U.S. Economy

Thanks to the exponential growth of government and regulation, the optimistic society of Back to the Future is fast becoming the dystopian world of Escape from New York or Death Wish.

In the wake of the Arab Oil Embargo of 50 years ago, Congress banned U.S. export sales of crude oil. The results were different than what government "experts" imagined.

In the wake of bad news on inflation, the Federal Reserve is pushing up interest rates. However, a Fed-induced higher rate is not the same as an interest rate decided by the market.

Mark looks at the "Home Town" entrepreneurs in Laurel, Mississippi.

As the US economy sours, look for a wave of new bankruptcies. The Fed cannot pull any rabbits out of its monetary hat this time.

The affordability crisis is upon us. Housing, food, you name it, life is becoming expensive. The government blames business, but perhaps government officials should look in the mirror.

Compared to how most other people in the world live, Americans have a high standard of living. And despite the talk about inequality, there is more economic and social mobility here than anyplace else.

Niccolò Machiavelli, who often is criticized for his views on using political power, understood the dangers of unchecked government spending. Perhaps our own political leaders should read "The Prince."

As the economy slowly deteriorates, consumer debt rises. In the meantime, the Fed is pushing up interest rates to deal with the inflation it caused. This does not end well.

Forget Vegas sports betting for reckless speculation. When the Fed officials make projections, the markets assume they are accurate. However, as Jerome Powell himself admits, forecasts are speculative at best.