Government as Racket: How Power, Policy, Access, and Paydays Converge

When people say “the system is rigged,” they may be closer to a macro truth than a slogan. Here’s the evidence-driven anatomy of how public authority routinely converts into private gain—and what it would take to unwind the racket.

War Is a Racket: Smedley Butler’s Timeless Warning About Profiteering and Power

In 1935, Major General Smedley D. Butler—one of the most decorated Marines in U.S. History—published a short but explosive book: War Is a Racket. At fewer than 50 pages, it remains one of the most searing indictments of the economic motives behind war. Butler’s thesis was radical yet straightforward: wars are rarely fought for freedom or defense—they are fought for profit.

From His Book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, to Today’s Debt Diplomacy: Debt as a Weapon

What John Perkins alleged two decades ago—that a system that uses debt to shape nations’ choices—still resonates. But the 2020s bring new players, new contracts, and new fault lines, marking a significant evolution in debt diplomacy. Here’s how the playbook has evolved—and what it means for countries caught in the middle.

Why We Should Accept Nothing at Face Value from the Mainstream Media

Because of its persistent—and often subtle—use of propaganda techniques to sway public opinion

“It Costs an Arm and a Leg:” The Real Story Behind The Phrase

We all know the phrase: “That costs an arm and a leg!” It screams expensive—but where did it come from? Let’s bust the myths and trace its real evolution.

California’s 2025 Legislative Reset: Housing Density Meets AI Accountability

California’s 2025 legislative session was historic. Governor Gavin Newsom signed 794 bills into Law, vetoing 123 others, in a sweeping effort to address the structural challenges facing the state. Among these, two policy areas stand out for their transformative potential: housing reform and the regulation of artificial intelligence. These initiatives not only address immediate crises, such as affordability and tech ethics, but also set a precedent for national policy debates.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed 794 bills in 2025, spanning a Wide Range of Policy Areas.

The Governor never met a new regulation designed to control every element of human experience that he didn’t like. The control in California of the human experience moves one step further toward the Communist Chinese Party experiment. Tax, regulate, and provide a safety net for those who don’t want to work. They will come in groups, and I will maintain control over them. They will vote for me because I represent a life-line hammock.

SB-21 (2025): How Sacramento Rewrote Single Room Occupant (SRO) Rules—And What It Means for Housing, Finance, and Cities- Technical Read

SB-21, signed on 10 October 2025 (Chapter 511, Statutes of 2025), updates the Housing Crisis Act framework to allow jurisdictions to rehabilitate and replace single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings with more flexible unit replacement rules. This update, while securing long-term affordability and strengthening tenant protections, ensures a fair and balanced approach for all stakeholders. Most provisions take effect on 1 January 2026 (the regular effective date for non-urgency statutes).

Demonstrations and Rioting in the USA are a Big and Profitable Business Enterprise.

History and economic dimensions of activist demonstrations and rioting in the United States, including its evolution into a profit-driven and politically charged enterprise:

The Psychology of Economic Behavior — Why We Choose What We Choose

Let’s review a few comments between economists, Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich Hayek, and compare their views on purpose and individualism.

Top Mortgage Risks: Empowering Knowledge for Every Borrower and Lender.

The mortgage industry, a vital pillar of the housing market, is not immune to significant risks.  Both lenders and borrowers face challenges that, if not managed effectively, can lead to severe financial strain.  Below, we present the top mortgage risks, ranked by their potential Impact, along with real-world examples, to raise awareness and caution.

Kermit the Frog: The Iconic Muppet Known for His Gentle Wisdom, Quirky Humor, and Heartfelt Optimism.

Famous Lines from Kermit the Frog: Wisdom from a Green Icon

Forrest Gump: The Simple Sentences That Made a Film Immortal

And these simple sentences resonate in our lives when we experience Forrest Gump moments.

How California Legislative Bills Get Proposed, Written, and Submitted for Approval.

“Start-Stop” and “Stop -Go” Dynamics in Business: This is Not a Strategy, but Rather a Barrier.

The phrase “Stop, and Go” is not just a simple expression, but a concept of profound importance in various aspects of life, particularly in the dynamic world of business. Its literal and metaphorical uses carry significant implications, shaping the way we understand and navigate the business landscape.

How to Locate, Vet, and Negotiate with Private Money Lenders: The Key to Secure and Confident Real Estate Financing, Packed with Valuable Insights

(A Borrower’s Handbook)

American Moral Hazard Analysis, Sector-by-Sector: Government Inefficiency, Corporate Profitability, and Insurance Market Instability

A moral hazard occurs when one party is insulated from risk and therefore behaves differently than they would if they were fully exposed to the consequences of that risk. The risks are systematically transferred to another group, a subset of the whole group, or an external entity.

How Federal Legislative Laws and Regulations Get Written (with Industry Examples)

Most laws don’t start as polished statutes. They begin as ideas—often from outside the legislature—and are translated into precise legal text by nonpartisan attorneys employed by the legislature, with heavy input from members’ staff and stakeholders. While lobbyists and advocacy groups cannot introduce legislation themselves, they do play a significant role in shaping the language that ends up on paper.

How Does Search Engine Optimization Work?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving a website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) to attract more organic (non-paid) traffic.

Radicalized Ideologies Spring Up in the Age of Algorithms: Why, And How They Spread—and What Actually Works Against Them

Radicalized ideologies thrive when three forces converge: grievance and the need for significance, compelling narratives that legitimize extreme means, and networks that reward commitment and belonging. Researchers frame these as needs–narratives–networks (or, in classic models, the “staircase” that narrows choices as people move upward).