America’s Alice-in-Wonderland Economy

Debt is good, dollar is gold, and stocks only go up—things are getting curiouser and curiouser.

The phrase “mad as a hatter” refers to the 19th-century use of mercuric-nitrate in the making of felt hats. Long-term exposure to mercury caused hatmakers to experience mood swings, tremors and emotional imbalances that made them appear mad.

We live in a world gone mad. Money printing—today’s mercury—has poisoned the whole financial system.

Trusted relationships have broken down. Fundamental truths appear suspect, and economic laws no longer seem to hold true. In America especially, it’s as if the whole economic system fell down a rabbit hole into a world where up is down, debt is good, and people exuberantly celebrate unbirthday parties every day of the year but one.