Europe

From Eric Peters, CIO of One River Asset Management, here is a topical anecdote, as well as a review of the key events in the past week.

Weekend Notes

“Where’s the beef?” bellowed Biggie Too. “Health care, regulation reform, tax cuts – where’s it at?” continued the Chief Global Strategist for one of those too big to fail affairs.

“You boys were always gonna face this moment,” barked Biggie, sliding into a slow groove.

Authored by MN Gordon via Acting-Man.com,

Style Over Substance

“May you live in interesting times,” says the ancient Chinese curse.  No doubt about it, we live in interesting times.  Hardly a day goes by that we’re not aghast and astounded by a series of grotesque caricatures of the world as at devolves towards vulgarity. Just this week, for instance, U.S. Representative Maxine Waters tweeted, “Get ready for impeachment.”

The Democratic Party’s Death by Identity Politics

Guest Column by Michael Hudson

Read it. It is superb.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/46733.htm

Wall Street First
By Michael Hudson

In several major economies it's crunch time for the future of cash. Goldman Sachs notes that this is largely policy-driven: tangible steps are being taken to wean economies off cash (e.g. India, Europe); but adds that, at the same time consumer expectations around convenience are rising and enabling technologies have proliferated in the shape of contactless cards, mobile wallets, cryptocurrencies and more.

So, they ask, does the decline in cash payments imply the demise of cash?

Not necessarily.

Authored by Jayant Bhandari via Acting-Man.com,

India’s Rapid Degradation

This is Part XI of a series of articles (the most recent of which is linked here) in which I have provided regular updates on what started as the demonetization of 86% of India’s currency. The story of demonetization and the ensuing developments were merely a vehicle for me to explore Indian institutions, culture and society.

The Modimobile is making the rounds amid a flower shower. [PT]