Rick Freedman
@rickgeek.bsky.social
I write on two topics; technology trends and world politics. Author, ‘The IT Consultant’, ‘The Agile Consultant’. Substack ‘World on Fire’: https://tinyurl.com/yc6kzrw7. Dogs rule my world.
What a shame that our fellow Democrats are so pathetic at messaging. There’s a compelling story to tell here, about the stealth attack on ObamaCare. So sad that Dems are absolutely useless at telling it. I’m a regular small $ donor but will give $0 until Dems develop a coherent narrative.
October 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
What a shame that our fellow Democrats are so pathetic at messaging. There’s a compelling story to tell here, about the stealth attack on ObamaCare. So sad that Dems are absolutely useless at telling it. I’m a regular small $ donor but will give $0 until Dems develop a coherent narrative.
in other words, if you disagree with me the only possible cause is your own ignorance.
August 22, 2025 at 5:02 AM
in other words, if you disagree with me the only possible cause is your own ignorance.
he’s right, obviously.
May 14, 2025 at 2:44 AM
he’s right, obviously.
yes. Before Trump’s crash BTC was touted as an alternative to gold as a store of value, as if it could just keep rising or at least not lose money. Whoopsie.
April 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
yes. Before Trump’s crash BTC was touted as an alternative to gold as a store of value, as if it could just keep rising or at least not lose money. Whoopsie.
4) So bonds are simply a borrowing instrument whose interest rate fluctuates based on supply and demand. If the demand for bonds goes down at the same time as stocks it alarms investors because it’s not the expected dynamic as explained above. $ also dropping really freaks currency markets out.
April 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
4) So bonds are simply a borrowing instrument whose interest rate fluctuates based on supply and demand. If the demand for bonds goes down at the same time as stocks it alarms investors because it’s not the expected dynamic as explained above. $ also dropping really freaks currency markets out.
3) What freaked Trump and market analysts out was that rates began to rise rather than fall as expected. This indicates that buyers are drying up, requiring higher rates to continue buying, which means eroding trust in US ‘full faith & credit’, which underlies the dollar as reserve currency.
April 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
3) What freaked Trump and market analysts out was that rates began to rise rather than fall as expected. This indicates that buyers are drying up, requiring higher rates to continue buying, which means eroding trust in US ‘full faith & credit’, which underlies the dollar as reserve currency.
2) When investors and countries get nervous about markets they sell stocks and buy bonds, known as ‘flight to safety’. More buyers mean prices rise, as with any limited commodity (eggs, for example). More buyers means the rate required to attract them can go lower; interest rates fall as prices rise
April 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
2) When investors and countries get nervous about markets they sell stocks and buy bonds, known as ‘flight to safety’. More buyers mean prices rise, as with any limited commodity (eggs, for example). More buyers means the rate required to attract them can go lower; interest rates fall as prices rise
1) bonds are simply a formal way for countries, municipalities and companies to borrow money. USTreasury bonds are the global world standard (so far)due to their safety. investors and countries buy them for safety and to collect a fixed interest rate…
April 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
1) bonds are simply a formal way for countries, municipalities and companies to borrow money. USTreasury bonds are the global world standard (so far)due to their safety. investors and countries buy them for safety and to collect a fixed interest rate…
Not about tariffs anymore, shown by today’s market drop. Bond market is reacting now, as rates do what they shouldn’t; climb during risk-off. BTC, supposed safe haven, is falling in concert. Both ‘bond vigilantes’ and foreign USTreasury buyers, the ultimate decision makers, will desert US assets.
April 11, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Not about tariffs anymore, shown by today’s market drop. Bond market is reacting now, as rates do what they shouldn’t; climb during risk-off. BTC, supposed safe haven, is falling in concert. Both ‘bond vigilantes’ and foreign USTreasury buyers, the ultimate decision makers, will desert US assets.
Forget about Trump’s credibility; what about the credibility of our markets? After this enormous wealth transfer by fiat, who would argue or believe that our markets, the most traded in the world, are fair and orderly? The relief rally doesn’t convince me, and the ultimate repercussions w/b fatal.
April 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Forget about Trump’s credibility; what about the credibility of our markets? After this enormous wealth transfer by fiat, who would argue or believe that our markets, the most traded in the world, are fair and orderly? The relief rally doesn’t convince me, and the ultimate repercussions w/b fatal.
Who cares what this dogmatic sycophant says? He’s shown himself repeatedly to be a doctrinaire reactionary and a reason-free toady. Self-identification as a ‘patriot’ is a prime indicator of the opposite. Capitulation or manipulation? I’ll take B for the loss of $6T, Alex.
April 9, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Who cares what this dogmatic sycophant says? He’s shown himself repeatedly to be a doctrinaire reactionary and a reason-free toady. Self-identification as a ‘patriot’ is a prime indicator of the opposite. Capitulation or manipulation? I’ll take B for the loss of $6T, Alex.
Forget about Trump’s credibility; what about the credibility of our markets? After this enormous wealth transfer by fiat, who would argue or believe that our markets, the most traded in the world, are fair and orderly? The relief rally doesn’t convince me, and the ultimate repercussions w/b fatal.
April 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Forget about Trump’s credibility; what about the credibility of our markets? After this enormous wealth transfer by fiat, who would argue or believe that our markets, the most traded in the world, are fair and orderly? The relief rally doesn’t convince me, and the ultimate repercussions w/b fatal.
The largest expropriation of wealth in market history. Lost money this week? it has now been transferred into the accounts of Trump’s billionaire pals. They didn’t need to be tipped off for this to be manipulation; they and their lackeys watch the markets constantly, as workers and retirees can’t.
April 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The largest expropriation of wealth in market history. Lost money this week? it has now been transferred into the accounts of Trump’s billionaire pals. They didn’t need to be tipped off for this to be manipulation; they and their lackeys watch the markets constantly, as workers and retirees can’t.
I’m always amazed when otherwise smart people ask “why is he doing this?” He tells us explicitly right here…they’re all coming to HIM begging for a deal! At the expense of our economy and your 401k, he’s succeeded…in putting himself at the center. That’s what it’s always about with a narcissist.
April 7, 2025 at 6:12 AM
I’m always amazed when otherwise smart people ask “why is he doing this?” He tells us explicitly right here…they’re all coming to HIM begging for a deal! At the expense of our economy and your 401k, he’s succeeded…in putting himself at the center. That’s what it’s always about with a narcissist.
I’m always amazed when otherwise smart people ask “why is he doing this?” He tells us explicitly right here…they’re all coming to HIM begging for a deal! At the expense of our economy and your 401k, he’s succeeded…in putting himself at the center. That’s what it’s always about with a narcissist.
April 7, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I’m always amazed when otherwise smart people ask “why is he doing this?” He tells us explicitly right here…they’re all coming to HIM begging for a deal! At the expense of our economy and your 401k, he’s succeeded…in putting himself at the center. That’s what it’s always about with a narcissist.
An absolute tell. Since their MAGATS are all, and only, about ‘sticking it’ to the reality-based community, they put that frame on everything. Glad to destroy our nation to stick it to their adversaries.
March 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
An absolute tell. Since their MAGATS are all, and only, about ‘sticking it’ to the reality-based community, they put that frame on everything. Glad to destroy our nation to stick it to their adversaries.
Many Jews voted for Trump as single-issue voters w the belief that he’d support Bibi and Israel no matter what. Never did they think that he’d adopt the old ‘cosmopolites’ language of the Soviets. Wake up time! He’s from an old-line German family and will pounce on Jews the minute it suits.
March 7, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Many Jews voted for Trump as single-issue voters w the belief that he’d support Bibi and Israel no matter what. Never did they think that he’d adopt the old ‘cosmopolites’ language of the Soviets. Wake up time! He’s from an old-line German family and will pounce on Jews the minute it suits.
So disappointing that Dems can’t distinguish between effective resistance and spitting in the wind.Green’s behavior does nothing but validate Trump’s insults. Without a coherent argument every Dem Senator can jump up and down all day w zero effect. If this is Dem strategy we’re doomed.
March 7, 2025 at 12:24 AM
So disappointing that Dems can’t distinguish between effective resistance and spitting in the wind.Green’s behavior does nothing but validate Trump’s insults. Without a coherent argument every Dem Senator can jump up and down all day w zero effect. If this is Dem strategy we’re doomed.
2/ The strategy of Dems at this session is weak. No voter will be persuaded by their decision to sit throughout the session, and they’ve foolishly validated Trump’s characterizations by their behavior. If waving little signs is Dem’s resistance strategy, we’re more doomed than i imagined.
March 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
2/ The strategy of Dems at this session is weak. No voter will be persuaded by their decision to sit throughout the session, and they’ve foolishly validated Trump’s characterizations by their behavior. If waving little signs is Dem’s resistance strategy, we’re more doomed than i imagined.