Archive for August 16th, 2009

Saving Jobs In Mexico For Chrysler

Tell me again why we saved Chrysler. From the WSJ: Under the direction of Fiat SpA, Chrysler Group LLC is devising plans to produce the Italian auto maker’s Fiat 500 subcompact at a Chrysler plant in Mexico, according to people familiar with the matter, while considering what other Fiat models to introduce to the U.S. market. Chrysler […]

Excess Capacity And Socialism

One of the least reported aspects of this recession and in my opinion perhaps one of the most important is the incredible excess capacity that has developed throughout the world. There is just too much of everything. Too many factories to produce things, too many houses for people to buy and too much commercial real […]

Japan’s Economy Shows Growth In Q2

Japan’s GDP grew at a 3.7% annualized rate in the second quarter. Output was up 0.9% over the first quarter. Demand from other Asian countries was credited with the bump up. Given the sputtering history of the Japanese economy over the past twenty years, I wouldn’t be breaking out any party hats quite yet. more: […]

Political Quotes Of The Week

Political quotes of the week from Politico.com. Here are a couple of samples: “So change ur last Tweet Arlen.” — Sen. Chuck Grassley, getting in a Twitter fight with Sen. Arlen Specter over health care “Oh, you gotta be careful about them cable networks.” — President Barack Obama, at a Montana town hall meeting on […]

Germany Cracks Down On Its Banks

While we dither about bank reregulation, the Germans have got on with their business. Today they announced significant new regulation for the banking sector. These are some of the new rules: Stress tests have to be performed for all identifiable risk sources including liquidity shortages. In their risk management, the banks will be required to […]

The Health Care Public Option Gets Thrown Under The Bus

The administration is backing away from the public option as a condition of any new health care plan. In fact, you could say they’re running away from it at a fairly rapid pace. From Politico.com: President Barack Obama and his top aides are signaling that they’re prepared to drop a government insurance option from a final health […]

Comic Relief

A lighter look.