TomK

Politics_And_Law

What is social justice?

Bell_curve

A socialist fight narrative to destroy voluntary order like the free market

charts_and_numbers

USA became Europe's largest trade partner again. I would say: 'well played!' Cutting out russian gas off the ecuation was a game changer so far.

![](https://m.stacker.news/69031)

US became Europe's Largest Trade Partner Again

news

President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the European Union, demanding an increase in the purchase of American oil and gas to offset the trade deficit. Trump made it clear through his social media platform, stating that failure to comply would lead to the imposition of tariffs on European imports. 

"Buy our energy, or brace for tariffs," was the essence of Trump's message, highlighting his intent to leverage economic policy as he prepares for his second term in office starting January. 

This move signifies Trump's ongoing strategy to use tariffs as a tool for rebalancing trade relations, which he considers pivotal for U.S. economic interests.

Trump Warns EU: Buy More U.S. Energy or Face Tariffs

econ

New data reveals a slight cooling in U.S. inflation rates for November, with the PCE and Core PCE indices both falling short of forecasts. 

PCE Price Index showed a year-over-year increase of 2.4%, undercutting the expected 2.5% and slightly above last month's 2.3%.
Core PCE, excluding volatile food and energy prices, rose by 2.8% annually, below the anticipated 2.9% and consistent with the previous month.

Month-to-month figures also indicated a slowdown:
PCE growth was only 0.1%, missing the 0.2% prediction and down from last month's 0.2%.
Core PCE similarly grew by just 0.1%, against an expected 0.2% and down from 0.3% last month.

USD and yields should moderate now

US: Inflation Metrics Dip Below Expectations

bitcoin_beginners

What things did you have to unlearn?

cryotosensei

Well, to be honest: btc. But I had strong libertarian tendencies before and knew in my bones that it was flaw. The btc community put my thinking in the right direction

Oh yes. Where to start... the fundamentals of economics in academia are keynesian theories which implies a crucial function of gov intetvention. The illusion that it's possible to implement makro management successfully via the yield and spending channels. No austrian school theory, no praxeological analysis, no real mikroeconomic thinking

Japan's Central Bank Holds Steady at 0.25%, Eyes on Future Rate Hike

The Container Throughput Index remained stable in November at 131.9 points, according to the RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL). 

While European ports reported a robust increase in activity, continuing their recovery trend, Chinese ports experienced a significant decline, with the index falling from 142.2 to 141.1 points, marking a continuous drop since August.

The North Range Index, which signals economic health in Northern Europe and Germany, also saw an increase, moving from 114.5 to 115.9 points.

RWI's chief economist, Torsten Schmidt, highlighted the contrast between the weakening Chinese container traffic and the strengthening European ports.



November Container Traffic: European Surge Amid Chinese Decline

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has maintained its interest rate at 0.25% for the third consecutive meeting, signaling caution amidst global monetary policy shifts. While the Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points, the BoJ's decision was not unanimous, with one board member advocating for an increase to 0.5%. Naoki Tamura, formerly of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, highlighted upward inflation risks as his rationale.

Insiders suggest that BoJ officials are confident that Japan's economy is on track for stable inflation supported by wage growth. However, they remain watchful of domestic and international political developments, including the economic policies of President-elect Donald Trump and tax reform discussions in Japan. Recent positive economic indicators support the argument for a tighter monetary policy.

Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics noted, "Consumer prices have regained momentum in recent months. With inflation in services broadening, the BoJ should trust that price pressures are domestic rather than imported."

Keynesianism which they implemented in our virgin brains at university

1913 has been a pivotal year in US history. It was the year when the great theft had been institutionalized by establishing the fed and starting to implement european socialusm step by step. 

Take taxation. The trend of household income tax return filings from 1913 to 2008 presents a compelling narrative of state expansion and the erosion of individual liberty. The data, as illustrated in the chart, reveals a stark reality: the growth in tax compliance is not merely a reflection of economic prosperity but rather an indicator of the state's increasing reach into the personal lives of its citizens.

When the 16th Amendment was ratified in 1913, allowing for a federal income tax, the number of households filing returns was negligible. This was a time when the government was relatively minimal in its scope, and individual freedoms were less encumbered by federal mandates. However, as the graph shows, this changed dramatically with the onset of the Great Depression and World War II, where the state's need for revenue escalated, leading to a dramatic increase in tax filings.

From a libertarian standpoint, this surge in compliance is not a victory for societal order but a testament to the coercive power of the state. The spikes in compliance during wartime and economic crises suggest that compliance was driven by necessity or force rather than voluntary participation. The libertarian ethos champions voluntary interactions; yet, here, we see the state imposing its will upon the populace, not through persuasion but through obligation.

The period post-WWII, where the percentage of households filing tax returns peaks before stabilizing, indicates a new norm where the state has embedded itself into the everyday lives of Americans. This normalization of tax filing, reaching near 100% compliance, could be viewed as a loss of freedom, where citizens are not merely participating in a social contract but are compelled to do so under threat of penalty.

This level of state control over personal finances is antithetical to the principles of liberty. The graph does not just show economic history; it reflects the gradual, often forced, expansion of the state's influence over individual lives, where the line between voluntary participation and coercion becomes blurred.

![](https://m.stacker.news/68355)

USA: The Illusion of Voluntary Taxation

In November, U.S. industrial production saw a slight decline of 0.1% compared to the previous month, defying economists' forecasts of a 0.3% increase, according to the Federal Reserve. Capacity utilization also dropped to 76.8%, down from October's revised 77.0%, missing expectations of 77.2%.  

On a brighter note, U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% in November, surpassing the anticipated 0.5% increase. Excluding auto sales, the gain was a modest 0.2%, falling short of the predicted 0.3%, as reported by the Commerce Department.  

These figures reflect a mixed economic picture, with industrial output faltering while consumer spending remains resilient.  

US Manufacturing Dips in November, Retail Sales Defy Expectations

As already indicated yesterday, we are currently experiencing a massive narrative change in Europe regarding Bitcoin. First the debate in the German Bundestag, then today a contribution in the European Parliament, and the media sector now portraying Bitcoin mining as a net positive for the European energy grid. Amazing! 

![](https://m.stacker.news/68219)

Bitcoin in Europe Faces Narrative Shift

Davos Is Falling: Trudeau next to resign?

After the collapse of the french and german globalist governments Canada's commie Trudeau seems to resign soon. Next: UK!
Looks like the Trump effect gets more steam weeks before taking office! Dsvos is done, but they'll won't go under without max distruction. Buckle up, friends, it's getting interesting!

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/report-trudeau-considering-resignation-or-prorogation-9962843




bitcoin

Germany: Ex Finance Minister Lindner Critizises Bitcoin Decision

You can see the stupidity written in these faces

Germany's Political Turmoil: Snap Election Amidst Trump's Ukraine Withdrawal

New York's manufacturing sector has taken a significant downturn, with the regional business activity index plummeting to a mere +0.2 in December. This figure, reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, starkly contrasts with economists' expectations of +10.0, following a previous month's robust +31.2.

Conversely, the broader US economy showed signs of resilience. According to S&P Global, the composite PMI for both manufacturing and services sectors climbed to 56.6 from November's 54.9, signaling continued economic expansion as readings above 50 indicate growth.

US Economic Pulse: Manufacturing Dips, Services Surge in December

He's a bitcoiner for sure. I know him since my first engagement for the FDP as a free lance press agent 25 years ago. And I think Davos dropped him and his party. 

Germany's political landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as Chancellor Scholz loses a confidence vote, garnering only 207 votes out of 717, leading to the abrupt dissolution of the coalition government. This comes at a critical moment as former President Trump's decision to pull out from Ukraine adds immense pressure on European nations, including Germany, which is now bracing for a snap election on February 23.

The move by Trump has not only strained transatlantic relations but has also amplified the challenges for European countries already grappling with collapsing governments and looming sovereign debt crises. This confluence of events could significantly alter the political and economic stability of Europe.

Bundestag Speaker Bärbel Bas officially ended the coalition era, setting the stage for what could be a highly contentious election period. Analysts warn that these developments might exacerbate the already fragile economic situation, potentially leading to a severe government debt crisis.
