PCScipio

Do Current Municipal Bond Prices Reflect Current Risks?

Agree, Jeff, but I'd be very careful of muni-bond funds, which are likely to have problem children or suffer from investor over-reaction to a general malaise in the sector.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders introduces legislation that would give Treasury Sec. Timothy Geithner 90 days to compile a list of banks, funds and insurers deemed too big to fail, and then break them up within a year.

Super idea, but our venal congresspukes will never pass it.

FOMC Statement: Blue-Line Comparison

This reminds me of Soviet analysis in the old days. Now what did the Politburo say this year vice last year on the occasion of the Great October Socialist Revolution.

It's not surprising that many pension funds are in trouble. So it may not be surprising that the government wants to help. A plan's under consideration to loosen funding requirements, so long as companies don't freeze benefits - which just might increase the need to bail out pensions.

Ya think!

A Cyclical Guide to CEF and ETF Investing

Thanks much, Joe. Too bad CEF tech is all health related; lots of uncertainty there.

CEFs Report Mixed Messages

Noticed the disconnect with the website version. Thanks for clarification.

Bond Expert: Friday Outlook

"I can only imagine the glee among the Barney Frank’s of the world as they could run against the Federal Reserve rather than the Republicans." I don't get this, but it's probably best if you keep political commentary out of your posts.

ETFs Take the Lead: Will Mutual Funds Fade Away?

Where is the preponderance in the 401(k) world? The company I used to work for had only regular MFs in its plan.

Bond Expert: Friday Outlook

As usual, there's no crystal ball (i.e., an improving employment picture signalling rising rates).

Bond Funds Price Change vs Volatility

Excellent article! Thanks.

Kids go back to school tomorrow, as parents breathe a collective sigh of relief. Here's what President Obama plans to tell them.

It's Mr. Natural, Spald, and you've proven my point.

Kids go back to school tomorrow, as parents breathe a collective sigh of relief. Here's what President Obama plans to tell them.

Tragically, the level of political discourse in this country has deteriorated significantly. Everyone's motives are suspect, angry confrontation is the order of the day. Self-serving politicians and the ratings driven media promote this environment because the average Joe responds to it. I leave it to the reader to decide where the average Joe's political affiations lie.

Robert Reich's "ode to Labor Day" raises key questions: Why isn't the media screaming about the stack of bad job and wage numbers? And without jobs, where does the demand come from to dig us out?

Jack, gave you a +1. Sounds like you're a flaming moderate. ;-)

Robert Reich's "ode to Labor Day" raises key questions: Why isn't the media screaming about the stack of bad job and wage numbers? And without jobs, where does the demand come from to dig us out?

Niner, your comment made me curious about TV ratings. First listing on Google was tvbythenumbers.com. One of the lead items is:

"Updated: Fox Airs So You Think You Can Dance, Glee Instead of Obama Address; Posted on 04 September 2009 by Bill Gorman

"It’s now official, FOX won’t carry the President’s address and will go with its regularly scheduled premieres on September 9."

Fox, a news organization to be proud of! And I understand Fox cleans the competition's clock on ratings. We're in deep kimche.

Robert Reich's "ode to Labor Day" raises key questions: Why isn't the media screaming about the stack of bad job and wage numbers? And without jobs, where does the demand come from to dig us out?

Reich is a well known liberal, so what he writes here should come as no surprise. But being a liberal is no better or worse than being a conservative. There is no wisdom at either end of the spectrum. East and West agree on this (e.g., see Socrates "Middle Road," Terence's "Moderation in all things," and Buddha's "Middle Way"). Where is good old American problem solving by the radical middle?