Inflation is through the roof. Stocks are through the floor. Most economists say that a recession is likely to hit soon or is already here. Add to this the economic impact of the Ukraine invasion, an entitlements crisis with the possible bankruptcy of Medicare and Social Security trust funds in the coming years, and today's weird housing market. 

In this episode, we discuss all these, plus the tough choices now facing the Federal Reserve, political dysfunction in Washington, disruption of global supply chains, and the roots of the inflation crisis.

Our guest is Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle, the author of "The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well is the Key to Success." 

"The biggest issue is getting the political will to act like grownups," Megan tells us.

"We used to have one party that would try to keep taxes reasonable... and the other party would keep the spending down to match the taxes. Now we're in a situation where everyone gets in and wants to spend all of the money without any regard to discipline."

Also, learn about what Richard's brother knew about Just-in-Time Production, and Jim's Dad understood about monetarism.

Recommendation: Jim is reading "Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle", by critic and journalist Jody Rosen. She examines the bicycle’s past and peers into its future

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