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Make Banking Boring Again
This is the fourth letter I've sent to the FT editor that they published. It won't make me popular in the fintech community.
Oct 24, 20221 min read


The Global Economy
Here are my thoughts on what to expect in the coming year.
Oct 10, 20223 min read


Life in Washington, DC
Washington DC has been my primary residence since September 1973 when my wife Alaire and I moved here from Indonesia with our...
Sep 27, 20223 min read


Another election season
The crucial issue is whether the Democratic Party will retain its majority but there is a deeper issue.
Sep 15, 20222 min read


Myanmar Update (July 2022)
A lot has happened since my last update, which was sent out on 19 December 2021. Here's the bad news followed by the good news.
Jul 16, 20225 min read


GDP fixation on growth drives population increase
The Financial Times seems to like my letters. This is the third one they have published since the beginning of this year.
Jun 24, 20221 min read


No Country is Better Placed Than Canada to Fix the G20 (April 2022)
In my 19 April 2022 Letter to the Editor of the Financial Times, I suggested that the G20 global policy forum be replaced by a G15.
Apr 1, 20221 min read


Migration from Central America
I have tried to get the Biden Administration to include a “new city” project in their program to reduce migration from Central America.
Mar 13, 20226 min read


Don't Blame the IMF for Argentina's Debt Woes (February 2022)
In my 9 February 2022 Letter to the Editor of the Financial Times, I wrote about the problem of unsustainable debt owed to China.
Feb 2, 20221 min read


We Don’t Need More Babies (February 2022)
In my February 2022 Letter to the Editor of the Washington Post, I suggested that growing the US population to 800 million is a lousy idea.
Feb 1, 20221 min read


Youth and Sports in the Middle East (January 2022)
One of my Peace Corps group mates had the idea of building a sports complex in Palestine for Middle East youth. Here is our elevator pitch.
Jan 1, 20224 min read


Constitutional Amendment (January 2022)
A friend had the brilliant idea for an amendment that would stop campaign financing by corporations. Here is our elevator pitch.
Jan 1, 20224 min read


Myanmar Update (December 2021)
I try to send updates to family and friends at least twice a year covering the ongoing conflict and progress in building Parami University.
Dec 1, 20214 min read


The World of Economics and Finance
Here are my notes for the online 8-week course I taught in 2021 for students in Myanmar. A Parami University continuing education project.
Oct 19, 20212 min read


The USA Doesn't Need a Bigger Population
Before deciding on a migration policy, the USA should have a policy aimed at stabilizing our policy around the 330 million level.
May 5, 20211 min read


China’s Relations with the Paris Club
The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing many countries to the edge of default. Workouts will use Paris Club rules, but China is not a member.
Apr 30, 202127 min read


Getting More Eggs from Happier Hens
The Peace Corps sent me to India in 1965 to introduce modern poultry keeping. Here’s a short account of my unimpressive accomplishments.
Mar 1, 20214 min read


China's Falling Birth Rate
In my February 2021 Letter to the Editor of the Financial Times, I wrote that China’s falling birth rate is a positive, not negative, trend.
Feb 13, 20211 min read


Youth Social Enterprise Forum in Community Development
Remarks for a youth forum in January 2021 via Zoom.
Jan 27, 20212 min read


The Peace Corps in the Post-Pandemic World
The Covid19 pandemic forced the evacuation of all Peace Corps volunteers overseas. And prompted thoughts on the future of the Peace Corps.
Jul 12, 202010 min read
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