Taxes and Spending

Deficits still matter, largely because they require monetary policies that lead to bubbles, inequality, and the slow Japanization of the US economy. 

There are ominous signs on the horizon that governments want to move toward mandating "socially responsible investing" for pensions and fund managers. This is a terrible idea, to say the least. 

Jeff Deist calls in to A Neighbor's Choice to comment of the covid stimulus bill, the possibility of inflation, and the positive things we can look forward to during this Christmas season.

Financial engineering doesn’t create any real wealth.

Emerging market debt-to-GDP hit nearly 250 percent in the third quarter, with China reaching 335 percent, and for the year the ratio is expected to reach about 365 percent of global GDP.

Not only is taxation theft, but by taking away part of the money you earn, the government is forcing you to work for it.

The slogan "taxation without representation" implies that taxation with representation is both possible and moral. But the idea of political representation is fraught with errors.

Remember savings bonds? They were popular before the central bank made sure that safe, low-interest investments became a thing of the past. 

Prop. 15’s attempt to undermine California Prop. 13’s property tax protections for businesses has apparently failed.

A trade deficit isn't actual evidence that anything is wrong. But if it were, one of the best things to do would be to reduce government spending. Unfortunately, politicians disagree.