Quote from Now is Now:
Achilles,
I think I understand what you are trying to say, but the fundamental problem is the "unknown" solvency level.
Liquidity...not a problem ..the Fed will print money till the cows come home; and in a sense, they might have to.
Unfortunately, those that can lend are not going to do so,because they simply do not know what their risk exposure will be as they know they cannot even determine the value of the shit they already have on their books!!...and while they can get away with it, they don't want to know, besides there really is no market for their assets at present.
We have a lending paralysis and what is more troubling is the future refinancing of debt.
It doesn't have to be deflation ,recession,or depression ,but to simply state there are no simple answers other than the fact it is going to take a long time to unravel and get the economy back on an even keel.
You just made the case for a natural collapse.
Credit markets are frozen because most banks hold the old maid.
Consumer/Business markets are frozen because there's too much uncertainty surrounding a possible financial collapse, and the broader effect it'll have on the economy.
The answer is to let all the crap banks fail, massive layoffs, dispose all the worthless assets, undergo a severe recession, than start anew in 18-24 months.
Banks will lend commercially and amongst themselves once the losers go bankrupt and uncertainty resolves itself. Only the strong are left standing, and life goes on.
Right now, uncertainty dominates and will continue to do so because the weak and insolvent only survive by the good graces of Bernacke and Paulson.
This "recovery" is forging its roots in bankrupt companies, worthless debt, over-valued assets and opaque accounting.
The only recovery we're gonna see is an inflationary one and that will lead to even bigger problems.
The FED has fucked everything up since the Great Depression. Now, all of a sudden, they're not gonna overshoot CPI when M0 has gone parabolic and Bank reserves held at the FED are nearing Trillions?
Its more wishful thinking. And the nation abounds with it.
Every TV-Head you talk to you regurgitates the same mantra. Inflation
might be a danger down the road, but the FED will deal with it!!!
Yea, they sure will. With 20% interest rates.
Guess where "Deflation" is gonna be then?
Real high. Real, real, real high.