Political Economy

This comes from Bloomberg News: Estonia is set to meet its goal of adopting the euro in 2011 because of the Baltic country’s work on fulfilling fiscal requirements, European Union Economic Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said.…

I will limit my comments in this post since I am so thoroughly disgusted with Washington’s giveaways to special interests.  But I have to bring up health care reform and its likely non-impact on improving American’s economic situation…

Last night on CBS’ 60 Minutes, President Obama attacked Wall Street as “fat cats,” saying he was not elected merely for their sake. Obviously, the President is now keenly aware of how his political capital is being lost due to the bailout…

See also FT.com - Berlusconi assaulted at Milan rally

Matt Taibbi is one of the few commentators in the mainstream media who is not worried about ‘access’ and has, therefore, been free to write much more critically about the economic crisis and reform efforts on Wall Street. His first piece…

This December 2009 post is a reminder of the issues at stake with Greece. It is not credible for the EU to lend psychological and political support given the debt loads now burdening the Greek government. More is needed, either financial…

Hat Tip Tim Iacono

This piece comes from Sam Stein at the Huffington Post The allegation of a quid pro quo was based on an email that Durbin received last spring after his amendment to allow judges to modify mortgages for homeowners who enter bankruptcy…

Andy Xie believes ultra-low interest rates in the U.S. and elsewhere are fuelling an asset price bubble which will pop dramatically in 2012.  In his view, the policies of the world’s central banks are reckless and will lead to worse…