Alan Blinder, former Fed vice chairman, on inflation and when to expect the Fed will hike the rate. His main message: inflation is not the danger.

Economists and policy makers are divided over whether we will have a surge in inflation, and when the monetary policy should be tightened after inflation appears.

Uncertainties in government’s attitude and actions toward inflation will certainly make inflation-hedge investment strategies look even more attractive.

The short answer is no —interview of Stephen Roach, Morgan Stanley Asia Chairman.

A nice chart on the sheer magnitude of government bailout during this financial crisis —206 years versus 12 months. Total cost: ~$15 trillion and counting . . .

(click to enlarge; graph courtesy of Big Picture)

Note: I am not sure the graph has taken inflation into account. But in any case, the current government bailout is enormous.

Inside story of the two banks at the heart of the current financial crisis: Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, from my favorite Frontline of PBS. Highly recommend.

With credit crunch over (I assume), it’s time to review what we have been through:

(click to enlarge; source: Gluskin Sheff)

On Point discussion on Obama's big health care push that aims to overhaul America's health care system.