Alternative Visions
181 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 24 ratingsDr. Jack Rasmus will focus on today’s continuing crisis in the U.S. and global economies.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Alternative Visions- US Inflation, the Fed, and Ukraine-Israel Wars Update
April 15, 2024 11:53 - 56 minutes - 104 MBToday’s show covers the key events, economic & political, of the past week: US latest inflation numbers and trends, why Fed rate cuts are off the table, instability in regional banks and commercial real estate continue, Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s remarks on rate hikes at 8% and ‘soft landing’ scenario, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in China. In Politics, whether war between Israel-USA with Iran is imminent, latest developments on French & NATO troops in Ukraine, the coming Russian big offe...
Alternative Visions- Shifting Strategies in the Ukraine War
April 05, 2024 19:01 - 55 minutes - 101 MB2024 is junctural year in Ukraine war. All three parties’ strategies—US/NATO, Ukraine, Russia—are in flux and changing as fallout from Ukraine’s summer 2023 offensive defeat by Russia continues to reverberate in political terms and as Russia offensive in 2024 emerges. What were the parties respective strategies in 2022, how did they shift in 2023, and how are they about to change again in 2024 are discussed in today’s show. Some likely scenarios by year end 2024 and US elections in November....
Alternative Visions- Contradictions in US Economy, Policies, and Challenges to the US Global Empire
April 03, 2024 11:42 - 57 minutes - 105 MBHow the US economy is different today from 1930s and becoming increasing so due to technological change, financialization, and other forces. Why 21st century US fiscal and monetary policies are increasingly inefficient, ineffective and exacerbating the deficits, US debt, and running up unsustainable interest payments on the debt. Income and Wealth inequality thresholds for the 1% in the US economy today. Challenges faced for the future hegemony of the US empire-not just China, not even BRICS...
Alternative Visions- Russian Mall Attack, Europe’s Economy & US Treasury Market
March 29, 2024 19:03 - 55 minutes - 102 MBLatest on evidence of Moscow’s Mall Terrorist attack. Pros & Cons of evidence to date Ukraine sources’ involvement. Putin’s dire warning re. F-16s. Is Macron’s threat to send troops suspended? Will Europe re-arm and create its own defense industry? Euro economy stagnating vs. USA economy modest growth; Why is USA GDP positive in 2024? US recent Inflation statistics. Is the US Treasuries market growing unstable with $23T bonds issued in 2023? Janet Yellen in China and future of the US dollar.
Alternative Visions- Bad (Good) News Comes in Threes?
March 18, 2024 18:57 - 57 minutes - 105 MBToday’s show reviews 3 important speeches of the past week: by Putin, France’s president Macron, and US Senator, Chuck Shumer. Speeches related to the US 3 wars in progress: Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, and Yemen. The Macron speech, an interview, reflected his retreat from the threat to send French-NATO (along with Baltics & Czech) to Ukraine. Deeper, it reflects chaos within EU/NATO as what strategy to implement now that Russia is defeating Ukraine and Trump-US may leave Europe holding the Ukraine...
Alternative Visions- How US Presidents Become Multimillionaires
March 04, 2024 12:37 - 57 minutes - 106 MBFollowing initial comments on the Federal Reserve’s just issued Monetary Report’s warning about bank assets declining in value, this week’s show focuses on the topic of how US Presidents become multimillionaires after leaving office. Corruption by politicians promises to be a major campaign theme on both sides in the election this year. Republicans and Democrats are pushing their stories: Trump’s tax avoidance & Biden’s kickbacks through his son, Hunter Biden’s connections with oligarchs in ...
Alternative Visions- Ukraine War and the Ghost of Clausewitz
February 29, 2024 12:30 - 55 minutes - 102 MBToday’s show is dedicated to a discussion of the current state of the War in Ukraine. The theme is an analysis of the military action and strategies of both sides since the February 2022 start of the war, using the benchmark of the Principles of War famously proposed by Von Clausewitz. Examined are the first Russian offensive of 2022 followed by the Ukrainian offensive later that year. Then the disastrous second Ukrainian offensive of fall 2023 that crashed on the rocks of Russia’s 2023 Defe...
Alternative Visions- Is the Global Economy Slowing?
February 19, 2024 12:29 - 56 minutes - 103 MBToday’s show looks at the important key economies of the world as a growing number begin to slip into recession: new data shows Japan’s economy has been contracting the past six months. Germany has entered recession. So too has the UK. The Eurozone economy as a whole is stagnant. Global manufacturing has been contracting for some months among the G7 economies. Meanwhile China faces growing problems in its property (construction) sector and with emerging deflation in consumer goods prices as...
Alternative Visions- Carlson-Putin Interview
February 09, 2024 20:02 - 55 minutes - 102 MBDr. Rasmus analyzes the Tucker Carlson-Putin Interview in detail today. What did Putin say about the war, its causes, prospects and future of NATO?
Alternative Visions- How US Media ‘Cherry-Picks’ US Statistics to Report
February 07, 2024 12:39 - 57 minutes - 105 MBToday’s show addresses the US media’s practice of reporting the most favorable statistics on jobs, unemployment, inflation, wages, GDP from the mountain of data provided by the US Labor and Commerce departments. Dr. Rasmus gives a deep dive into the statistical reports to show why job gains last month may not be 353,000 but much less; why Biden’s claim of 3.1m jobs created last year may be only a third of that; why inflation is higher than reported; why one US survey says unemployment rate i...
Alternative Visions- 2023 US GDP Analysis In Depth
January 29, 2024 12:40 - 57 minutes - 106 MBToday’s show is dedicated to dissecting the just released US first report on 2023 GDP by the Commerce Dept. Dr. Rasmus breaks down the various contributing elements to US GDP (Consumption, Business Investment, Government Spending, and Net Exports) to identify where the changes in GDP in 2023 were strongest and weakest. Explained as well is how the methodology for estimating inflation (GDP deflator price index) serves to low ball price changes and in turn boost the real GDP number of 2.5% fo...
Alternative Visions- Soft Landing’ Revisited & Previewing 2023 GDP
January 23, 2024 12:35 - 58 minutes - 108 MBWhether ‘soft landing’ of the US economy—with inflation assumed to continue to abate and GDP to continue to grow—is in the works is the main topic of today’s show. Explained in depth is how US price index estimates are key to determine whether ‘soft landing’ will occur. Dr. Rasmus explains how the 3 US price indexes (CPI, PCE, GDP Deflator) are basically estimated, and why the lowest inflation estimator, the GDP Deflator, which is used to come up with GDP numbers, artificially boosts real GD...
Alternative Visions- 2023 Review + Colorado-Maine Ballots
January 02, 2024 12:25 - 59 minutes - 109 MBToday’s show reviews the main economic & political events of 2023. Topics on the Economy include: US GDP & ‘Soft Landing’ talk; Inflation and Jobs trends; the March 2023 regional bank crisis; US Budget >$1T Deficit & $34T National Debt; the June US Debt Ceiling deal in Congress; major union strikes and contract negotiations; Chat-GPT & Artificial Intelligence; the Federal Reserve’s interest rate pause; Russian sanctions; Ukraine War funding; China’s economy and global economic slowdown. Topi...
Alternative Visions- Has Union Concession Bargaining Ended in 2023? + Why the CPI Underestimates Inflation
December 18, 2023 12:28 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBToday’s show addresses two important developments of the past year. Dr. Rasmus reviews the major union contract settlements of the past year (Railroad, Teamsters, Longshore, Auto) to determine if the past 44 yrs of union concession bargaining has finally ended in major contract negotiations in the USA. Concession bargaining ‘markers’ like 2-tier wages, in benefits, hiring of temps, ending of COLAs, and other contract provisions are reviewed. Result: Latest Teamsters (UPS) and Auto Workers co...
Alternative Visions- Why Ukraine Can’t Win the War + November Jobs Numbers
December 14, 2023 12:36 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBJust released US jobs numbers for November are reviewed in first half of the show. Not much change from October, with services sector jobs still growing and goods sector jobs slightly declining. Both reflect the US economy growth/no growth condition with manufacturing & construction continuing to contract while services continue to expand. Inflation statistics reflect the same, with goods prices falling (especially gasoline & energy) while key services prices continue to rise around 5%. US e...
Alternative Visions- Ukraine War & Zelensky’s ‘Danny Trejo Grift’
December 05, 2023 12:47 - 58 minutes - 53.1 MBToday’s shows raises the expose of Zelensky government corruption that US mainstream media has been assiduously avoiding. Actor Danny Trejo just spilled the beans on another Zelensky grift. US celebrities who have been trekking to Kiev apparently get paid $150,000 for their photo op with Zelensky, providing they kick back $50K in cash to Zelensky himself (whose wife just bought a $70m property in Cyprus). Rasmus asks if Z get the original $150k per US celebrity visit from the $1B per month t...
Alternative Visions- Soft Landing in 2024..Or Deeper Recession?
November 24, 2023 18:10 - 58 minutes - 108 MBToday’s show discusses the growing media spin on the US economy that it’s headed for a ‘soft landing’—i.e. no recession as inflation continues to abate. Dr. Rasmus dissects the 3rd quarter US GDP numbers of 4.9% annual growth rate that is feeding the soft landing hype. The four major elements of GDP are reviewed, showing 3rd Quarter was an aberration driven by business over-expansion of inventories in expectation of a surge in consumer spending in 4th quarter that is now not appearing. What’...
Alternative Visions- Why the Fed is RAISING rates, NOT PAUSING! + War Updates
November 03, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBThe Fed this past week held off raising interest rates once again. Or did it? Dr. Rasmus explains why the Fed may have paused raising short term rates but it is simultaneously raising long term Fed interest rates (10,30 Treasury bonds). Rasmus explains how the Fed is flooding markets with excess Treasury sales in order to raise funds to cover the US $2T budget deficit, an act driving up long term US Treasury rates. Fed chair Powell faces growing contradictions in monetary policy: higher shor...
Alternative Visions- War and US GDP
October 30, 2023 12:00 - 59 minutes - 108 MBThe just released preliminary estimates for US third quarter 2023 GDP, showing how the estimated 4.9% annual rate of US growth is actually much lower than reported. Rasmus explains how GDP in 2013 was redefined, boosting its number by more than $500B a year. Also how US low balls the inflation adjustment to GDP to get a higher number. Prospects for GDP in coming 4th and 1st Quarter 2024 are forecast at less than 1% a quarter—as both consumer spending and business investment ‘core’ of GDP s...
Alternative Visions- Most Dangerous Time in Decades
October 16, 2023 19:32 - 58 minutes - 80 MBThe title for today’s show is a direct quote this past week from Chase Bank CEO, Jamie Dimon. It reflects the growing concern being expressed widely about the global and US economy and geopolitical conditions. In another quote the giant shadow bank, Blackrock, told its customers “get into cash”. After a brief update on the UAW strike, today’s show reviews the University of Michigan’s consumer survey, showing household sentiment in the USA is plummeting, perhaps signaling the consumer’s propp...
Alternative Visions- President Jimmy Carter’s True Legacy + Updates on UAW, Writers & Actors Strike
October 02, 2023 18:22 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBLatest developments as of 9-30 in the auto workers, writers & actors strikes. Former president Jimmy Carter turns 99 this weekend. No doubt US corporate media has prepared puff piece obituaries, hailing Carter as the most humane and moral president ever. The show today provides the facts and a different picture, however: What were Carter’s real legacies? How Carter paved the way for USA’s disastrous 20 yr middle east wars (2001-21), launched the 4 decades war on unions that inaugurated conc...
Alternative Visions- Ukraine: Political Fallout from Failing Offensive + UAW Strike + Fed Rates & Govt Shutdown
September 25, 2023 11:48 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBAs Ukraine’s Failed Offensive becomes increasingly obvious, political repercussions are being felt in the US, Ukraine and Europe. Half of UN delegates refuse to show up for Zelensky’s speech; 32 House Reps and 6 Republican Senators go on record they won’t support more Ukraine war aid; Zelensky feuds with Poland over grain shipments & Poland’s president says Poland won’t send more weapons to Ukraine; Zelensky gives interview to Economist magazine threatening Europe with angry Ukrainian refug...
Alternative Visions- UAW Strike + Latest Inflation Reports
September 18, 2023 12:54 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBmost of today’s show is dedicated to understanding the UAW strike that began at midnight last night. What are the union’s demands and the Big 3 auto corporations offers. Rasmus explains how the companies are flush with cash, with $250B profits, tax cuts, $80B paid out in shareholders buybacks and dividends, tens of billions $ direct subsidies by Biden to build their EV plants, and 40% raises for CEOs. What happened in 2019 UAW negotiations and why autoworkers’ real earnings have fallen by 1...
Alternative Visions- How Reliable is US Economic Data?
September 11, 2023 12:01 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBDr. Rasmus comments on a Wall St. Journal report of Sept. 8 admitting that revisions to US data and reports are showing bigger swings in corrections and occurring more often. The show addresses his oft-stated view that the Covid recession fundamentally impacted labor, product and financial markets in ways that US data and statistical reports have not caught up to yet, thus the more frequent and greater revisions to the data. Rasmus explains how JOLT stats (job openings to unemployment ratio)...
Alternative Visions - How Biden and Mainstream Media Spin the Jobs and Inflation Reports
September 06, 2023 17:26 - 56 minutes - 77.4 MBToday’s show main theme discusses how the Biden administration and mainstream media are spinning the latest jobs and inflation reports. The official ‘messaging’ by politicians and media alike is that both jobs and inflation are steadily-if slowly-improving. The messaging: the August jobs ‘cooled’ to 187,000; inflation moderated to 3% down from last year’s 9% peak, and wages are rising. Speaking around the country, Biden claims that jobs, inflation, and rising wages show ‘Bidenomics’ is work...
Alternative Visions- Jackson Hole: Why the Fed Must Keep Raising Interest Rates
August 28, 2023 13:38 - 56 minutes - 77.9 MBThe show begins with an analysis of the past week of the death of Wagner mercenary forces leader, Prigozhin. The show then moves to the main topic: the forces driving the Fed to continue to raise interest rates; for certain this September but possibly even after. At minimum, US rates will remain high for some time. Chronic high services inflation plus emerging new forces globally that keep pressure on chronic inflation and Fed need to raise rates. Rasmus adds that record Fed Treasury sales w...
Alternative Visions- Inflation Reduction Act One Year After + What’s Exploitation?
August 21, 2023 11:37 - 57 minutes - 53 MBDr. Rasmus debunks Biden’s and other Dem party notables’ ( HRC, Reich, Krugman)celebration of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on its one year anniversary. Why the IRA has had no impact on inflation but is best understood as part of the 2022 trifecta of Biden bills (including Chips Act & Infrastructure Act) that together provided $1.65T in direct subsidies and tax cuts to US corporations. Rasmus next explains the current structure of inflation, now rising again with services inflation (80% ...
Alternative Visions- Fitch Downgrades the US Government-Causes & Consequences?
August 07, 2023 12:02 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBDr. Rasmus discusses in depth the causes and consequences the Fitch Credit Rating Company’s decision this past week to downgrade the US government’s credit worthiness. What’s behind the decision? What are some of the consequences? Rasmus reviews the past 22 yrs of rising US deficits and debt and why deficits continue to rise more than $1 trillion a year, the national debt surpasses $34T now (going to $43T) and the economic implications of annual interest payments on the debt now exceeding $6...
Alternative Visions- Is US Labor’s ‘Great Detour’ About to End? + Biden’s Phony ‘Bidenomics’ Tour
July 24, 2023 17:45 - 58 minutes - 81 MBWith Teamsters-UPS contract negotiations deadline of end of July approaching, the Writers-Sag-Aftra unions’ strike continuing, and Auto workers about to begin bargaining to reverse past concessions, is union Labor about to rise again? Dr. Rasmus describes the various forces behind US labor’s ‘Great Detour’ that began in the late 1970s and continuing now for more than four decades: offshoring of jobs, free trade deals, deregulation of transport and communications, shift to services, substitut...
Alternative Visions- Unpacking the CPI and PPI Inflation Reports
July 17, 2023 17:30 - 58 minutes - 80.5 MBThe mainstream media is now spinning last week’s inflation reports to message that inflation is now under control, therefore the Fed won’t need to raise rates further, and that in turn means a ‘soft landing’ with no recession. Dr. Rasmus dissects both the consumer price index and producer price index reports issued last week. Reports show that ‘goods’ (manufactured things and construction) prices have abated in price, but Services prices (80% of US economy) remain stuck in the 5-6% annual ra...
Alternative Visions- Bidenomics as Neoliberal Policy in Crisis
July 10, 2023 11:26 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBThis past week the Biden administration launched a new PR offensive, touting its package of economic policies as a reversal of ‘trickle down’ economics the past 40 years. Bidenomics is supposed to be a break from the past 4 decades of Neoliberal economic policies. In today’s show Dr. Rasmus debunks the current ‘Bidenomics’ PR offensive, describing how it is a continuation of classical Neoliberal policy (fiscal, monetary, industrial and external) since Reagan. Rasmus defines the essential fea...
Alternative Visions- Prighozin’s Rebellion, Student Loans & Biden’s Neoliberal Policy Regime
July 05, 2023 11:50 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBDr. Rasmus examines some facts about Russia’s mercenary Wagner group and its leader, Prighozin, recent mutiny. What are some interesting facts behind the origin of the rebellion not reported by the US mainstream media? The show next addresses in depth the US Supreme Court’s decision to scuttle Biden’s proposed $10-$20K student debt forgiveness proposal. Why 43.5m student debtors can’t get any relief, while 25m small businesses had their $900B in loans under the Covid PPP program expunged by...
Alternative Visions- Fed’s Rate Pause and the Growing Contradictions of US Monetary Policy
June 19, 2023 11:38 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBWhat’s behind the Fed’s decision to temporarily halt rate hikes this past week? Then raise rates later again this year? Dr. Rasmus explains the Fed is more concerned in the short run with exacerbating the continuing regional banking crisis than intensifying efforts to slow inflation by raising rates. Fed policy faces a contradiction: raise rates and worsen banking system instability (which the Fed has been offsetting with weekly injections of $95B to stabilize since March), or, not raise int...
Alternative Visions China Inflation and Ukraine Offensive
June 12, 2023 17:07 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBWhy is inflation in China virtually zero while it remains chronically high in the US and Europe around 5% and more? Dr. Rasmus describes the forces continuing to keep prices high in the ‘west’ and why China’s economy has little of the same. Supply side issues, corporate price gouging, net exports import prices, currency values, and productivity/unit labor costs—all driving inflation in US—are conspicuously absent in China. The second half of the show addresses the emerging Ukrainian military...
Alternative Visions- Final Debt Ceiling Deal, May Jobs Report & Fed’s Next Moves
June 05, 2023 11:50 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBThe May jobs report: why one govt survey shows 339K new jobs and another shows -440k more unemployment. The final version of the Debt Ceiling deal is then reviewed, including last minute Senate additions requiring retroactive student debt interest payments. The Deal as classic Neoliberal capitalist fiscal policy: Pentagon gets $886B (+more in ’24). Discretionary social spending gets cut $2.1T (18%). No tax hikes to pay for projected further $4T deficits & debt (at $35T or more in 2025) Other...
Alternative Visions- The Biden-McCarthy Debt Ceiling Deal
May 30, 2023 16:14 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBDr. Rasmus describes the likely terms of an imminent debt ceiling deal about to be announced this weekend. Reportedly ‘caps’ will be imposed on non-defense social program spending in a two year agreement, while Pentagon spending will rise 11% in the 2024 fiscal budget and an undisclosed further rise in 2025. Some of the possible details are considered: left over Covid funds, student debt cancellation, IRS hiring, work requirements to receive food stamps and Medicaid, fossil fuels licensing a...
Alternative Visions - Dissecting the July 2022 US Jobs Report
August 08, 2022 12:24 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBDr. Rasmus discusses today’s Jobs report in detail, dedicating the entire show to an analysis of the report. Is the 528,000 reported ‘new’ jobs and only 3.5% unemployment rate accurate? Rasmus explains the various statistical operations on the actual raw jobs data that results by the Labor Dept. surveys in order to arrive at these numbers. How seasonality, new business formation, and other statistical manipulation on the ‘raw actual jobs data’ results in artificially robust monthly numbers a...
Alternative visions -US 2nd Quarter GDP: Is Recession Here? (What’s a Recession?)
August 01, 2022 17:17 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBDr. Rasmus discusses the US economy’s current critical juncture: Is recession already here after this past week’s 2nd Quarter US GDP report showing two consecutive quarters now of US GDP contraction? Why is there a debate going on that it’s not yet a recession (Biden, Yellen, Powell) despite two quarters of contraction? The two definitions of recession are described. Why those who say it’s not yet a recession are wrong. It is. Dr. Rasmus next discusses the Fed’s decision last Wednesday to r...
Alternative Visions_072222_ US Recession: Latest Indicators Show ‘Technical’ Recession Already Here
July 26, 2022 14:47 - 59 minutes - 82.1 MBDr. Rasmus reviews the latest data and economic indicators this past week which show a ‘technical’ recession is likely already here. ‘Technical’ refers to two consecutive quarter declines in US GDP. First quarter 2022 already declined at -1.6%. 2nd Quarter predictions by Fed show another -1.5% fall. Rasmus reviews other indicators: recent retail sales adjusted for inflation, consumer sentiment, business activity contraction in the important benchmark region of the mid-Atlantic states, and t...
Alternative visions
July 19, 2022 16:32 - 1 hour - 139 MBHere’s the announcement for today’s Alternative Visions show: Title: US Dollar & Empire in Rising Global Inflation & Recession Copy: Dr. Rasmus takes up the theme of US global economic empire is in decline and examines that in relation to the role of the US dollar and other US dominated economic institutions like the IMF, SWIFT international payments system, and other institutions of empire. Both short run and long run trends for the dollar and empire are discussed, and likely moves tow...
Alternative Visions - Biden’s Phony Inflation Initiatives + June Jobs Report
July 08, 2022 19:44 - 58 minutes - 133 MBIn the first half hour today’s show dissects the latest US jobs report for June. Why even govt stats reveal unemployment rates are nearly twice the official, low ball 3.8%. Dr. Rasmus other govt stats as a clearer picture of the job market in the US, explains why the past year jobs numbers are not ‘new jobs created’ but restoration of jobs lost during Covid, and why jobs are a ‘lagging indicator ‘ of the economy and will follow the economic slowdown in 6-9 months hence, as hiring freezes and...
Alternative Visions - G7 Declares War & Global Economy Slides Into Recession
July 01, 2022 19:27 - 58 minutes - 134 MBToday’s show reviews G7 meeting and its decisions on new sanctions and de facto declaration of future war on Russia. US/NATO military buildup, provocations, and war costs for US. Larry Summers’ admits recession in US nearer than 2023, confirming Dr. Rasmus’s predictions of 2022 recession for past seven months. Review of sectors of weakening US real economy, as stock and bond markets plunge 1st half 2022. Show concludes with analysis of Biden’s failing inflation control initiatives to date an...
Alternative Visions - Russian Sanctions: Are They Working & Why Not
June 13, 2022 11:50 - 58 minutes - 133 MBDr. Rasmus reviews the content and consequences of US/NATO imposed sanctions on Russia since the Ukraine war was launched in February. A brief history of US use of sanctions is followed by description of sanctions since February. The categories of sanctions: goods, financial, individuals. Why oil and gas sanctions have failed. The cost of sanctions to US/ Europe, and Russia. Countries involved. Relation between sanctions and accelerating inflation globally. Impacts on US economy, Europe’s, a...
Alternative Visions - Anatomy of Inflation (Part 2), Jobs Report, and Economic War with Russia
June 06, 2022 14:45 - 1 hour - 86.8 MBDr. Rasmus picks up where last week’s show, continuing the discussion of the Anatomy of Inflation in the US and why inflation will continue chronically for months more. Why falling productivity, rising unit labor costs, inflationary expectations, further intensification of sanctions and war in Ukraine will all add to inflationary pressures. Biden’s various failed initiatives to dampen inflation, and rejected alternatives that could address inflation, are discussed. The show next considers t...
Alternative Visions - The Anatomy of Inflation
May 20, 2022 19:28 - 56 minutes - 130 MBDr. Rasmus dissects the various causes of inflation in the US over the past year, explaining it is mostly Supply side driven and not consumer Demand. Following last spring 2021 reopening of the US economy, some price increases followed due to more wage in come as workers went back to work. That was a moderately rise, however. The big escalation of inflation began last September due to global and US domestic Supply chain problems which was followed by price gouging by monopolistic US corporat...
Alternative Visions - Fed Decides Recession: How Deep? How Soon?
May 09, 2022 13:07 - 57 minutes - 133 MBThe Federal Reserve’s decision this past to raise interest rates immediately by half percent—to be followed by further half percent hikes in June & July and still more increases the rest of the year—means Capitalist economic policy is now to precipitate a recession in order to deal with rising inflation. The question now is not whether, but when, recession comes in the US. Will it be before the end of this year, or early next. And how deep will it go? Dr. Rasmus describes the current Anatomy...
Alternative Visions - US Recession Is Here: US GDP Contracts January-March
May 03, 2022 16:37 - 58 minutes - 80.8 MBDr. Rasmus discusses the recent announcement of US GDP for first quarter 2022 which shows a contraction of the US real economy already underway. The Federal Reserve’s plan to accelerate interest rate hikes starting this month and every Fed meeting this year thereafter, ensures the recession drift will continue and likely accelerate as well. The four components of US GDP—consumer spending, business investment, government spending and net exports (imports-exports) are reviewed as forces behin...
Alternative Visions - Russian Sanctions Update & Analysis of Global Fallout
April 02, 2022 12:35 - 56 minutes - 129 MBDr. Rasmus provides an update of US sanctions on Russian gas, commodities, finance and products and assesses their impact. What are some of Russia responses? Will the continuation of sanctions lead to an undermining of US global economic hegemony? Is that imminent or not? Show concludes with Dr. Rasmus observations of the war on the ground and some alternative analyses to US media propaganda. (Check out his latest article on his blog, http://jackrasmus.com ‘US Imperialism’s Proxy War agains...
Alternative Visions - Fed Rate Hikes + Sanctions = STAGFLATION
March 28, 2022 15:11 - 56 minutes - 78 MBDr. Rasmus discusses the past week historic Fed rate hike announcement and what it portends for both US and global economy, real growth and financial instability. What’s driving the rate hikes, both supply and demand, short and long term. What’s likely impact on the US real economy (housing, autos, small business, etc.). Implications for global currencies’ instability and global economies. Rasmus next discusses she latest of US sanctions on Russia. Are they working? Where and where not? Wh...
Alternative Visions - Financial Imperialism: The Case of Russia
March 16, 2022 17:02 - 57 minutes - 79 MBDr. Rasmus reviews the many recent financial sanctions and actions taken against Russia and discusses the impacts of each on Russia, as well as on the US and the global economy. The possible ‘blowbacks’ of sanctions to the global financial system are discussed. Various narratives explaining the origins and course of the war are also reviewed and Dr. Rasmus offers an alternative to the mainstream views, arguing all three parties to the conflict are responsible in part and each presents their ...