Beneath the sweet surface of our favorite treats lies a bitter reality: inflation has sent cocoa prices soaring to unprecedented heights. Once deemed the food of the gods and now a daily indulgence for millions, chocolate is facing a dramatic upheaval as wholesale cocoa prices have rocketed past $11,000 per ton. Our guest commentator explains why this startling surge is a result of meddling from the Fed, leaving chocolate lovers and manufacturers in a squeeze.
(For our favorite gold chocolate bar, see our Gold Valcambi Combibar)
As fiscal imbalances persist, driven by coercive measures and artificial currency creation, the middle class faces erosion and purchasing power dwindles. But as the world hurtles towards a potential reckoning, the lingering question remains: can this precarious balance last, or are we teetering on the brink of a cataclysmic economic shift?
Beneath the veneer of headline job gains, the American economy teeters on the brink: native employment dwindles as part-time and immigrant jobs surge. Government hiring camouflages looming recession warnings. Inflation and political blunders worsen the crisis, fueling public outrage at the establishment’s mishandling of the economy.
On April 5 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt abandoned the gold standard, wielding questionable legal power amidst America’s dire economic depression. His whimsical approach to monetary policy, including coin flips and lucky numbers, unleashed unprecedented inflation and price increases that have since amounted to nearly 2500%. Our guest commentator explores this tragic history and the legacy of enduring economic turmoil that still plagues America today.
Welcome to the world of modern economics where the term “inflation” no longer signifies the increase in the quantity of money, but has evolved into a plethora of buzzwords. From “shrinkflation” to “greedflation,” these new terms and semantic shifts are by no means harmless but a manipulation of popular sentiment. Von Mises said they play “an important role in fomenting the popular tendencies toward inflationism.”
Assuming CPI measurements are not understatements, the dollar’s value has plummeted by a staggering one-fifth since 2020, yet, rather than acknowledging its role in fueling this economic turmoil, the Biden administration deflects, casting capitalism and corporate greed as the villains. The latest February CPI data show more signs of the upcoming inflation bloodbath.
The Federal Reserve is often viewed as a neutral guardian of the economy, tasked with safeguarding employment and ensuring stable prices. However, the Fed is run by individuals who, like anyone else, are swayed by certain motivations. Do the people behind the Fed truly have the incentive to remain impartial? Our guest commentator demystifies the notion of ‘Fed neutrality,’ revealing the intersections of politics and policy within its operations.
Rampant government spending continues to mask fundamental weaknesses in the US economy. Recently, national debt grew much faster than the economy for the third quarter in a row, just one of many warning signs concerning legendary investors. Our guest commentator explains just how much the government is spending to make the economy seem strong, even as the US remains in the midst of a “private sector recession.
In a compelling guest piece by American historian H.A. Scott Trask, various economic myths are scrutinized and debunked through insightful historical analysis. The article delves into #10 prevalent misconceptions, providing a nuanced understanding of economic principles. Similar to other reality-based historians, Trask’s perspective serves as a valuable guide in dispelling lies and fostering a more accurate comprehension of economic truths.
The US economy is bloated. Years of massive spending and stimulus fed government bureaucracy and elites, but left behind record-high debt and stagnant income for everyone else. It’s no wonder Americans don’t see a healthy economy. Our guest commentator delves into this disconnect.
