Quote from Martinghoul:
What nerve and whose, pray tell?
You're a chronic conspiracy theorist, I am sad to say, so everything, including perfectly ordinary things, looks like a conspiracy to you. While I disagree with your theory, a lot of times I also get frustrated when people don't see things that, to me, are blindingly obvious. But so what? Firstly, I might be mistaken (as, IMHO, you are, with all due respect). Secondly, even if I am right, the last thing I am going to do is blame some sort of a government cabal for concealing the truth from the masses. So, honestly, discussing the flaws and merits of your argument is fine and dandy, but claiming it's some sort of govt-suppressed economic Gospel is just silly.
The word conspiracy has been trashed by the use of concepts such as the illuminati cabals, aliens, and what have you. To me, it is not some dark smoke filled back room dealing, but an institutional practice.
Nonetheless, where have I, in this post, used the word "conspiracy?" I have not, it is you , and the other fellow that have used that phrase to disparage my views without addressing them specifically.
As for the other fellow, his posts are the type I shouldn't bother responding to. As for you, I do have respect for your writings, despite our disagreements. But here, I am disappointed in your lack of specificity of where you disagree with me and your over reliance on charges of conspiracy.
And so, I have not used the word conspiracy, you have. But I do have the view that governments, by their nature, want to control the dialogue - whatever, the subject matter. And thus, to control the dialogue is to inherently misinform the public.
I can give you countless historical examples of the above. If you can't think of any on your own, then you lack an understanding of history, in particular, of governments and politics.
I feel that you shrug off things too easily, and you underestimate what policymakers really do.
And a little historical example, from the minutes of a past Fed meeting:
"We run the risk, by laying out the pros and cons of a particular argument, of inducing people to join in on the debate, and in this regard it is possible to lose control of a process that only we fully understand."
-Alan Greenspan in regards to the potential housing bubble, 2004
Now martinghoul - I know, you will say, but the public is ignorant!
My retort:
And just how knowledgeable were the policymakers (only we fully understand!)- Fed and politicians - and Wall Street Bankers before their financial system blew up?
Henry Ford once said:
"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand
our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
Or, if you prefer, a quote from an economist:
âThe study of money, above all other fields in economics, is one in which complexity is used to disguise truth or to evade truth, not to reveal it.â
-John Kenneth Galbraith
Or, if you prefer, what a central banker has said himself:
âThe last duty of a central banker is to tell the public the truth.â
-Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Alan Blinder, Nightly Business Report, 1994
Apparently, I am not alone in my skepticism. So who is being naive here?