As the G-20 opens — UPDATED

As the leaders of the G-20 gather in London, an interesting dichotomy in views has become apparent.  The continental European leaders are generally reluctant to follow the US lead in adopting massive government stimulus programs to try to jump-start their faltering economies.
Deservedly, the bulk of the blame is being placed on the collapse of the [...]

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Too tightly wound to unravel

We’re learning a bit more about the “unprecedented powers” that President Obama and Sec. Treas. Geithner are seeking to deal with instability that exists in the financial system. But to understand what’s needed going forward, it’s important to see how we got here.
In the 1920s, commercial banks were selling stocks to their customers in addition [...]

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When do we get the regulations?

Perhaps I’m just impatient.  Perhaps Treasury needs to staff up first.   But rather than trying to figure out “legal” ways to restrict salaries and bonuses for the folks in companies getting public bailout funds, I’d much rather see Congress work on re-regulating the system.  Sure, it doesn’t fuel populist anger like taxing bonuses does, but [...]

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Government CAN work

Those of you who’ve read my disclosure statement already know that I think government has a role beyond the protection of military (national level), fire and police (all levels).  Seems others agree.  I offer this as evidence:

Drop in price of crude oil when Congress began hinting that perhaps reining in the speculators might be in [...]

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