Peter's Blog

Just How Bad Was Trump’s Greatest Test?

As Donald Trump was inaugurated as 47th president of the United States on January 20th, 2025, the circumstances of his last year in office loom large. The Covid-19 pandemic obfuscated the final verdict on the effectiveness of his economic policy. Due to the unprecedented nature of the protective measures taken, it was difficult to determine […]

When Local Elections Count Most

While local elections are often relegated to a sideshow when it comes to importance in the national economy, the recent fires in L.A. have destroyed this paradigm. The incompetence of the leadership of L.A.s mayor shows how local elections can have devastating local and national impacts.

Rising Inflation Expectations Spark Concerns Over Tariffs and Consumer Confidence

U.S. consumers are bracing for higher prices over the next 12 months, according to the University of Michigan’s latest survey. One-year inflation expectations jumped to 3.3% in January, up significantly from 2.8% in December. This is the steepest increase since May and pushes the short-term outlook above the 2.3%-3.0% range seen in the two years […]

If We Have a Strong Economy, Why Are Americans Struggling?

The 10-year treasury yield rocketed up to near 5%, and analysts say it’s because the economy is strong despite higher inflation. But if the economy is so strong, why are Americans so indebted, cash-poor, and desperate?

Why Did COMEX and DXY Start Trading Together?

Gold suddenly appears momentarily correlated with the US Dollar Index (DXY). How can gold, a store of value and inflation hedge against dollar inflation, be following the price movements of the same inflationary currency it’s supposed to be protecting you from?

American Ports Need a Private-Sector Life Raft

The world has watched for decades as U.S. ports have lagged behind their international counterparts. As they have become increasingly plagued by congestion, delays, and rising costs, it becomes increasingly clear that the publicly-owned port authorities are failing to meet the demands of modern global trade. The solution lies in privatization, a much-needed approach that […]

The Fed is Cutting. Why Are Mortgage Rates Going Up?

Powell is admitting that inflation is still too high, but the Fed still plans to cut interest rates by .25%. So why are mortgage rates going up?

The Red Sea Crisis Remedy: A Private Sector Approach to Maritime Security

The ongoing crisis in the Red Sea has thrust maritime security into the global spotlight, exposing vulnerabilities in our international shipping lanes and threatening the stability of global trade. Since November 2023, Houthi forces in Yemen have conducted over 100 attacks against commercial ships and warships, creating an unprecedented challenge for the maritime industry. This […]

Will Trump Tariffs Kill Commercial Real Estate?

Will the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on Chinese, Mexican, and Canadian imports could send shockwaves through the already vulnerable U.S. commercial real estate market? With a 10% tariff on goods from China and 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, the additional cost will be passed along to the US builder and consumer — […]

What does MV = PQ Mean for America?

As prices rise and economic uncertainty becomes a daily reality, many Americans are left grappling with the question: how did we get here? With inflation eating away at purchasing power, the need for a sound monetary policy has never been more pressing. In these turbulent times, the insights of Nobel laureate Milton Friedman shine brightly. […]