Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The Execution of the CFPB: Capitalism Survives Another Attempt to Save It

A discussion of Elizabeth Warren’s naivete about the predatory nature of capitalism.

2:00PM Water Cooler 2/10/2025

~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; A typical day in the Trump White House, per the NY Post; Elon on political economy (with handy diagram); Stoller on Trump gutting the CFPB; The 1918 Influenza Pandemic and the Rise of Italian Fascism ~

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  • Climate Minsky Moments: Why They May Matter Less Than Expected

    “Climate Minsky moments” do not warrant delaying ambitious climate policy.

    We Are Disabling Comments

    We are turning off comments on new posts effective immediately.

    US History of Duplicity Means Impossibility of Negotiated Settlements, Including Ukraine; Could a Government in Exile Be Coming?

    Why there will be no deal between the US and Russia on Ukraine: the US really is incapable of entering into an agreement it will respect.

    Links 2/10/2025

    Paradise Is a Police State: Examining the Techno-Optimism of Billionaire Silicon Valley Investor (And Unofficial Trump Administration Adviser) Marc Andreessen

    The unlimited AI and energy now being unleashed is supposed to usher in a new utopia centered around low wages and prices. So why are Andreessen and friends so intent on a police state as part of the grand experiment we’re all being enlisted in?

    ‘So Much for Lowering Costs’: Fury Over Musk’s Death Wish for CFPB That Returned Over $20 Billion to Consumers

    Revealingly, Musk makes closing an agency that keeps billionaires like him from cheating ordinary citizens a top priority.

    Southern District of NY Pauses DOGE Data Hoovering in State AG’s Case: The Issues, and an Excursion into Federalist 51

    DOGE is a dog’s breakfast, considered as a separation of powers issue.

    Links 2/9/2025

    On the Front Lines Against Bird Flu, Egg Farmers Say They’re Losing the Battle

    infectious disease experts agree that the risks to human health of continuing current protocols are unsustainable, because of the strain of bird flu driving this outbreak.

    Links 2/8/2025

    Medicaid Work Requirements Could Boot 36 Million People Off Their Health Coverage: Report

    “Work requirements are simply another way to cut Medicaid.”

    It’s Going to be Torture as the Path to Starmer’s Inevitable Demise Is Rolled Out

    A Starmer death watch sighting.

    2:00PM Water Cooler 2/7/2025

    ~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; Possible Democrat strategies against DOGE; The notion of “racial capitalism” decried; Gallery: Hole punches ~