Tag: cares act

Federal Government

The SBA’s Dramatic Failure

economiccommander1 Comment

For all the desperate hand-wringing about the need for Congress the pass SOMETHING, the outcomes are usually pretty poor. Several weeks ago our federal legislatures enacted the CARES Act, a $2 trillion juggernaut meant to prop up the flailing economy. In its assorted blubber they inserted the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, designed to provide up to $2 million in working capital for small businesses.

Thus far, it’s not working too well. Instead of that magic number, firms are being promised closer to 25-35k, with strains making the current disbursement around 15k, at least for the time being.

It’s truly remarkable. The government capable of mass printing and borrowing to fund gigantic programs and nation-building wars is bumbling where the fate of its own business owners are concerned. The Small Business “Administration” has been swamped by requests in a heartbeat, despite having over 3,000 employees and a budget of $710 million.

Is the solution an increase in their budget, which Trump has already attempted as recently as February? Perhaps an even larger stimulus is needed, because money appears to be the magic solution for every problem Congress faces.

Or, we could structure programs in a manner that makes sense, and not demand an archaic application process which many cash-based companies will inevitably struggle to complete.

Just a suggestion.

Culturalism · investing · Personal Finance

The Federal PRESERVE of Wall Street

economiccommander3 Comments

Some people ask me how I’m able to stay sane as an investor during times like these. The answer is quite simple: just pay attention to the federal government.

As most already know, the Congress approved a $2 trillion monstrosity by voice vote yesterday, with the only visible opposition coming in the form of representatives AOC and Thomas Massie. Beyond its inclusion of various stimulus programs, the legislation creates a fat bailout fund for larger companies, and allows the Federal Reserve to leverage up to $4 trillion in support of the economy (Read: Wall Street ).

In the words of Powell the Owl:

“Effectively one dollar of loss absorption of backstop from Treasury is enough to support $10 worth of loans. When it comes to this lending we’re not going to run out of ammunition.”

Some Democrats openly demanded oversight for $500 billion in assistance that corporations will have partial access to through the bill, and succeeded in establishing an inspector general to monitor disbursement of the money. In response, Republicans began to weep miserably.

Just kidding. In reality, El Orangelo was several steps ahead of them, placing his ink on the bill accompanied by a fancy signing statement, which effectively allows him to ignore parts he doesn’t like. According to the man himself:

“I do not understand, and my Administration will not treat, this provision as permitting the [inspector general] to issue reports to the Congress without the presidential supervision required.”

In relation to congressional oversight requirements for specific funds he added:

“These provisions are impermissible forms of congressional aggrandizement with respect to the execution of the laws.”

In other words, the money is already compromised. If that wasn’t enough, the legislation also shrouds Federal Reserve meetings in deeper secrecy, establishing an effective wall against FOIA requests.

So Wall Street will be fine, although your currency is another question. But don’t worry, you can forget all that and just rage against Thomas Massie.