Author Archives: radiofreemarket

UKIP’s Roger Helmer on costly “playground technologies“.  The German word for a costly but less efficient product is “ersatz”.  It’s primary use is during wartime, during which the nation is forced to use less suitable products.  Today politicians everywhere are … Continue reading →

We use the term “reserve currency” when referring to the common use of the dollar by other countries when settling their international trade accounts.  For example, if Canada buys goods from China, it may pay China in US dollars rather … Continue reading →

Arctic leaders talk in Russia about tapping riches without ruining environment http://rt.com/news/arctic-forum-russia-putin-315/ The nations of the world are right to discuss opening the Arctic to economic development without threats of national conflict. Austrian economic theory points the way.  Previously untapped … Continue reading →

Eurozone governments must give up more power to avoid another crisis, say IMF economists http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/10333439/Eurozone-governments-must-give-up-more-power-to-avoid-another-crisis-say-IMF-economists.html The IMF–whose mandate for existence ceased when the US went off the gold standard in 1971…yet, like Dracula, it still walks the earth, sucking the … Continue reading →

Draghi wants permanent eurozone bailout fund ECB president Mario Draghi wants a 500 billion euro bank bailout fund, as if a one time bailout is all that is needed.  However, the core problem has not been addressed.  Fractional reserve banking … Continue reading →

I know, I know. I’m preaching to the choir – and it’s the same sermon taught every Sunday – but let’s talk about the recent announcement by the Federal Reserve. A lot of pieces of advice are given, but I … Continue reading →

From Open Europe news summary of September 20, 2013: European Commission finance officials have tentatively reached an agreement to adjust the way the ‘structural deficit’ of eurozone countries is calculated. This could allow for an easing of austerity since more of … Continue reading →

From today’s Open Europe news summary: The ECB’s Money Market Contact Group, a panel of industry members who advise the ECB, have called for the central bank to renew its three year long term refinancing operation (LTRO) next year due … Continue reading →

A friend asked me if I were surprised by Bernanke’s statement that the Fed would not end or even slow down it $85 billion per month bond purchases.  Here is my reply: Not at all.  Bernanke knows that he has a Hobson’s … Continue reading →

Greece not meeting Troika’s agreement to cut civil service jobs I’m shocked!  Shocked! (Not really) that the Greeks are not living up to their promises to cut civil service jobs in order to get the latest round of bailout money.  … Continue reading →