The history of human progress and civilization is essentially a never ending attempt to assiduously remove as much luck as possible from human affairs.

Major industries -- finance, health, education and defense -- have been taken over by zombies, parasites whose real interest is to transfer wealth to themselves, from the part of the economy that remains productive.

ETF traders may want to watch the ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS).

The markets continue trying to discover what things are worth. With so many things in motion, so much fog and so much doubt, they're having a hard time.

The financial bailout zombified much of the economy. Businesses that should have closed their doors were able to keep the lights on.

Few people really like capitalism -- even people who call themselves capitalists.

For the last 40 years, the earnings of the typical working stiff have barely improved. How to react to this challenge?

Will another very disturbing unintended consequence come back to haunt us?

What set off yesterday's big blitz to the upside? Two things.

Why so few new jobs now? Because more and more money -- capital allocation decisions -- are in the hands of the feds.