REVEALED: 2 | Vintage Vibes

Michael Hiltzik: How Trump's frenzy of deregulation killed Silicon Valley Bank

Late in 2018, two Trump-appointed banking regulators, Federal Reserve Vice Chair Randal Quarles and FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams, went on a nationwide tour to meet with regional bank examiners.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 31, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: How Disney's lawyers brutally mauled DeSantis over control of Disney World

Did you really believe that Florida's arrogant, petty, childish Gov. Ron DeSantis would get the better of Walt Disney Co. in their fight over Disney's supposed "wokeness"?

Los Angeles Times · Mar 30, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: Ironic justice: Laws passed to gut Obamacare are now being used to protect abortion rights

The law of unintended consequences is never as powerful as when those consequences originate from a hasty, ill-considered action.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 29, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: Eli Lilly is slashing insulin prices, but hold your applause

Eli Lilly & Co. played the altruism card like a champ on Mar. 1, when it announced steep price cuts on its insulin products of as much as 70%.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 17, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: As Silicon Valley Bank's red flags were flying, the Fed was AWOL

On Jan. 18, William C. Martin, a short-seller and former hedge fund executive, warned his Twitter followers that they were missing something important about Silicon Valley Bank.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 14, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: With demands for a bank bailout, Silicon Valley shows its 'small government' mantra was just a pose

For decades, the dominant mantra of Silicon Valley's powerful has been that government is just a drag on their innovative spirit. Get regulators off our backs, they've argued, and we'll improve people's lives to an indescribable degree.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 14, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: The Silicon Valley Bank collapse is Silicon Valley's problem, not yours

All banking crises throughout history have shared a common element: Short-term depositors try to withdraw their money from institutions locked into long-term assets.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 10, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: How touchy-feely Starbucks became the poster child for illegal union-busting

Few American companies strive to project as warm and welcoming an image as Starbucks, in its treatment of customers and workers alike.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 9, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: Wall Street Journal tells us to weep for the plight of the very, very rich

Coverage of the richest Americans in publications aimed at their tax bracket tend to fall into two genres.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 8, 2023

Michael Hiltzik: A spineless Walgreens bows down to antiabortion crusaders

There has long been reason to question whether, despite its pledges to do the right thing, corporate America will stand up for environmental, social and democratic principles.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 7, 2023