Since his return to office in January, President Donald Trump has called on Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell to cut interest rates which Powell and the Fed’s Board of Governors have refused to do. In typical child-like behavior when he doesn’t get his way, Trump has hurled insults at Powell calling him a “stupid person,” … Continue reading The Trump – Powell Spat: A Distraction from the Debt Crisis
Another milestone (or more accurately millstone) was recently passed by the U.S. economy as the January trade deficit surged to an all-time record high of $107.6 billion, up some $26 billion from December’s $80.7 billion imbalance.* Like the gigantic federal budget deficit, the trade imbalance is no longer talked about by the financial press. There … Continue reading America’s Trade Deficit: An Enormous Concern
So far, President Trump’s economic response to a potential coronavirus outbreak and a further stock market sell off has been expected – calls for more interest rate cuts and an additional round of monetary stimulus. For the stock market, economy, and the virus itself, neither measure will have their desired effect and, in fact, may … Continue reading Memo to The Donald: Cut Tariffs NOT Rates
The efficacy of a metallic monetary system is beyond dispute at least among real economists which eliminates just about 95% of whom are now engaged in the “profession.” Money, which gold is, allows for specialization, the division of labor, and provides the means for mankind to escape from barter and, thus, a primitive existence. Like … Continue reading The Ethics of a Gold Standard
Fed Chair Jerome Powell apparently doesn't see the pernicious effects of inflation At one time, the Federal Reserve’s sole mandate was to maintain stable prices and to “fight inflation.” To the Fed, the financial press, and most everyone else “inflation” means rising prices instead of its original and true definition as an increase in … Continue reading The Fed’s “Inflation Target” is Impoverishing American Workers
Antonius Aquinas 