sabbadoo32's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/221513/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/111835-alternative-energy-storage-needs-to-take-baby-steps-before-it-can-run?source=feed#comment-335725 335725 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:06:54 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/111113-why-would-we-want-to-bail-out-this-homeowner?source=feed#comment-331953 331953
What I am curious about is, to what extent did the industry prey on people? I've seen the ads for "solving all your problems with a HELOC", or "finding the home of your dreams no matter your credit." The people who responded weren't graduates of Rocket Science Academy. And the regulators were...well the Bushies replaced the regulators with yes men.

NPR's "Big Pool of Money" does a good job of summing up predatory lending.

So I want to see everyone pay. But I want to see the predators pay more.]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:22:05 -0500
What I am curious about is, to what extent did the industry prey on people? I've seen the ads for "solving all your problems with a HELOC", or "finding the home of your dreams no matter your credit." The people who responded weren't graduates of Rocket Science Academy. And the regulators were...well the Bushies replaced the regulators with yes men.

NPR's "Big Pool of Money" does a good job of summing up predatory lending.

So I want to see everyone pay. But I want to see the predators pay more.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109522-obama-s-2-5-million-job-stimulus-we-need-a-scalpel-not-a-shotgun?source=feed#comment-322845 322845 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:17:04 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/109522-obama-s-2-5-million-job-stimulus-we-need-a-scalpel-not-a-shotgun?source=feed#comment-322836 322836
Ferguson has an excellent idea as well. Why can't this new workforce also repair foreclosed homes that have been trashed? Not necessarily replace expensive marble, but at the very least put up new drywall, fix damage, etc?]]> Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:11:44 -0500
Ferguson has an excellent idea as well. Why can't this new workforce also repair foreclosed homes that have been trashed? Not necessarily replace expensive marble, but at the very least put up new drywall, fix damage, etc?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/109525-how-will-temporary-decline-in-oil-prices-impact-energy-sector?source=feed#comment-322823 322823
I also am concerned about battery power v. highway speeds. The vehicles that I have seen, HEV, electric, have the same if not better driving characteristics than a Honda Fit, or a base Toyota Corolla. What vehicles is the author referring to?

Lastly is infrastructure. Very problematic. If the market moves to 7-10% adoption of green cars in the next few years, how long will it take before utility companies move toward adjusting the grid? One good thing about utilities having a government partner is that it should (I said should) be easier to prod the electric companies to upgrade the grid.

The big X factor for all of this is the economy, and how Obama structures incentives to buy new cars. If he can shift pent up demand for economical cars (not econoboxes) to what I see coming in 2010-2012, then I believe we'll see oil and utilities reacting to the consumer]]> Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:04:00 -0500
I also am concerned about battery power v. highway speeds. The vehicles that I have seen, HEV, electric, have the same if not better driving characteristics than a Honda Fit, or a base Toyota Corolla. What vehicles is the author referring to?

Lastly is infrastructure. Very problematic. If the market moves to 7-10% adoption of green cars in the next few years, how long will it take before utility companies move toward adjusting the grid? One good thing about utilities having a government partner is that it should (I said should) be easier to prod the electric companies to upgrade the grid.

The big X factor for all of this is the economy, and how Obama structures incentives to buy new cars. If he can shift pent up demand for economical cars (not econoboxes) to what I see coming in 2010-2012, then I believe we'll see oil and utilities reacting to the consumer]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105061-should-we-really-bail-out-the-big-three-automakers-with-73-20-per-hour-labor?source=feed#comment-308734 308734
Nationalizing health care would guarantee quality health care for all, and cut that hourly wage number, giving Detroit an additional ability to compete. I say additional, because they could have shifted to hybrid and electric 3 years ago. They could have beaten Toyota to market or been second with that model car.

Some of Detroit's problems weren't visited upon them by the baaad unions or the shifty Japanese. It was a result of their own laziness.
]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:39:11 -0500
Nationalizing health care would guarantee quality health care for all, and cut that hourly wage number, giving Detroit an additional ability to compete. I say additional, because they could have shifted to hybrid and electric 3 years ago. They could have beaten Toyota to market or been second with that model car.

Some of Detroit's problems weren't visited upon them by the baaad unions or the shifty Japanese. It was a result of their own laziness.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105762-reinventing-the-auto-industry-lessons-learned-from-ibm?source=feed#comment-305011 305011
Taking money from the government should really be like making a deal with the devil. In this case, we need to create jobs and clean up the air by taking advantage of the market opportunity that's presented by hybrid and electric vehicles.]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:40:54 -0500
Taking money from the government should really be like making a deal with the devil. In this case, we need to create jobs and clean up the air by taking advantage of the market opportunity that's presented by hybrid and electric vehicles.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98422-non-farm-payrolls-enough-for-a-fed-rate-cut?source=feed#comment-273337 273337
So lower rates may be a good thing. But it's a wasted effort until someone wants to loan money again.]]> Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:21:58 -0400
So lower rates may be a good thing. But it's a wasted effort until someone wants to loan money again.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/96414-housing-rtc-2-0-will-not-fix-the-root-problem?source=feed#comment-259859 259859 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:48:00 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/94521-is-mccain-s-tax-plan-really-any-different-from-current-policy?source=feed#comment-249714 249714
The top 5% were supposed to use the money from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to drive the economy, create jobs, and all the other stuff the GOP said they'd do. As we all know, they didn't. The worst recovery in the history of the republic was financed by the middle class through credit card and home equity debt. The top 5% kept their money.

Since they did nothing with what we gave them, they need to give it back.]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:26:50 -0400
The top 5% were supposed to use the money from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to drive the economy, create jobs, and all the other stuff the GOP said they'd do. As we all know, they didn't. The worst recovery in the history of the republic was financed by the middle class through credit card and home equity debt. The top 5% kept their money.

Since they did nothing with what we gave them, they need to give it back.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94521-is-mccain-s-tax-plan-really-any-different-from-current-policy?source=feed#comment-249126 249126
As McCain's campaign manager said last week, the election for the Republicans cannot be on the issues. It must be on personality, on fresh faces, on images that have not bedrock in reality.

As mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin raised the sales tax, and left the town $13 million in debt. No one has mentioned McCain's membership in the Keating Five scandal in the 80's. A very good Google.

Bottom line, the word is getting out on the paucity of McCain's claims. Two weeks ago the empasis was on experience, now it's all about change. Next week it will be about 'beans' and the week after that 'peas'.

All I know is that had Republicans wanted that permanent majority they bragged about, they should have given the 2001 & 2003 tax cuts to the middle class instead of the rich.

And I honestly wouldn't be surprised if next week McCain said he'd change his tax cut policy to do just that.]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:50:20 -0400
As McCain's campaign manager said last week, the election for the Republicans cannot be on the issues. It must be on personality, on fresh faces, on images that have not bedrock in reality.

As mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin raised the sales tax, and left the town $13 million in debt. No one has mentioned McCain's membership in the Keating Five scandal in the 80's. A very good Google.

Bottom line, the word is getting out on the paucity of McCain's claims. Two weeks ago the empasis was on experience, now it's all about change. Next week it will be about 'beans' and the week after that 'peas'.

All I know is that had Republicans wanted that permanent majority they bragged about, they should have given the 2001 & 2003 tax cuts to the middle class instead of the rich.

And I honestly wouldn't be surprised if next week McCain said he'd change his tax cut policy to do just that.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/93599-more-on-buffett-pie-and-paying-for-tax-cuts?source=feed#comment-244445 244445
So let's allow the tax cuts to expire. I'm also with you in letting them expire on a staggered basis. However, I would shift them to households that make up to $250k/year. These are the households that will inject the money into the economy faster than their richer counterparts. The money won't sit in a bank or investment account. It will be spent locally and at national chains. It will help reduce household debt either directly, or by allowing other money to be put to pay down debt. As household balance sheets stabilize, the extra money will again start going into savings and investment accounts, because the middle class will need retirement money as well.

So shift the Bush tax cuts and let them expire in a staggered manner, perhaps with the last of the benefits ending in 2016. We need a burst of consumer spending at the middle class level right now that's not connected to a HELOC, or a credit card. ]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:20:48 -0400
So let's allow the tax cuts to expire. I'm also with you in letting them expire on a staggered basis. However, I would shift them to households that make up to $250k/year. These are the households that will inject the money into the economy faster than their richer counterparts. The money won't sit in a bank or investment account. It will be spent locally and at national chains. It will help reduce household debt either directly, or by allowing other money to be put to pay down debt. As household balance sheets stabilize, the extra money will again start going into savings and investment accounts, because the middle class will need retirement money as well.

So shift the Bush tax cuts and let them expire in a staggered manner, perhaps with the last of the benefits ending in 2016. We need a burst of consumer spending at the middle class level right now that's not connected to a HELOC, or a credit card. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/93429-which-improves-first-the-stock-market-or-the-economy?source=feed#comment-243099 243099
Personally I believe market bottom will largely coincide with a significant decrease in unsold housing inventories and a stabilization in commercial real estate. Household savings need to rebound, household credit balances need to decrease. Home values need to begin to rise again. When the middle class feels comfortable about spending money again, we'll get our recovery--which should coincide with a stock market rally. These are the things that will lead to a sustained recovery. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:08:59 -0400
Personally I believe market bottom will largely coincide with a significant decrease in unsold housing inventories and a stabilization in commercial real estate. Household savings need to rebound, household credit balances need to decrease. Home values need to begin to rise again. When the middle class feels comfortable about spending money again, we'll get our recovery--which should coincide with a stock market rally. These are the things that will lead to a sustained recovery. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/93285-real-disposable-income-up-in-q2?source=feed#comment-242202 242202
Hey Mark, you've got an advanced degree. Use it.]]> Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:42:05 -0400
Hey Mark, you've got an advanced degree. Use it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/92371-obama-is-bad-for-the-economy-barron-s?source=feed#comment-238553 238553
You're rehashing the same arguments for the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

We gave the top 1% a lot of money in 2001 and even more in 2003. Either they didn't spend it, OR they're not enough of them to run this economy in the way the political economists (that's a scary two words) assured us they would. They didn't even come close.

It's very clear that for the past 5 years our economy was driven by MIDDLE-CLASS consumer spending based on increased debt-whether it be credit card, HELOC or whatever.

It's clear that this has been the weakest recovery. Weakest job growth. Weakest period of consumer sentiment while in the midst of a "boom." Negative household savings. And the list goes on.

But it's been very strong in divisive political bombast, which is good for those that sell hot air.

Were the top 1% theory true, then we should have given the stimulus to the them instead of the middle class, right? We gave the money to the middle class because we knew they'd spend it, and quickly at that. Were household debt not so high I'd imagine they'd have spent more of the stimulus.

We do need to keep taxes low, and fair.

But the past 8 years have allowed us to see how supply-side economics really works. It has been proven that it's a tactic for temporary revival of the economy and a very effective political tool. It is not a rational grand strategy for managing the republic.

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:19:07 -0400
You're rehashing the same arguments for the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

We gave the top 1% a lot of money in 2001 and even more in 2003. Either they didn't spend it, OR they're not enough of them to run this economy in the way the political economists (that's a scary two words) assured us they would. They didn't even come close.

It's very clear that for the past 5 years our economy was driven by MIDDLE-CLASS consumer spending based on increased debt-whether it be credit card, HELOC or whatever.

It's clear that this has been the weakest recovery. Weakest job growth. Weakest period of consumer sentiment while in the midst of a "boom." Negative household savings. And the list goes on.

But it's been very strong in divisive political bombast, which is good for those that sell hot air.

Were the top 1% theory true, then we should have given the stimulus to the them instead of the middle class, right? We gave the money to the middle class because we knew they'd spend it, and quickly at that. Were household debt not so high I'd imagine they'd have spent more of the stimulus.

We do need to keep taxes low, and fair.

But the past 8 years have allowed us to see how supply-side economics really works. It has been proven that it's a tactic for temporary revival of the economy and a very effective political tool. It is not a rational grand strategy for managing the republic.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/91871-will-gm-s-volt-change-history?source=feed#comment-235573 235573 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:09:20 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/91202-four-reasons-we-can-t-call-it-a-recession-yet?source=feed#comment-231792 231792
It's also clear the "boom" we came out of was based on all the things we tell our kids not to do--don't waste your money, don't borrow money you'll need later, don't buy things simply because it's on TV, don't live beyond your means.

I'll give you the war of semantics. The rest of us, unfortunately, are losing the war on reality.]]> Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:55:12 -0400
It's also clear the "boom" we came out of was based on all the things we tell our kids not to do--don't waste your money, don't borrow money you'll need later, don't buy things simply because it's on TV, don't live beyond your means.

I'll give you the war of semantics. The rest of us, unfortunately, are losing the war on reality.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/90772-do-we-need-an-alternative-energy-manhattan-project?source=feed#comment-230250 230250
Obama wouldn't make things an alternative fuel nirvana, either. I believe he's a bit more pragmatic than the media and "the spin" would allow you to think. I think he'd start to link oil company subsidies to R&D into new fuels. We know he'd adopt some form of cap an trade, hopefully something better than the Euros have.

Most of all I think an Obama administration would set a tone of entreprenurial development. ]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:19:14 -0400
Obama wouldn't make things an alternative fuel nirvana, either. I believe he's a bit more pragmatic than the media and "the spin" would allow you to think. I think he'd start to link oil company subsidies to R&D into new fuels. We know he'd adopt some form of cap an trade, hopefully something better than the Euros have.

Most of all I think an Obama administration would set a tone of entreprenurial development. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/89463-new-vehicle-fuel-consumption-could-be-cut-by-30-or-more?source=feed#comment-225374 225374
Maybe you're not a car person. If that's true, it's fine. Not that being a car person is the be-all end-all. But it is fun and enjoyable to track all the changes come new model year.

But are you following my point? Use hybrid, batteries and fuel cell technology to power the cars and trucks we're used to today. Saturn uses lightweight body panels. Use them and other new body cladding technology; especially on trucks. They need to save on weight for the heavier and firmer frames they require.

The new Tesla goes 0-60 in under 6 seconds. And it's a great looking roadster. And it doesn't use gasoline. The BMW Hydrogen 7 has over 1 million miles of road testing to date. It's as plush a ride as any other 7 Series car you could find in a dealer lot. But it's byproduct is water instead of hydrocarbons. Porsche has a hybrid Cayenne coming out. I'm sure that one will be powerful and spacious. The current Tahoe hybrid can tow 3 tons.

All I'm saying is to use the technology we have to ease the transition to full implementation. Don't make the mistake of the 70's and try to force boring but economical vehicles down our throats. If you don't care about what car you drive, there will be someone making something like that as well. But for those of us who pay attention, and want to do right by Mother Nature, don't try to shoehorn us into econoboxes.



]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:52:58 -0400
Maybe you're not a car person. If that's true, it's fine. Not that being a car person is the be-all end-all. But it is fun and enjoyable to track all the changes come new model year.

But are you following my point? Use hybrid, batteries and fuel cell technology to power the cars and trucks we're used to today. Saturn uses lightweight body panels. Use them and other new body cladding technology; especially on trucks. They need to save on weight for the heavier and firmer frames they require.

The new Tesla goes 0-60 in under 6 seconds. And it's a great looking roadster. And it doesn't use gasoline. The BMW Hydrogen 7 has over 1 million miles of road testing to date. It's as plush a ride as any other 7 Series car you could find in a dealer lot. But it's byproduct is water instead of hydrocarbons. Porsche has a hybrid Cayenne coming out. I'm sure that one will be powerful and spacious. The current Tahoe hybrid can tow 3 tons.

All I'm saying is to use the technology we have to ease the transition to full implementation. Don't make the mistake of the 70's and try to force boring but economical vehicles down our throats. If you don't care about what car you drive, there will be someone making something like that as well. But for those of us who pay attention, and want to do right by Mother Nature, don't try to shoehorn us into econoboxes.



]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/89463-new-vehicle-fuel-consumption-could-be-cut-by-30-or-more?source=feed#comment-224876 224876
"However, this will require not just developing improved and new engines, vehicles and fuels, but also convincing people that they don’t need to buy bigger, faster cars."

When will greenies understand that once they make these new cars look sexy and go fast, they'll have customers lining up around the block? Same with trucks. People will flock to a good looking hybrid truck that could pull a 2000 lb load up a steep grade.

Americans have the expertise, design skills, and consumer marketing savvy to be able design vehicles people want to drive; while at the same time "saving the planet" and lessening our dependence on oil. I would say that if the econobox car or truck becomes the standard, then we've already sowed the seeds of failure.

I say that based on our experience of driving the butt-ugly but economical cars of the late-70's and into the 80's. The Pinto, the Horizon, the K-Car, the Fiesta, etc. The 55 mile an hour speed limit wasn't so bad, because these cars couldn't do much over 60. They saved gas, but once the price of oil started dropping, Americans ran from those plague cars and went to vehicles that were stylish, fast, and could haul a decent payload.

If we want these new technologies to stick, then we need to continue to have cars do 0-60 in 6 seconds or less, SUV's that can haul entire childrens' soccer teams, and trucks that are as big as Indian elephants. I'm kind of overstating the size thing. Speed wise, it wasn't surprising that Al Gore's kid got arrested in a high speed chase. What surprised us was that he did it in a Prius. The whole thing let us know that that a car shaped like a human foot could consistently do over 100 mph.

Automakers should remember that people want to own a vehicle they can be proud of overall, not just because it "saves the planet" alone. We like styling. We like to be able to stick our foot in it and blow the doors of stupid drivers. We own large boats and would like to tow them to the lake or ocean. There are examples out there, like the Tesla, the BMW Hydrogen 7, the electric Mini that's coming in a couple of years, and Chevy's Tahoe SUV.

Keep it up and we'll buy them. Make them ugly and impractical, and people will flee them as soon as it's feasible.


]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:13:24 -0400
"However, this will require not just developing improved and new engines, vehicles and fuels, but also convincing people that they don’t need to buy bigger, faster cars."

When will greenies understand that once they make these new cars look sexy and go fast, they'll have customers lining up around the block? Same with trucks. People will flock to a good looking hybrid truck that could pull a 2000 lb load up a steep grade.

Americans have the expertise, design skills, and consumer marketing savvy to be able design vehicles people want to drive; while at the same time "saving the planet" and lessening our dependence on oil. I would say that if the econobox car or truck becomes the standard, then we've already sowed the seeds of failure.

I say that based on our experience of driving the butt-ugly but economical cars of the late-70's and into the 80's. The Pinto, the Horizon, the K-Car, the Fiesta, etc. The 55 mile an hour speed limit wasn't so bad, because these cars couldn't do much over 60. They saved gas, but once the price of oil started dropping, Americans ran from those plague cars and went to vehicles that were stylish, fast, and could haul a decent payload.

If we want these new technologies to stick, then we need to continue to have cars do 0-60 in 6 seconds or less, SUV's that can haul entire childrens' soccer teams, and trucks that are as big as Indian elephants. I'm kind of overstating the size thing. Speed wise, it wasn't surprising that Al Gore's kid got arrested in a high speed chase. What surprised us was that he did it in a Prius. The whole thing let us know that that a car shaped like a human foot could consistently do over 100 mph.

Automakers should remember that people want to own a vehicle they can be proud of overall, not just because it "saves the planet" alone. We like styling. We like to be able to stick our foot in it and blow the doors of stupid drivers. We own large boats and would like to tow them to the lake or ocean. There are examples out there, like the Tesla, the BMW Hydrogen 7, the electric Mini that's coming in a couple of years, and Chevy's Tahoe SUV.

Keep it up and we'll buy them. Make them ugly and impractical, and people will flee them as soon as it's feasible.


]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/86400-more-bad-news-for-the-anti-ethanol-crowd?source=feed#comment-212192 212192 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:35:28 -0400