The Chris Hedges Report, 12/17/25
Source: The Chris Hedges Report
“Taking Power Amidst the Turbulence (w/ Dylan Saba).” (12/17/25)
https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/taking-power-amidst-the-turbulence
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
NPR Politics Podcast, 12/17/25
Source: National Public Radio [US state media]
“Americans give Trump low marks on the economy in new poll.” (12/17/25)
The Next Economic Downturn Will Be Here Soon Enough
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Vincent Cook
“The fundamental problem with fractional reserve bank credit is that it funds greater investment spending without the corresponding thrift. Bank credit expansions drive down interest rates artificially, causing too many labor and natural resources inputs to be diverted towards the more interest-sensitive parts of the economy with too few invested in the less interest-sensitive sectors—these inputs are malinvested in unsustainable boom sectors. Such booms can’t be sustained because demand for inputs in the short-term, lower-risk sectors isn’t slackened sufficiently by thrift to match the higher bank credit-fueled demand for inputs from the boom sectors. Input prices increase relative to output prices, eventually squeezing business operating margins to the point where losses begin to appear, particularly in the boom sectors.” (12/17/25)
https://mises.org/mises-wire/next-economic-downturn-will-be-here-soon-enough
A Missing Textbook Diagram
Source: Bet On It
by Bryan Caplan
“While I was touring San Francisco, the following diagram popped into my head. Obvious once you think about it, and ChatGPT says there are plenty of precursors, especially in business classes. But I don’t recall seeing anything like this in any intro, intermediate micro, or public policy textbook. And I think it would make a good addition.” (12/17/25)
Lula threatens to walk away if further delays to EU-Mercosur trade deal
Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]
“Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has warned he may abandon a long-awaited trade deal between members of the South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union after key countries sought a delay. The Brazilian leader issued the threat on Wednesday after Italy joined fellow heavyweight France in saying it was not ready to commit to the pact to create the world’s biggest free-trade area. The EU had expected its 27 member states to approve the deal in time for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to fly to Brazil to sign an agreement with the host, along with Mercosur partners Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, on Saturday. ‘I’ve already warned them: If we don’t do it now, Brazil won’t make any more agreements while I’m president,’ Lula told a cabinet meeting.” (12/17/25)
Quillette Podcast, episode 316
Source: Quillette
“The Genius of Jane Austen.” (12/17/25)
https://quillette.com/2025/12/17/podcast-316-the-genius-of-jane-austen/
Bulwark Takes, 12/17/25
Source: The Bulwark
“LIVE REACTION: Trump White House Address (w/ Tim Miller, Andrew Egger & Will Saletan).” (12/17/25)
Trump Supporters: Is He Really “Fit for Office?”
Source: RealClearPolitics
by Melinda Henneberger
“Remember when MAGA Republicans said that anyone so hateful as to blame Charlie Kirk for his own murder should be out of a job? Firefighters, teachers, and active-duty military personnel were fired as a result. If the principle behind that outrage still holds, does it also apply to Donald Trump, who immediately responded to the news that Rob and Michelle Reiner had been brutally murdered by blaming them? Many on the right did criticize him for posting that the Reiners were dead because of Trump Derangement Syndrome. But this is not a one-time departure from otherwise rational behavior.” (12/17/25)
Johnson ekes out healthcare bill victory after House GOP Obamacare rebellion
Source: Fox News
“House Republicans passed a bill they say will lower healthcare costs for a broad swath of Americans by roughly 11%. It’s a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has been managing deep divisions within the House GOP on the topic of healthcare as insurance premiums are set to spike across the country in a matter of weeks. One glaring issue that remains unresolved is Obamacare subsidies, which were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic but are set to expire at the end of this year. The legislation passed 216 to 211. Just one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voted against it along with all House Democrats. The bill’s passage comes hours after a group of moderate Republicans joined a Democrat-led discharge petition to force a vote on extending the subsidies for another three years.” (12/17/25)
Making Room for the Next Generation of Kentuckians
Source: Bluegrass Institute
“Kentucky is in the early stages of a housing affordability crisis—and we can either learn from California’s catastrophic failures or chart a better course.” (12/17/25)
https://www.bluegrassinstitute.org/video-making-room-for-the-next-generation-of-kentuckians/