Quote from: sgbett on January 06, 2015, 07:26:37 PM

Quote from: twiifm on January 06, 2015, 03:30:27 PM

Poor logic buddy. Debt isn't an asset. Or perhaps you are claiming that we're close to the point where that debt will start deflating rapidly Grin

Oh boy. Where do I start!?

1. Depends which side you are on.
2. What is "global deleveraging" if not the rapid deflation of debt.

Specifically:

Fisher's formulation
In Fisher's formulation of debt deflation, when the debt bubble bursts the following sequence of events occurs:

Assuming, accordingly, that, at some point in time, a state of over-indebtedness exists, this will tend to lead to liquidation, through the alarm either of debtors or creditors or both. Then we may deduce the following chain of consequences in nine links:

Debt liquidation leads to distress selling and to
Contraction of deposit currency, as bank loans are paid off, and to a slowing down of velocity of circulation. This contraction of deposits and of their velocity, precipitated by distress selling, causes
A fall in the level of prices, in other words, a swelling of the dollar. Assuming, as above stated, that this fall of prices is not interfered with by reflation or otherwise, there must be
A still greater fall in the net worths of business, precipitating bankruptcies and
A like fall in profits, which in a "capitalistic," that is, a private-profit society, leads the concerns which are running at a loss to make
A reduction in output, in trade and in employment of labor. These losses, bankruptcies and unemployment, lead to
pessimism and loss of confidence, which in turn lead to
Hoarding and slowing down still more the velocity of circulation.
The above eight changes cause
Complicated disturbances in the rates of interest, in particular, a fall in the nominal, or money, rates and a rise in the real, or commodity, rates of interest.
(Fisher 1933)

Ah, man you couldn't have said it better. Increased taxation can only cover indebtedness so long. If you poke the bear (the public) too much, they are going to get angry. Debt is a great asset for the financial industry in generating massive profits on the backs of "investers". Debt is awful for the public at large. The Fed can churn out as much cash as it desires, but ultimately the people have to pay for it. I just recently read that GB is finally paying off its WWI debt... my ass, they are just refinancing it. Your point exactly sir. Kudos.