a. palmer jr.

Americans Get Their Driving Mojo Back Over the Summer

Slightly cheaper gas right now. I think driving would have picked up a little even with $4 gas but so would debt. I also think that 3 or 4 years from now will tell the tale of how broke we, as a country are. When we're out of gas and can't borrow any more money then the driving will really decrease. As far as I know the unemployment is still worsening and housing contracts are still defaulting, banks are still going broke.
I just can't see ordinary people wasting their money on vacations.

Berkshire Well Positioned for Buffett's Prediction on Electric Cars

I also must take issue with the first comment that electric cars will create more jobs for North Americans...I feel like that in the long run the electric has the capability of creating less jobs for auto people rather than more. Electric cars will have way fewer parts to wear out than gas or hybrid cars and electric motors can be made to last for long periods of time. It's true they'll still need tires, and some other things that gas cars use but the parts they won't need will make a long list. They won't need hardly any gaskets, mufflers, exhaust pipes, fuel pump, fuel lines, water pump, radiator, hoses, etc. All these play a big part in our work force. Imagine a place like AutoZone only carrying such items as wiper blades and wax. There would have to be major layoffs at traditional parts supplier manufacturers. Of course not having to buy auto parts might free up money to be spent elsewhere, but many auto parts are made in USA and the other things probably won't be.

Berkshire Well Positioned for Buffett's Prediction on Electric Cars

I don't think it's likely that battery cars will fully replace gas cars in twenty or thirty years. Look at all the cars on the road and in garages that are 25 years old. I own a 25 year old car and probably will have it for awhile. I would dearly love to have an electric (not hybrid) car for all the trips to town and around the county. It would be nice to pass the gas stations without buying anything except convenience store items. If the government doesn't get greedy and start taxing the electric consumers more it would be quite an advantage financially to own an electric. Think of all the oil changes you won't need, or mufflers, etc. If an electric were affordable it would be great for fixed income seniors and many low income families.

What the Senate Health Bill Will Really Cost

Even if the health care plans exclude illegals, Obama will grant amnesty to all of them anyway, which will encourage the rest of Mexico and Central America to join in the party, courtesy of future American taxpayers (your grandchildren). Even if they're not residents they can come here for free health care then go home (if we're lucky) at night. It would be hard to put a price tag on that.

What the Senate Health Bill Will Really Cost

I'm not letting the insurance industry off the hook...everyone involved in health care pretty well gouges the customer, except the fellow that mows the yard or cleans up the place.
As for illegal immigrants getting free emergency room care I think I've found a solution: Why don't we take the money that free healthcare costs for them and spend that on enforcing the border and on deporting illegals. We'll use our own unemployed people to do menial jobs or lose their unemployment.

eBay Finally Spins Off Skype

I guess we can turn down the noise if we want by not clicking on ebay. I wonder if that would make it quieter for him.

What the Senate Health Bill Will Really Cost

I have an idea that the medical industry, like the banking industry, has been under-regulated for so long that a bubble has been allowed to form, and now the government is stepping in to make things worse.
Ever stay in the hospital? If so, take a look at your itemized bill, (if you get one) and see what the charges are. You can go to the most expensive store in the state and get anything that's on the list cheaper than a hospital charges you. They even put items on the list that you didn't get. As far as hospital rooms go, you can find the most expensive motel or hotel in your area and the hospital room, no matter how small or old or poorly equipped will be more costly.
I once had a doctor do no more than touch my collar bone and say "It's healing nicely" and he charged me $189! That was over 20 years ago; I shudder to think what he'd charge now. Maybe it's not all about insurance companies gouging...maybe the medical industry should be reigned in as well.

eBay Finally Spins Off Skype

Ebay needs to bring somebody in to their main office from the outside to tell them what they're doing wrong. Ebay should already know but apparently aren't listening too hard to what the sellers have to say. The main thing I didn''t like are the higher than necessary fees. When you consider Ebay's fees plus Paypal fees plus postage, it doesn't make much sense to try to sell your stuff on Ebay unless you like to lose money. If you just want to get rid of something there's always the trash can...

Fire the Lot of 'Em!

It's not charity when you steal from one person and give to another!

Small Businesses Going Under? Blame It on the Banks

I'm thinking of another quite different thing that bankers should be thinking...We are so lucky to be in jobs like this where you don't get dirty or tired, don't work long hours, and all you do is take money in and lend money out, and profit from the difference. We have these tellers to do the dirty work for us, such as dealing with angry customers and any physical labor that may be required. I never had a job like that and I know that's a simple description of banking buy I think it's most people's opinion. Personally I'd like to do away with banks if possible.

Are Negative Yield Money Funds Next?

I can see the sales of safes going through the roof as we speak. If I only knew the name of a safe company (one who makes safes). I bought a small safe a few years ago to put important papers in but I wish I'd maxed out the size and bought one to put guns, money and other valuables in.

NBC TV Network Could Convert to Cable Under Comcast Ownership

I hope that free broadcasting doesn't end...there are several families around that still can't afford cable and satellite tv. If cable gets it's hooks into the free system, look out! There'll be nothing to stop them from raising fees thru the roof!! The only thing stopping them now is the threat that customers will go back to free tv and dismantle their satellite or cable. It would be better if pay tv were forced out of business, mostly what they have are reruns of free tv shows anyway.

Chevy Volt: 12 Months to Go

Is GM banned from bringing back the EV-1? From what I understand, the people who were allowed to use the EV-1 were extremely pleased with it. If that's the case, why not resurrect it and give drivers a choice. I would opt for the EV-1 over the Volt if given a choice. If Volt is the only choice GM offers I probably would look elsewhere.

Itron, Comverge Test Plug-In Car Charging Control

Are we going to buy coal from Australia and ship ours to China and Japan? It sounds like something our administration will work on.

Ethanol vs. Natural Gas or Coal: Comparison Not Even Close

Correction on my last comment: Hte, so far has REDUCED the dividend, not suspended as of November. Sorry.