The U.S. Government's Bad Credit Means Higher Costs for Us All
Federal officials ignore repeated warnings, and we all pay the price.
Interest rates
'Bidenomics,' Like All Industrial Policy, Sucks
Plus: Does Tom Cruise really do all of his own stunts?
'Bidenomics' Is Nothing New
It's a familiar program. And it will result in higher prices, slower growth, and fewer jobs.
This Election Season, Beware of These False Promises
Many politicians offer a simplified view of the world—one in which government interventions are all benefits and no costs. That couldn't be further from the truth.
The Next President Needs To Cut Spending
At a minimum, the national debt should be smaller than the size of the economy. A committed president just might be able to deliver.
The Fed Won't Save Us From the Inflation Iceberg
Plus: Was Gerald Ford right to pardon Richard Nixon?
The Debt Ceiling Deal Does Not Go Nearly Far Enough
Projections of huge savings are making the rounds. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Debt Ceiling Fight Is a Reminder of America's Dire Fiscal Future
The longer we wait to address our debt, the more painful it will be.
The Government Wants To Cap Credit Card Late Fees. It Will Hurt the Poor.
Delayed payments will increase, and companies will respond by raising interest rates—or denying low-income applicants outright.
Regulators Seize First Republic Bank and Sell It to JPMorgan Chase
Plus: Twitter complies with a greater portion of government censorship requests, a judge allows an antitrust suit against Google to go forward, and more...
Don't Believe the Media Fearmongering About Spending Cuts
In 2019, discretionary spending was $1.338 trillion—or some $320 billion less than what Republicans want that side of the budget to be.
The Federal Reserve Was Supposed To Ease Economic Instability. Instead, It's Made It Worse.
A responsible political class would significantly reform the organization. Instead, they will likely continue to give it more power.
Of Course, the Trump Indictment Is Political
Plus: A listener asks the editors if the nation is indeed unraveling or if she is just one of "The Olds" now.
Biden's New Budget Would Hike Taxes and Wage Class Warfare
The higher taxes on small businesses and entrepreneurs could slow growth. Less opportunity means more tribalism and division.
Yes, There Are Libertarians During Bank Runs
Plus: The editors recommend the best books for sparking interest in free market principles.
How the Fed Broke Silicon Valley Bank
The Fed's anti-inflation measures had to hurt someone.
Everyone Is Learning the Wrong Lessons From the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse
Plus: Fox News troubles, junk statistics about illicit economies, and more...
To Win the Speakership, Kevin McCarthy Had To Promise To Cut Spending. Good.
While some Republicans may have had misguided motivations, a few disrupted McCarthy's campaign in order to enact fiscal restraint. Their colleagues were fine with business as usual.
Congress and the Federal Reserve Could Be Setting Us Up for Economic Disaster
If lawmakers keep spending like they are, and if the Fed backs down from taming inflation, then the government may create a perfect storm.
Congress Can Reduce the Deficit by $7.7 Trillion in 10 Years
The Congressional Budget Office projects that future deficits will explode. But there's a way out.
Republicans Need an Actual Plan To Grow the Economy
The biggest beneficiaries of economic growth are poor people. But the deepest case for economic growth is a moral one.
A GOP-Led Congress May Focus on Owning the Libs. Instead, It Should Focus on Owning Inflation.
If the midterms favor Republicans, their top priority needs to be the fight against inflation—whether or not they feel like they created the problem.
Don't Bet on Inflation Going Away Soon
"The history of developed countries since 1970 is very discouraging about the prospects of bringing down 8 percent inflation," says Larry Summers.
Latest GDP Numbers Aren't Calming Recession Fears
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that GDP grew 0.6 percent in the third quarter of 2022.
The 'Experts' Were Never Going To Fix Inflation
The idea that the Fed has the knowledge necessary to control the economy with perfectly calibrated policies was always an illusion.
Inflation Hits 8.2 Percent After Another Month of Sharply Rising Prices
Prices rose by 0.4 percent in September, faster than economists expected and indicating that rising interest rates aren't getting the job done.
Here's Why Biden Is Wrong About the Deficit
His administration has expanded deficits by $400 billion more than expected, even before we count recent spending.
Expected Interest Rate Hike Will Add $2 Trillion to the Deficit
So much for the idea that low interest rates meant the government could borrow endlessly with no consequences.
Democrats Are Trying To Push Through Another 'Build Back Better' Bill. It Would Only Make Inflation Worse.
Here's hoping we don't wind up with more of the spending and favoritism that's become so common.
A Wonky Evisceration of Biden's Bad Deficit Math
Interest rates and servicing costs could push us into worrisome territory sooner than we think.
Recession 'Virtual Certainty' as Interest Rates Spike
Plus: Libertarian Party drama, how rent control hurts renters, and more...
Blundering Into Escalation in Ukraine?
Plus: A listener asks if it’s possible for bureaucracy ever to be good.
America's Huge Pile of National Debt Makes Combating Inflation More Difficult
A one percentage point increase in interest rates translates into a $30 trillion increase in interest costs on the national debt.
If We Don't Get Inflation Under Control, It Could Unleash Some Dramatic Consequences
America needs to get its fiscal house in order.
Many Politicians Claim That Increased Spending Sparks Economic Growth. Here's Why That's Misleading.
A new study finds that as the government expands, the private sector shrinks.
Does National Debt Still Matter? America's Greatest Gamble
Fiscal hawks have been sounding the alarm about rising debt levels for decades, but their nightmare scenario of runaway inflation hasn't come to pass. How do we know if this time is different?
Negative Interest Rates Will Damage an Already Crippled Economy
Some economists believe that a negative interest rate policy will stimulate the economy by reducing the cost of loans. That isn’t how it has worked in practice.
Trump Gets What He Wants as Federal Reserve Interest Rate Target Drops to Zero
Paired with a new round of quantitative easing, the Fed takes us back to the 2008 playbook.
Don't Trade Stock Tips or Obsess About the Fed, Read Moby Dick Instead
You need to be inoculated from some strange but popular notions about the economy.
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates After Trump Calls for Zero Interest Rates
The rate cut is too little, too late for Trump, who says after the move that his Fed chair lacks "guts, sense, vision"
Trump Demands Zero Interest Rates From "Boneheads" at the Federal Reserve
Such a move would emulate other economies, risk inflationary bubbles, and benefit his businesses.
What Caused the 2008 Financial Crisis: Market Distortions or Market Failure? A Debate
Former BB&T Bank CEO John Allison vs. Moody's Mark Zandi
Fed Officials Will Continue Interest Rate Hikes in Face of Booming Economy
Minutes from the Fed's June meeting indicate that it will continue gradual interest rate hikes.
Does Fractional Reserve Banking Endanger the Economy? A Debate
Texas Tech University's Robert Murphy vs. Cato's George Selgin at the Soho Forum
The Cost of Carrying Debt
Low interest rates ease the pain of carrying so much debt. But in the long run, somehow, the U.S. will end up paying for it.
