Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Economics

Jim Kunstler on the Bail Out and What’s Next

Jim Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency, has been predicting today's financial catastrophe for a few years now so it's no surprise that his blog is loading slowly this morning. The people want to know: What's going to happen next?

What themainstream is truly missing here en masse is that another tsunami isbuilding right behind the finance fiasco, and that it will render mootthe whole reeking cargo of schemes and wishes that comprises the GreatBail-out. I am speaking of the global oil problem. In fact, theproblems in banking and money currently roaring in the center ring ofthe world circus, can be described categorically as a product of theoil problem -- since oil is the primary resource of industrialeconomies and therefore the motive force behind our ability to generate"wealth." Without reliable and ever-growing supplies of oil, there isno industrial growth, and without industrial growth things like capitalinvestment instruments lose their legitimacy. That is why theFrankenstein family of Ponzi securities was invented in the first place-- to compensate for the demise of industrial growth by creating wealthout of... nothing!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Gateway’ Drug: Trump Is Holding the Second Avenue Subway Hostage

The president block funds for the Second Avenue Subway during the government shutdown in October — and the MTA has still not received the money, sources said.

January 28, 2026

TRAIN IN VAIN: Amtrak Pulls Plug On Metro-North Expansion

All aboard? Not so fast. Amtrak is putting the brakes on an expansion of the Metro-North that would have extended service to Albany.

January 28, 2026

Bushwick Panel Opposes NYPD Cycling Crackdown — But Board Chair Slams Newbies

A community board chair is calling into question the very role of community boards by saying his board doesn't speak for the community. Yes, he said the thinking part out loud.

January 28, 2026

Survey: Most Americans Are Open To Ditching Their Cars

Automakers have spent a century and countless trillions of dollars making car-dependent living the American norm. But U.S. resident still aren't sold, a new survey suggests.

January 28, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: Plowed In Edition

It was still a mess out there. Plus other news.

January 28, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: The Storm Before the Calm Edition

What a mess (was Gersh actually right?!). Plus other news.

January 27, 2026
See all posts