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Stephen Gordon's avatar

Wow. That was a FANTASTIC interview with Barry Eichengreen; take a bow, Jen. Being able to keep up with one of the most respected experts in the field in real time is an impressive feat.

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AJB's avatar

If a recession and mass unemployment happens effective governance builds infrastructure. Planning for the future and giving hope and the dignity of work. In 1930s USA their government built the many National Parks the Hoover Dam and the Interstate Highway system as examples. In Alberta in the early 1980s when the Trudeau Liberal government’s NEP ground the booming economy to a standstill the province invested in many infrastructure projects. The Saddledome was built and a modern sewage treatment plant in Calgary. I worked as a plumber on the New Sundre High School as well as a Long Term Care addition to the Trochu hospital. It was much appreciated work after being unemployed for 8 months when high rise building construction stopped at whatever floor they were at. Plumber’s hourly pay went from $20.70 an hour to $14.00. at a non union shop. I was on the hiring board at the union hall for 3 years and only got a total of 17 days work on industrial shutdown projects. I left Alberta and plumbing in April of 1985. I will always appreciate the opportunity I was given in Alberta and wish them well. As an Ontarian I experienced the wrath of Ottawa believing their influence was being usurped. Perhaps tariffs are Trump’s wrath being applied to the world because the USA’s influence is waning.

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