government

The Economist, like many other Libertarian-minded publications and individuals, has soured on John McCain. One week ago their cover page story was "Bring back the real McCain" and this past week their storyline on McCain was that the man…

Mark Thoma has a thoughtful post on the news swirling around the Sarah Palin pick as VP candidate for the GOP. His point is that the Dems risk looking condescending and elitist toward small town America in their attacks on Palin and had…

Obama mentor Joe Lieberman is going all out for Obama's opponent in order to defeat Obama. Why, you ask, when he made quotes like this one in 2006 (via Political Wire):"The gifts that God has given to Barack Obama are as enormous as his…

Independents like myself who support Barack Obama and Democrats are busy trying to tear down John McCain's surprise pick for Vice President. They say she is less qualified than many other potential candidates that McCain could have…

In the US, the Republican National Convention has begun and as we prepare to watch the presumptive Republican nominee for President, it bears noting a little background into his character and past.One reputable source of background material…

I have a friend who is a very unusual and cosmopolitan blend. Satoshi is a Japanese guy who grew up in the deep south in New Orleans who I met when we worked together at a German bank in the high yield market in London ten years ago. He…

Not if you believe the figures from a University of Calgary - C.D. Howe Institute study comparing tax rates in 80 countries - remember, they're Canadians (hat tip Stephen Gordon). In this list, which includes all the major economies, the…

At first glance, a flair-up in the Caucasus region seems to have little meaning for Americans. But just as the collapse of the subprime mortgage market ultimately came to symbolize the beginning of the end of an American credit system run…

Yesterday and overnight, there was a ton of news in Europe, in banking and in geopolitics. So, I am going to alter the format of the round-up slightly and give you a rundown with links mixed in.The long and short is that the banking sector…

With sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) trolling the world for decent places to park their overflowing coffers of cash, the Germans have decided to stop them before they start.The German government has approved legislation that would enable it…