The Consequences of Borrowing Stability from the Future to Forestall Volatility Today!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVYiE4PASwU]

• Welcome to Capital Account. Bond speculators doubled their long exposure to US ten-year Treasuries last week, according to CFTC data reported by Reuters. Bloggers at ZeroHedge noted that this was “the highest position since March 2008.” We talk to hedge fund portfolio advisor Grant Williams about what might be driving this speculative move. Plus, since Mr. Williams is based in Singapore, we decided to ask him what the US elections, ZIRP, and the fiscal cliff look like from Asia.
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  The next President of the United States will inherit trillions of dollars of US debt and unfunded liabilities. The country’s public and private debt burden functions as a drag on economic growth when the money exchanged for those liabilities is used for consumption or foolishly wasted on doomed investments and Ponzi schemes. With this burden of the past on our shoulders, we find it even more difficult to press on into the uncertain future. We talk to Grant Williams, Portfolio and Strategy Advisor for Vulpes Investment Management, about the impact of the US’s debts, and the massive deficits that its government has been running the past four years.
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  And it has been a week since Hurricane Sandy hit the US, and 1.9 million homes and businesses are still without power as of last night. There have also been reports of people arming themselves with bows and arrows to protect against looting in response to the widespread urban devastation. So what is the solution? Grant Williams talks to us about rural renewal and the prospects for farm land.
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  Lastly, even though the elections are still a day away, the mainstream media is throwing so much election data out there, it will make your head spin. But despite trying to have the most up-to-speed data, the media is also trying their best to avoid the mistakes that lead to the convoluted decision from the 2000 election. Their efforts to avoid those same mistakes include: improving statistical models and data software, consulting with political scientists, and erring on the side of safety when deciding to make a call. Lauren and Demetri explain how this is just more collateral damage from negative real interest rates in today’s “Loose Change.”

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