Fill up your cup of coffee or tea and join us for our popular, biweekly virtual conversation about current events facilitated by Tom Murphy and John Williams. Each week’s discussion is typically accompanied by some readings you’ll receive in advance via email. Topics for the subsequent week are decided at the previous discussion. Today’s topics are:

• Inflation: What are some causes for the recent increase in the consumer price index (CPI)? Who is suffering and who is benefiting? What should be the proper balance between economic growth and the maintenance of a stable currency? How do we do that?

• What best explains the rise of right-wing “populism” in some Western European countries–as evidenced most recently by the electoral strength of Marie Le Pen of France and Viktor Orban in Hungary? Is it related in any way to Putinism and to the Jan. 6th insurrection in the US?

Register at least two days in advance by sending an email to tjmurphy4@comcast.net. You will then be sent the Zoom link to join along with suggested readings.