
Minor Issues
Succinct economic commentary by Dr. Mark Thornton, senior fellow at the Mises Institute.
Latest episodes

Feb 10, 2024 • 0sec
Fed Wisdom and the Magnificent Seven
In this week's episode, Mark takes a quick look back at Fed wisdom in the year 2000, and then surveys today's stock market—and, in particular, the Magnificent Seven stocks, which represent very narrow leadership of the overall stock market.
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Feb 3, 2024 • 0sec
Tightwads at the Fed
Mark talks about the Fed's Reverse Repo Operations, which explain the conundrum of the Fed's "tight" monetary policy and new record highs in the stock market. It turns out that the Fed is not a bunch of "tightwads" after all, but has served up a nearly $2 trillion monetary injection since the bond market cratered last year.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Dr. Guido Hülsmann's How Inflation Destroys Civilization at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Jan 27, 2024 • 0sec
Measure 110 and Property Rights
In this week's episode, we replay Mark's recent appearance on the Rob Taylor Report. Mark and Rob take a deep look at the practical impact of socialist ideology in Oregon when mixed with the partial "decriminalization" of all hard drugs in the state. The main issues they discuss are the lack of respect for private property rights, and woke government causing social chaos in Oregon; but, it's a lesson for everyone, everywhere.
The Rob Taylor Report is available online at RobTaylorReport.com
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Jan 20, 2024 • 0sec
What Is Inflation for 2024?
In this week's episode, Mark compares two definitions of inflation and what this means for policy-makers and the productive population in 2024. The mainstream view creates nothing but confusion and smokescreens, while the Austrian definition shows that the true definition shows a much higher level of economic pain and uncertainty and more economic problems to come in 2024.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Jan 13, 2024 • 0sec
The Draconian Budget Slashing Act of 2024
On this week's episode, Mark opens the Congressional Political Playbook to examine the proposed Congressional compromise spending legislation—and what they might name it.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Jan 6, 2024 • 0sec
Secession
This week's episode begins 2024 by looking at the growing political divide among the American people—and how to solve it.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Dec 30, 2023 • 0sec
2023: A Year Reviewed
In this episode, Mark looks back at 2023 as a great year for the goals and prospects of the Mises Institute moving forward, but a very bad year for the State.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Dec 23, 2023 • 0sec
The Fed Pivot
Stock and bond markets are abuzz this week over Chairman Jay Powell's hints of a "Fed Pivot" in interest rate policy. Mark Thornton explains why this optimism is badly misplaced.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Dec 16, 2023 • 0sec
Greenwashing
In this week's episode Mark explains the term "Greenwashing" and describes how Austrian economists might agree with the sentiment behind it. Are Austrian school economists against the environment? Mark thinks not and explains why.
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.

Dec 9, 2023 • 0sec
The Oregon Problem
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the ballot initiative to decriminalize all drugs in the state of Oregon is failing, and that efforts are underway to recriminalize hard drugs. Mark points out that decriminalizing drug possession does nothing to improve black market production of drugs, which makes drugs much more dangerous to consume. More importantly, it is Oregon's socialist ideology that coddles homelessness and open hard drug use that is the real problem for the good citizens of the state—and is not helping the drug addicts either. The solution is for society—the nexus of private property owners—to reassert its will.
See also "Welcome to Needle Park" by Mark Thornton: Mises.org/Minor48_A
Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.
Get your free copy of Murray Rothbard's Anatomy of the State at Mises.org/IssuesFree.