Here's the overall view from 1791 onwards:
Next, from 1945 to now:
Before that, The Roaring Twenties up to the end of World War II:
1900 - 1920:
1835 - 1900:
And from 1791 to 1835:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
US Public Debt - annual rate of change
And the rate of change in the past has been frightening at times.
Here's the overall view from 1791 onwards:
Next, from 1945 to now:
Before that, The Roaring Twenties up to the end of World War II:
1900 - 1920:
1835 - 1900:
And from 1791 to 1835:
Here's the overall view from 1791 onwards:
Next, from 1945 to now: Before that, The Roaring Twenties up to the end of World War II: 1900 - 1920: 1835 - 1900:And from 1791 to 1835: 
US Public Debt - the long view
The figures in the following graphs are from Treasury Direct. They are not adjusted for inflation, population size or GDP - all three of which would make interesting bases for comparison. But perhaps these pictures will show that the USA has come through equally bad, or worse, times before now.
Any more inconvenient truths?
"Only now can we afford the truth," concludes this book review . The book admits that the French Resistance made no significant difference to the course of the war, but the myth of the Maquis helped De Gaulle resist Allied attempts to break up the French Empire.
Do you believe that there is a right time for the truth to be revealed?
Can you give examples of any truths that should be revealed, or myths dispelled, now?
Do you believe that there is a right time for the truth to be revealed?
Can you give examples of any truths that should be revealed, or myths dispelled, now?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Chinese SWF: a subtle assault on the US dollar?
Jim Willie (a notable gold proponent) submits an interesting essay on China's influence in the currency and commodity markets.
Gold bugs say that the price of gold and other commodities has been held down by parties interested in maintaining the credibility of the US dollar. Willie thinks that the entry of a large Chinese sovereign wealth fund may foil such market manipulation in future, especially since the Chinese can back their hedge fund loans with their US Treasury holdings. An attempt to break a Chinese-held commodity position, if successful, could lead to a selloff of Treasuries and so crater the bond market, leading to raised interest rates and/or a drop on the dollar.
Between a rock and a hard place. This is what it is to be a debtor.
Gold bugs say that the price of gold and other commodities has been held down by parties interested in maintaining the credibility of the US dollar. Willie thinks that the entry of a large Chinese sovereign wealth fund may foil such market manipulation in future, especially since the Chinese can back their hedge fund loans with their US Treasury holdings. An attempt to break a Chinese-held commodity position, if successful, could lead to a selloff of Treasuries and so crater the bond market, leading to raised interest rates and/or a drop on the dollar.
Between a rock and a hard place. This is what it is to be a debtor.
Commercial real estate to crash?
Giant retailer Tesco has just sold and leased back 12 stores, netting £430 million (£458m, according to another source). This comes on top of another such move 10 months ago, which brought in another £605 million from 13 properties.
There's various ways you could interpret this - e.g. it could be a way to deflect criticism of Tesco's powerful position in the retail commercial property market, which some say has been used to prevent competitors setting up near their own outlets. But there are cheaper ways to deal with critics.
I think this billion-pound bet may be a straw in the wind - or perhaps an uprooted tree in the mighty gale - portending a significant fall in commercial property values.
There's various ways you could interpret this - e.g. it could be a way to deflect criticism of Tesco's powerful position in the retail commercial property market, which some say has been used to prevent competitors setting up near their own outlets. But there are cheaper ways to deal with critics.
I think this billion-pound bet may be a straw in the wind - or perhaps an uprooted tree in the mighty gale - portending a significant fall in commercial property values.
A fish rots from the head down
A month ago, we learned that Tony Blair's receipts have been "accidentally" shredded, so that we cannot examine his financial behaviour as keenly as his hapless ex-colleagues. Yet Guido's blog shows that the shredding was paid for, receipted and claimed as an expense.
Are there some people who just get away with it, for ever?
Are there some people who just get away with it, for ever?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Survival
In a Dublin talk last week, Dmitri Orlov bears out my repeated theme of diversity, dispersion and disconnection - the way in which efficiency and survival are at odds. It's also a theme of James Howard Kunstler. Even Rob Kirby's latest post refers to a "financial ecosystem" and asserts that the concentration of power at the top threatens the structure.
Big changes are on the way. Jesse reports on how the world is weaning itself off the dollar; the Contrarian Investor notes how China is cornering the market in rare minerals vital to modern technology.
There is a power struggle - a host of power struggles - going on. The good news is that life goes on, too. The bad news is that not everybody makes it.
Don't be the doughboy this time.
Big changes are on the way. Jesse reports on how the world is weaning itself off the dollar; the Contrarian Investor notes how China is cornering the market in rare minerals vital to modern technology.
There is a power struggle - a host of power struggles - going on. The good news is that life goes on, too. The bad news is that not everybody makes it.
Don't be the doughboy this time.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
What the blackbird said
Every morning, a blackbird in our neighbourhood starts to sing. It begins with two distinctive melodies, and then (like Eric Clapton in his Cream days) improvises beautiful, complex variations on these themes.
We do the same. We complain of encroachments on our liberty, the debauching of our currency and national wealth, the weakening of the bonds that tie society together, and so on. And we do it many times, passing judgment with our "wise saws and modern instances", like Shakespeare's magistrate.
We're not alone. In a well-worth-reading article today, former Tory minister Neil Hamilton tells it like it is now with our rulers: democracy is dead (not that it was ever much alive). It's especially disturbing that senior politicians will say this now, not just the cranks among the public.
But why are we singing? Simone de Beauvoir said, "Every good book is a cry for help"; who do we hope will make speed to save us? And why does he have a sword and sceptre in his hands? Because to ask for help is to surrender power.
So let us combine against the oppressor. But who will lead us? And how will they mutate as they convert our assent into fresh authority? Is a libertarian party ultimately doomed by its oxymoronic essence?
George Orwell said, 'All historical changes finally boil down to the replacement of one ruling class by another. All talk about democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity, all revolutionary movements, all visions of Utopia, or "the classless society", or "the Kingdom of Heaven on earth", are humbug (not necessarily conscious humbug) covering the ambitions of some new class which is elbowing its way to power ...'
Like charity, liberty, wealth and happiness begin at home. Let us waste no more of our dreaming time on the puppets that wish to master us; in a Berkleian way, they are created and maintained only by our perception. Neither vote nor revolt; ignore. Trying to change society is like sending flowers to a soap opera wedding.
The revolution is personal. How much of your time and money could you save, reorganise, invest to make you and yours happier? "Il faut cultiver notre jardin."
And in our garden, the birds will sing.
We do the same. We complain of encroachments on our liberty, the debauching of our currency and national wealth, the weakening of the bonds that tie society together, and so on. And we do it many times, passing judgment with our "wise saws and modern instances", like Shakespeare's magistrate.
We're not alone. In a well-worth-reading article today, former Tory minister Neil Hamilton tells it like it is now with our rulers: democracy is dead (not that it was ever much alive). It's especially disturbing that senior politicians will say this now, not just the cranks among the public.
But why are we singing? Simone de Beauvoir said, "Every good book is a cry for help"; who do we hope will make speed to save us? And why does he have a sword and sceptre in his hands? Because to ask for help is to surrender power.
So let us combine against the oppressor. But who will lead us? And how will they mutate as they convert our assent into fresh authority? Is a libertarian party ultimately doomed by its oxymoronic essence?
George Orwell said, 'All historical changes finally boil down to the replacement of one ruling class by another. All talk about democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity, all revolutionary movements, all visions of Utopia, or "the classless society", or "the Kingdom of Heaven on earth", are humbug (not necessarily conscious humbug) covering the ambitions of some new class which is elbowing its way to power ...'
Like charity, liberty, wealth and happiness begin at home. Let us waste no more of our dreaming time on the puppets that wish to master us; in a Berkleian way, they are created and maintained only by our perception. Neither vote nor revolt; ignore. Trying to change society is like sending flowers to a soap opera wedding.
The revolution is personal. How much of your time and money could you save, reorganise, invest to make you and yours happier? "Il faut cultiver notre jardin."
And in our garden, the birds will sing.
Giant US slush fund?
Karl Denninger continues to reflect on a story that hasn't had much coverage - two Japanese have been caught in Italy, attempting to smuggle $134 BILLION in bearer bonds. KD thinks it's part of secret additional financing for the US.
This is not quite as ludicrously James Bond-ish as it seems. Bear in mind that some time ago, Brad Setser studied Treasury bond purchases by China and the UK and concluded that the latter country was acting as an additional conduit for the former's loans.
Good news for the Italians - their law says they'll take 40% of the contraband.
This is not quite as ludicrously James Bond-ish as it seems. Bear in mind that some time ago, Brad Setser studied Treasury bond purchases by China and the UK and concluded that the latter country was acting as an additional conduit for the former's loans.
Good news for the Italians - their law says they'll take 40% of the contraband.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The housing market: qualifying my comments
Like many others, I'm in the habit of talking about "the housing market" in general terms. Surely this is no more helpful than talking about the average person's health, or the average temperature and climate of the Earth. In reality, there's a host of niches and scenarios - it's a sort of ecological system.
The London-based retiree looking for a bungalow in the South or South-West; the cereal packet family-of-four headed by a breadwinner; the pair of teachers deciding whether one can afford to go part-time; the buy-to-renter who sold out in time; the one who didn't; the rich guy dashing off a cheque for a Park Lane house to add to his international collection; the divorcee who bought out her ex-husband's share of the family home because she just can't let go; the car worker who's just lost his job; the Last Of England emigrant; the oldie looking for a sheltered housing apartment.
Houses sold by estate agent, by private treaty, by auction; houses sold, repossessed, swapped, abandoned, divided, combined, left as legacies, sold for care costs, seized by the law, occupied by squatters; flats, terraced houses, semis, detached dwellings. Brick and mortar, cruck, stone, straw bale, genuine and mock Tudor, eco.
Houses in central London, the London boroughs, the Home Counties, the provinces, Wales, Scotland and South-West; houses in thriving, decaying and recovering cities; in towns, villages, hamlets, lonely moors, islands; even a house on a pair of rocks on Newquay's beach.
How can one generalise meaningfully?
The London-based retiree looking for a bungalow in the South or South-West; the cereal packet family-of-four headed by a breadwinner; the pair of teachers deciding whether one can afford to go part-time; the buy-to-renter who sold out in time; the one who didn't; the rich guy dashing off a cheque for a Park Lane house to add to his international collection; the divorcee who bought out her ex-husband's share of the family home because she just can't let go; the car worker who's just lost his job; the Last Of England emigrant; the oldie looking for a sheltered housing apartment.
Houses sold by estate agent, by private treaty, by auction; houses sold, repossessed, swapped, abandoned, divided, combined, left as legacies, sold for care costs, seized by the law, occupied by squatters; flats, terraced houses, semis, detached dwellings. Brick and mortar, cruck, stone, straw bale, genuine and mock Tudor, eco.
Houses in central London, the London boroughs, the Home Counties, the provinces, Wales, Scotland and South-West; houses in thriving, decaying and recovering cities; in towns, villages, hamlets, lonely moors, islands; even a house on a pair of rocks on Newquay's beach.
How can one generalise meaningfully?
Why I think house prices must continue to fall
The West doesn't save enough and has borrowed too much, so it's going to be a moneylender's market. So, either:
- Interest rates go up, to make it worthwhile for lenders to continue financing us. This will cut into take-home pay and make it more difficult to service large mortgages. House prices will drop, and so, eventually, will rents.
- The government will continue pumping cash into the system, one way or another. Our currency will depreciate further. Imports will become more expensive - and we import essentials like food and fuel. Since we have let our industries wither, we cannot quickly turn to providing for our own needs. So prices will soar and remain high for a long time. This will cut into take-home pay and make it more difficult to service large mortgages. House prices will drop, and so, eventually, will rents.
"Eventually" is happening now, as it happens. We were looking for a place to rent, found one on the Internet at £595/month, looked round it last week and the agent handed us a details sheet with the asking rent: £450.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Return of the spiv
Schiff's on a roll - read him. It's long, but worthwhile, epecially the predictive part at the end. An Eastern credit strike, a collapsing dollar, rapid inflation, price controls and the development of a black market. Unless we bite the bullet and accept high interest rates and a further, bigger crash in house and share prices.
Charles Hugh Smith agrees.
Want to escape?
Try moving to Uruguay, for a "sustainable" lifestyle.
Or if you regard murder and suicide rates as indicators of general unhappiness, note the countries with low rates. (Also note how statistics is plagued with problems of accurate information, though.)
Or if you regard murder and suicide rates as indicators of general unhappiness, note the countries with low rates. (Also note how statistics is plagued with problems of accurate information, though.)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Euro and EU doomed?
Justice Litle thinks so.
Beg to differ on one point:
If the Brown government fails, Britain will be left rudderless in the midst of the worst fiscal storm in decades. In a worst-case scenario where bad events lead to worse decisions, opines Stephens, the domino chain could even lead to a British exit from the EU.
"Worst-case"? Au contraire, the sooner the better, and for the reasons he has given in his exploration of Europe's problems.
Beg to differ on one point:
If the Brown government fails, Britain will be left rudderless in the midst of the worst fiscal storm in decades. In a worst-case scenario where bad events lead to worse decisions, opines Stephens, the domino chain could even lead to a British exit from the EU.
"Worst-case"? Au contraire, the sooner the better, and for the reasons he has given in his exploration of Europe's problems.
What slows us? Not just the dollar; demographics, too
F. William Engdahl argues that a key factor in future economic performance is demographics, and there are foreign countries with younger populations that will come into their own.
Off with his security pass!
Jim Fedako argues that the point of democracy is not to serve the people, but to allow ousted leaders to lose their jobs while keeping their heads.
Does liberty mean no more than this?
Does liberty mean no more than this?
Life is a duck race
A few weeks ago, we watched a duck race in the Wye Valley. The ducks were emptied out of a big bag off the bridge at the same time, but at the finish a mile lower down, the winner was 20 minutes ahead of the second. Others had formed little groups and convoys, with stragglers and outliers.Seems like a metaphor to me. The winner certainly didn't paddle any harder or smarter than the others. How much of a part does luck play in our lives?
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