(Mises)—Trying to keep up with economic news is exhausting. Tune into the financial news channels or scroll through any number of economic blogs, and you’ll be hit with a fire hose of alarming headlines, scary-looking graphs, and a tone-deaf establishment emphatically declaring that the economy is better than ever.
Debates rage on social media and in the halls of Congress over the most trivial policy details. All while the financial markets swing dramatically with every political antic or geopolitical flare-up. It’s difficult to separate what’s meaningful from the distractions and the outright falsehoods in the daily information deluge. What’s important can get lost.
We live in the most materially wealthy era in human history. The amount of comfort, convenience, and abundance we enjoy today is astonishing when compared to all of human history. And yet young Americans are having a harder time affording the same lifestyle choices—like buying a home and raising a family—that previous generations enjoyed. Something is clearly working in our economy, and something else is clearly not.
And so, if we’re to stay grounded among all the noise of the economic news cycle, it is imperative we take a step back and understand what policies actually lie at the root of our economic problems as well as what’s responsible for all that’s gone right.
In the keynote lecture of the Mises Institute Supporters Summit earlier this month, Dr. Jörg Guido Hülsmann put the monetary system at the center not only of much of our economic pain but of our cultural problems, too.
Our monetary system, Hülsmann explained, is unprecedented in human history. Until recently, the only comparable historical examples were wartime economies fueled by money printing. But since World War II, the federal government has elected to subject us to a perpetual wartime economy.
The result has been eighty years of permanent price inflation. Those politically connected enough to get the newly created money early benefit greatly from this system. But for the rest of us, the adverse effects are hard to understate. For one, perishable goods—notably labor—trade at a discount compared to more durable goods and assets. That’s why it takes longer to build enough wealth on the labor market to afford durable things like houses.
Permanent price inflation also incentivizes debt financing, bringing about what Hülsmann calls a “culture of debt.” The monetary system encourages people to be more shortsighted and reductionist in their economic decisions. Politically, an indebted population is also much easier to control.
Other effects outlined in the speech are that firms become artificially big, the consumption of stuff takes priority over the cultivation and production of resources, the quality of our elites and leaders diminishes, and generosity recedes out of community life.
There are, of course, countless other problems facing us—even in the economic policy sphere. But the destruction of our money is the toxic root of so many of these other issues.
But understanding what’s causing the problems in our economy is only half the battle. We also need a firm grasp of what’s working. Because it’s not all bad. Plenty of wealth is still being created every day. And if we’re ever going to return to a sustainable, growing economy, we need to know how wealth is created.
Earlier this year, Mises Institute senior fellow Shawn Ritenour published an award-winning book on this exact topic, The Economics of Prosperity. In it, Ritenour uses economic theory and history to define the necessary conditions for economic growth. These are the market division of labor, a robust capital structure, and the subsequent improvements in technology. All of this production and investment must be coordinated, making entrepreneurs a necessary component of economic growth. In Ritenour’s words, “Economic progress is the happy consequence of a highly developed division of labor, taking advantage of an increasing capital structure, embodied in technically advanced capital goods, all wisely invested by entrepreneurs.”
Entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to coordinate the process because, unlike political leaders, they are subjected to the feedback and incentives of the profit and loss system. That allows them to conduct economic calculation—constantly reallocating resources to their most valued uses.
Crucially, the entire process of economic growth relies on the institution of private property. As Ritenour explains, “People can only benefit from the division of labor if they are free to exchange the goods they produce.” Entrepreneurs need ownership over capital and resources to open new lines of production and sell the resulting products.
Finally, Ritenour cites the need for sound money. If entrepreneurs are going to conduct economic calculation, they need a reliable monetary unit. On top of that, none of the above conditions for growth matter unless people are willing to forgo some present consumption to save and invest in production—which is, remember, the exact kind of behavior that permanent price inflation discourages.
These kinds of big-picture considerations are often absent from the economic discourse of the day. That’s good news for the political class and their crony friends, who all benefit from the status quo. But for those of us who want to bring about meaningful change, these are the exact considerations we must work to keep front of mind, day in and day out. The political monetary system is a debilitating, destructive scam that needs to be exposed and abolished. We need a sound monetary system, and we need to recommit to the institution of private property. Don’t let the melodrama of the daily news cycle let you forget that.
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About the Author
Connor O’Keeffe (@ConnorMOKeeffe) produces media and content at the Mises Institute. He has a master’s in economics and a bachelor’s in geology.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
Wonderfully nebulous article in the time of FANTASY FINANCE and “financial engineering” — — dark pools, internalization, HFT, rehypothecation and 1,000% invalidated securitization contracts (PSAs)!!!!! Extending the money creation ENTITLEMENT of the super—rich through credit derivatives, carbon permits and cap–and–trade, etc.
Monopoly capitalism MINUS free enterprise AIN’T capitalism, chums!