SIGTARP Comments

I found some interesting comments in the SIGTARP January 30 2010 Report to Congress: http://www.sigtarp.gov/reports/congress/2010/January2010_Quarterly_Report_to_Congress.pdf From the Executive Summary, which begins on Page 5: “Many of TARP’s stated goals, however, have simply not been met. Despite the fact that the explicit goal of the Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) was to increase financing to U.S. businesses and consumers, …

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Political Volatility

Over the last few years the political scene has become more volatile, swinging from heavily Republican to heavily Democratic.  Now, it appears as if the political volatility is increasing yet again, with the recent election of Scott Brown and the unexpected hurdles Ben Bernanke is facing during his reconfirmation.  Many incumbents (and political appointees) who until recently seemed …

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Characteristics Of The Housing Bubble

Given the incredibly outsized intervention efforts in the residential real estate market, I think it is important to examine some dynamics of the real estate bubble. Here is a chart from the 12/15/09 Contrary Investor commentary that I believe is interesting, as it depicts some underlying residential real estate fundamentals.  It shows the equity and mortgage …

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More On The Fannie/Freddie Developments Of December 24

Here is a Wall Street Journal editorial on the December 24 developments at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  This editorial provides some new perspectives on the matter: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704152804574628350980043082.html My original comments on these developments was on December 28. I feel it is critically important to understand the extent of intervention as it pertains to the housing market.  Fannie …

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Ron Paul – “Be Prepared for the Worst”

I would like to comment on a commentary by Ron Paul in the November 16 edition of Forbes.  It is titled “Be Prepared for the Worst” and subtitled “The large-scale government intervention in the economy is going to end badly.” The commentary can be found at this link: http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/1116/opinions-great-depression-economy-on-my-mind_print.html While I don’t agree with everything that Ron …

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The Hyperinflation Theme

One of the more prevalent themes mentioned has been the possibility, or probability, of hyperinflation.  Hyperinflation is often mentioned due to the degree of “money pumping” and other intervention measures that have occurred in the last two years to combat this period of economic weakness. However, despite all of the predictions of hyperinflation, there appears to …

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My Thoughts on More Stimulus, Part IV

This is the fourth and last post (for now) with regard to my thoughts on the idea of further stimulus. At this juncture, one is led to wonder “what if more stimulus is enacted?” What may be its potential size and composition?  As seen in the following video interview of Christina Romer: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1170636023&play=1 her view on the …

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My Thoughts on More Stimulus, Part II

Perhaps one of the first questions that should be asked with regard to our current economic difficulties is “Do we Understand the Problem?”  I discussed this concept in the article “President Obama’s Greatest Challenge” (listed here as the fourth article): https://www.economicgreenfield.com/prosperitybypencom-directory/ Do we understand the problem?  I will leave that question unanswered, for now.  However, some aspects …

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My Thoughts on More Stimulus, Part I

Recently, there have been calls by some for additional stimulus. As I believe this issue deserves significant analysis and discussion, the next few posts will address various facets of this issue. I would like to start addressing the issue by calling attention to an article I wrote in January.   It is titled “My Overall Thoughts …

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