

A modern misconception of antebellum slavery is that it “built the country.” Actually, the institution of slavery, economically speaking, was a deadweight loss to the US economy.

Progressives blame the free market for insulin prices and want to impose price controls. But, government regulation is to blame. 

The watchword among progressives this election season is: “Nothing less than our democracy is at stake.” In truth, democracy itself is not in danger, but one can accurately say that “democracy,” as practiced in the US, endangers our lives.

Birkin bags are pricey and the producer restricts its potential buyers. Unfortunately, disgruntled customers who don’t want to follow the company’s rules are now appealing to US antitrust law.