Author Archives: radiofreemarket

A treaty with the EU or the ECB means nothing

From today’s Open Europe news summary: French Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg said yesterday, “[It is] inevitable that the ECB goes even further in its non-conventional monetary policies, by finally proceeding to the purchase of public debt securities if the euro … Continue reading

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I’ll punish you by starving my own people!

From today’s Open Europe news summary: EUobserver reports that Russia has retaliated against the signing of a new trade treaty between Moldova and the EU, by banning the imports of processed beef, horse meat, lamb and pork from Moldova. EUobserver Who … Continue reading

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Helping with the difficult transition to private life

From today’s Open Europe news summary: The Irish Independent reports that outgoing European Commissioner, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, is entitled to a total €432,000 EU pay-off over the next three years to help her adjust to life after Brussels. Irish Independent According to Wikipedia, this lady … Continue reading

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Bank of England Governor will hold back the tides

Re: The new normal is 2.5%, not 5% benchmark interest rate   Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England: “Why is that the case? Things have changed. Households have a lot of debt. The Government is consolidating its financial position. … Continue reading

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European “Champion” or European “Crony Capitalist”?

From today’s Open Europe news summary: Following the failed merger of Siemens and Alstom, which eventually joined with General Electric, France is reportedly pushing for an easing of the EU’s antitrust rules to allow the creation of European “champions”.  WSJ … Continue reading

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My letter to the Financial Times, London re: Here…take all the cocaine you want…

Dear Sirs: The Fed’s warning to banks that tougher stress tests are coming, so they should be making extraordinary preparations, is tantamount to passing out cocaine while warning that tough new drug tests will follow.  What does the Fed believe … Continue reading

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My letter to the Financial Times, London re: Socialized monetary union means constant meddling into sovereign affairs

Dear Sirs: Wolfgang Munchau’s post on June 23rd titled “Merkel versus Renzi for the future of the eurozone” illustrates the inherent weakness of the European Monetary Union.  Like all socialized services, the EMU requires constant meddling by foreigners into the … Continue reading

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My letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer re: Wanting to jail the wrong bankers

Dear Sirs: Mr. Joseph N. Distefano’s column “Should some bankers be in jail?” targets the wrong the bankers.  Sure, private sector banks made what ultimately came to be revealed as bad loans, but why would they do this?  There is … Continue reading

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Understanding the Price Level

When I teach Austrian economics, I spend a lot of time explaining the three uses of money–holding, spending, and investing–and how only spending and investing affect the overall price level.  This helps my students understand that the total money supply … Continue reading

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My letter to the NY Times re: UKIP is neither left nor right

Re: Populist Party Gaining Muscle to Push Britain to the Right Dear Sirs: It is about time to end the inaccurate labeling of all political parties as either of the left or of the right.  The ultra left is always … Continue reading

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