Jimbo

2 Unfortunate, Possible Consequences of Deficit Hysteria

BOTH political parties are culpable for the mismanagement of the national exchequer. It seems unclear to me if the author believes we are also in the present predicament due to a corrupt financial class that has systematically screwed the rest of the country. As far as "capitalism" is concerned it is a problematic socioeconomic system but, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, it is better than all the others. I would also suggest that when the author uses the term"Right Wingers" as a pejorative, he betrays his own bias.

Think the U.S. Economy Is Headed Toward Inflation? Think Again

I have to agree with many above commenters regarding the threat of stagflation. Incomes are not rising but prices, taxes, and "fees" are as retailers try to maintain margins and state, local, and federal governments try to offset declining tax revenues. The inevitable consequence is a decline in material living standards for the public. The decline of the dollar is not helping.

Canadian Oil Sands: An Investment in Secure, Long-Life Oil

All forms of alternative transportation fuels have severe technical and logistic problems that must be solved. This will take time and money. In the meantime , we have to run a crippled economy on traditional fossil fuels. The rest of the world may outgrow us and require a dependable source of fossil fuels. If my premises are correct, Oil/tar sands should have a great future. I am long COS.

The Case for Depression, Part 4: Dollar Collapse

One commenter (mad hedge fund?) predicts that the Republicans return to power in DC. I have been a registered Republican since 1954 and I am totally disgusted with those bums. They are as much responsible for this dire set of circumstances as the Democrats. The Washington area must be a magical force field, a political Bermuda Triangle. People get elected and soon are corrupted and become self serving thieves and liars. The ONLY way we can recover the republic we once had is to enact a constitutional amendment to limit terms in Congress and make it a FELONY for former members to lobby after office.

Will the Price of Gold Soon Have a Meaningful Impact on Our Monetary Policy?

The first paragraph in 353732's post, above, seems to be especially appropriate for everyone in the current White House.

High Gold Prices: It's the Oil, Stupid

Another excellent article, Fitzman. I share your opinions about George Bush, but consider the alternatives: Al Gore and John Kerry !!! We are not well served by our political system. Allow me to suggest a somewhat conspiratorial idea: the power elite are deliberately driving the price of motor fuels up hoping that a magical solution will take place. Solar powered cars, trucks propelled by pixie dust, windmill powered bicycles etc. We should be mounting a maximum effort to develop domestic fossil fuels while mounting another maximum effort to research and develop alternative energy since I believe oil is going to become evermore scarce and evermore expensive. Natural gas is an important transitional fuel but ultimately the electric grid will depend on Uranium and Thorium reactors, with geothermal and solar/wind supplementing. Biofuels may be important in the future but their advocates don't seem to recognize the technical and logistical problems. A concentration on domestic energy will help the struggling dollar.

Global Markets in Review: Share Prices Too Far Ahead of Economic Reality

Clemenceau was French Prime Minister in WW1. His comment related to WW1. I get the feeling that there is no real place to hide in the short term. I am mostly in energy and commodities with some holdings in technology. If we have inflation, these should recover from a correction reasonably well. What I really fear is stagflation where the dollar sinks, energy goes up, but the employment situation stalls out.

U.S. Debt May Undermine Long-Term Growth Prospects

I concur with the author. But I don't believe the GDP projection is accurate. Too many statistics on our economy seem to turn out false, or unreliable.

Trade War? Don't Rule It Out, Yet

Have to agree with 353732. The leadership of China is far more tougher and resilient than that of the U.S. U.S. leadership more closely resembles a naive bully. They have already caved on several foreign matters and the Chinese know this.

The Other Side of the Argument: Deflationist Hugh Hendry's Market Commentary

I keep reading seemingly equally credible arguments for inflation vs. deflation. I also am reading accounts that draw a sharp parallel to our current predicament and the fate of Japan since 1989. Could some bright soul take the inflation/deflation issue and cast it in terms of the Japanese experience? This might offer us an idea of the way out. I realize our manufacturing base is in much worse shape and our personal debt is worse and the national debt is closing in on Japan.

Goldman Tries to Combat Its Bad Image

My wife and I lost 70% of our life's savings in the recent financial meltdown. The Bankster-gangsters have irretrievably damaged our economic and social systems. The U.S. may end up becoming a totalitarian society. How can we ever thank "Government-Sachs" ???

How to Participate in the Asset Bubble Safely

I sure hope this man is correct. My portfolio reflects the same thinking as his. I do believe we are in for a turbulent ride with the dollar possibly being destroyed.

Japan Parallels Are Too Close for Comfort

I agree we may be making the same errors that Japan has made. True, our demographics are not as bad. But the Japanese had a vibrant export economy and a high savings rate. We have neither. I think we are trying to improve on what Herbert Hoover did but maybe we should be trying to improve on what Calvin Coolidge did.

Peak Oil: Caused by Geology, Politics or Infrastructure Issues?

The prevailing social and political zeitgeist is suppressing the production of all hydrocarbon fuels with expectation that this will cause the emergence of alternative sources of energy. But there are serious logistical and technical issues with most alternatives, except possibly geothermal which lacks the ability to massively replace traditional energy. I have a solar water heater that is saving me about $50 a month but my home is at 27 degrees latitude. How practical is this for homes at 40 degrees? It may take decades to develop an economically effective source of biofuels. My prediction is that when gasoline again exceeds four dollars a gallon and tips us back into depression, (if we are not already there), there will be a clamor to develop additional domestic sources of hydrocarbons. The Rocky Mountains and ANWAR may not be off limits then.

Peak Oil: Caused by Geology, Politics or Infrastructure Issues?

The prevailing social and political zeitgeist is suppressing the production of all hydrocarbon fuels with expectation that this will cause the emergence of alternative sources of energy. But there are serious logistical and technical issues with most alternatives, except possibly geothermal which lacks the ability to massively replace traditional energy. I have a solar water heater that is saving me about $50 a month but my home is at 27 degrees latitude. How practical is this for homes at 40 degrees? It may take decades to develop an economically effective source of biofuels. My prediction is that when gasoline again exceeds four dollars a gallon and tips us back into depression, (if we are not already there), there will be a clamor to develop additional domestic sources of hydrocarbons. The Rocky Mountains and ANWAR may not be off limits then.