PastTense

Positioning for a Bond Rally

E Nuff Sed::

Obviously another alternative is cutting spending.

But I agree with you about the politicians will do--devaluation.

Elliot Wave: The Dollar Is Set for a Major Rally

Here's an article on Elliott Wave technical analysis:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

What's Up with Gold Inventories?

Are any of the gold ETFs safer than the rest?

6 Benefits of Investing in Silver ETFs

Anyone have any reasons to think one silver ETF is safer than another?

Are Reports of the Dollar's Death Premature?

I don't understand while this is an editor's pick; I don't see anything particularly useful about it. The question is not whether or not Republicans or Democrats have historically been better for the dollar; the question is what is going to happen in the future.

What we have now is 1. A massive debt. 2. The coming retirement of the Baby Boomer generation. 3. Exploding health care costs, with neither party having a serious interest in controlling costs (the Republicans wanting to continue the current mess as is, the Democrats wanting to tweak the system a little to add coverage for the uninsured). 4. The dominance of both parties by Wall Street bankers (who have the philosophy privatize the gains, socialize the losses); thus both parties favor massive banking bailouts--as well as numerous other special interests. 5. Both parties supporting massive, increasing deficits (the Democrats more by spending on social programs, the Republicans more by tax cuts for the rich, expanding defense spending). 6. Peak oil. 7. The transfer of American manufacturing abroad. 7. An American culture hostile to thrift, hard work and other traditional American values. 8. A general agreement by everyone to kick the can down the street; mortgage the next generation.

Debt Deflation: What's the Solution?

Welfare for the poor is a small fraction of welfare for the middle class and rich in this country (starting with the bankers, continuing to the house buyers buying Mcmansions, the overpaid auto workers, the farmers...). So if one cuts benefits for the latter while improving the safety net for the disadvantaged, the result is a much improved situation regarding too much debt.

The Bad Cs of Credit

"our Wall Street institutions are in one way or the other, also on the government dole."

Nonsense. People on the dole are in a subservient position. In contrast Wall Street runs the Fed, the administration, the Democratic and Republican parties in Congress.

Ignore Brazil at Your Peril - Goldman Sachs

". If I were a long-term investor I’d likely have Brazil at the very top of my investment list…"

So why aren't you a long term investor?

Down Week for Stocks: Small Blip or the Start of Something Bigger?

Some of us think that for stocks in general to keep going up you need to have a good economic situation. This isn't happening. Instead we have a very high unemployment rate with virtually no sign of improvement.

World Recovery Is in the Hands of OPEC

Doesn't anyone remember the 1973 oil crisis?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

That was 36 years ago. Back then there was a strong consensus that the United States shouldn't be held hostage by the Middle Eastern dictators. Jimmy Carter started this country on the path to energy independence. What happened? America decided it preferred cheap oil now, rather than prepare for the future.

The problem now is not OPEC; the problem is peak oil--the world is running out of cheap oil. Plus there is a vast, increasing demand for oil from places like China and India--they are now rapidly buying autos...So energy costs are going to explode.

Precious Metals ETFs: A Less Risky Way to Maintain Purchasing Power?

The less risky approach is not ETFs, but rather holding the actual physical metal.

eBay Q3: Earnings Not Too Shabby, Outlook Tentative

"Bill Me later had a net charge-off rate of 11.5 percent as bankruptcy and credit write-offs increased."

If eBay's management weren't incompetent, they wouldn't be offering something with this kind of charge-off rate.

The Flip Side of Energy Reform: Destroying Oil Demand

I disagree with the comments as it applies to gas stations: small, fuel efficient cars means a driver buys less gas when he goes to the gas station, not that he makes a lot fewer visits to gas stations. And at gas stations, gasoline sales are basically a loss-leader or break-even proposition--gas stations make their profits selling beer, cigarettes, and convenience store items.

GE: Still a Bargain

The concerns one has are solely about the finance unit: this could well turn out to be a black hole.

Silver Wheaton: Growth Coming from Every Direction

I don't understand this stock: why are the companies who have made these $4/ounce deals with SLW going to remain satisfied with such low royalties? Won't these deals run out fairly shortly and have to be renegotiated to much higher payments?