Utah Returns to the Gold Standard, Germany Goes Cold Turkey on Nuclear Power . . .

And OtherNews That Needs Commenting On

The NYT reports on Utah’s Law to Encourage Spending with Gold and Silver.  Yes, they want people to use gold and silver coins instead of, you know, paper bills, credit cards, checks and all that other new fangled stuff.  A spokesman for the U. S. mint said

“the new law “is of no real consequence,” and is purely symbolic”

But that of course does not stop true believers

“This is an incremental step in the right direction,” said Lowell Nelson, the interim coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty in Utah, a libertarian group rooted in Ron Paul’s presidential campaign. “If the federal government isn’t going to do it, then we here in Utah ought to be able to establish a monetary system that would survive a crash if and when that happens.”

In other news in Utah the state has voted to require the use of dial telephones and for the state to stockpile buggy whips.

Germany is planning to phase out all of its nuclear energy production in ten years.  This will stimulate the development of wind and solar power to produce electricity.  The move represents a 180 degree change for the Merkel government as a Tidal Wave (not of water but of public opinion) threatened her government.

The Financial Times is reporting that about the only way that Greece can be saved is to destroy it.  This involves sale and privatization of Greek government assets.

Officials involved in the discussions believe far more than €50bn could be raised in sales of state-owned assets, with estimates ranging from €250bn to €300bn – or almost all of Greece’s outstanding debt.

The Dismal Political Economist has already described how the sale of assets, without accompanying reforms is only a short term fix,

Europe Continues March to Non-Lethal Suicide

The FT also reports that the Europeans might take over tax collection in Greece and force more austerity.  Exactly how much of Greece is left at the end of all this was not discussed.

Finally, the Boston Globe has the first of a series on articles on Mitt Romney and the health care law in Massachusetts.  The article seems very positive towards Mr. Romney.  It seems the former Governor just cannot catch a break.