Author: James Wesley Rawles

The editor of the Mountain Steps Blog recently presented an interesting timeline of the Weimar Republic Hyperinflation. “The Frontman” sent us a link to an interesting article about the coinage shortage in Argentina. Americans take note: This could happen here, too! Currie sent us this from The Times: Swedish banks fear writedowns; Financial turmoil in the Baltics is rocking Sweden’s banks, after Latvia’s failure to raise money in a bond auction. Currie’s comment: “Another domino tumbles…” Items from The Economatrix:s Temporary Work Masks Joblesseness Unemployment hits “9.4%” GM to Sell Saturn Brand to Roger Penske Chain Stocks Waver After Better-Than-Expected …

The welfare state, firmly entrenched: Benefit spending soars to new high (1 in 6 dollars of income come from governments checks. Let’s not forget: Every dollar that is “given”, must first be “taken” from someone.) Thanks to G.H. for the link. Currie sent us this: Latvian debt crisis shakes Eastern Europe. When sovereign debt markets disintegrate, you can expect governments to topple. And it won’t just be pipsqueak nation states like Iceland and Latvia that are at risk. From reader C.S.: Medical bills underlie 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies: study Julian Robertson’s Steepener Swap Play (Shorting US Treasuries) When Julian …

Frequent content contributor GG sent this: Toxic assets ‘bridge too far’ Also from GG: come this from mainstream (Wall Street Journal) commentator Brett Arends: Is Your Portfolio Ready for Hyperinflation? Germany Blasts ‘Powers of the Fed’ Reader A.C. flagged this: Experts Fear U.S. Will Suffer Zimbabwe-Level Inflation From Trapper Mike: Dollar Declines as Nations Mull Reserve Currency Alternative Items from The Economatrix: Bernanke: Start Work Now to Curb Deficits “Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the panel’s highest-ranking Republican, raised concerns about the budget deficits and the Fed’s own actions to stimulate the economy, including buying government debt. “This can be …