Howard_T's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/238892/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/177702-global-transaction-tax-taxation-without-representation?source=feed#comment-801842 801842
Is it time yet to dump the bankers into Boston Harbor? Other than the bankers, the only people who might object are those in the EPA. They don't want any more pollution in the harbor.]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:59:17 -0500
Is it time yet to dump the bankers into Boston Harbor? Other than the bankers, the only people who might object are those in the EPA. They don't want any more pollution in the harbor.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177396-jim-rogers-lessons-from-a-legend?source=feed#comment-800220 800220
It appears that several of the commenters believe the MBA is most useful as a networking tool. This is likely true when it comes to gaining initial employment or changing employers. As far as job performance goes, the MBA is no indicator of excellence. Over my last 15 years or so in the engineering profession, I was increasingly subjected to direction by finance people, many of whom had MBAs. A few of them were also equipped with eyes and ears and a brain, and thus were able to understand the solid engineering principles behind what we engineers attempted to do. These guys were gold! Some MBAs tried to cut us short on funds or manpower in an effort to hold the "bottom line". The best of these figured out that it cost more in the long run (due to lengthened schedules and unavailability of critical equipment, for example) than giving us what we needed when we needed it would have cost. I will admit that many engineers are prone to padding the requirements, but reasonable parties can find the middle ground. The final category of MBA was the type that forced his financial opinion onto the engineers, compressing schedules, cutting budget, keeping critical skill positions from being filled, and generally getting in the way. We engineers had a clever way of dealing with that. It was known as finding another project with better management, and transferring. Our higher management was astute enough to recognize what was going on when a lot of transfer requests began to come out of one program. The usual result was a finance guy and a program manager looking for another program to screw up, and the engineers getting down to what they do best.

To sum it up, the MBA is useful on the job only when it is accompanied by the ability to see the whole situation, understand what is going on, and being able to work with others toward the common end. Of course, anyone with those attributes will be successful, MBA or not; he just will have a more difficult time getting hired without the MBA.]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:59:18 -0500
It appears that several of the commenters believe the MBA is most useful as a networking tool. This is likely true when it comes to gaining initial employment or changing employers. As far as job performance goes, the MBA is no indicator of excellence. Over my last 15 years or so in the engineering profession, I was increasingly subjected to direction by finance people, many of whom had MBAs. A few of them were also equipped with eyes and ears and a brain, and thus were able to understand the solid engineering principles behind what we engineers attempted to do. These guys were gold! Some MBAs tried to cut us short on funds or manpower in an effort to hold the "bottom line". The best of these figured out that it cost more in the long run (due to lengthened schedules and unavailability of critical equipment, for example) than giving us what we needed when we needed it would have cost. I will admit that many engineers are prone to padding the requirements, but reasonable parties can find the middle ground. The final category of MBA was the type that forced his financial opinion onto the engineers, compressing schedules, cutting budget, keeping critical skill positions from being filled, and generally getting in the way. We engineers had a clever way of dealing with that. It was known as finding another project with better management, and transferring. Our higher management was astute enough to recognize what was going on when a lot of transfer requests began to come out of one program. The usual result was a finance guy and a program manager looking for another program to screw up, and the engineers getting down to what they do best.

To sum it up, the MBA is useful on the job only when it is accompanied by the ability to see the whole situation, understand what is going on, and being able to work with others toward the common end. Of course, anyone with those attributes will be successful, MBA or not; he just will have a more difficult time getting hired without the MBA.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177314-head-of-california-s-cap-and-trade-offsets-program-it-s-a-scam?source=feed#comment-798581 798581 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:18:50 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176815-ethanol-amongst-america-s-most-misguided-public-policies?source=feed#comment-794592 794592 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:49:05 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176664-the-costs-of-not-fixing-a-broken-financial-system?source=feed#comment-792660 792660 Bailouts of GM and Chrysler: Majority unfavorable.
First Obama Stimulus Plan: Generally found inadequate or worse and not favored by the majority.
Current Health Care legislation: Majority of voters is against it.
Cap and Trade: Businesses and individuals believe it will be an economic disaster.

All of the above are disliked by the American public, yet the current administration persists in trying to push its agenda. If real reform is not soon forthcoming from those currently in office, the pitchfork and torch method of reform will soon follow. This of course is not a good thing, as the tendency of a hungry mob is to burn down the bakery. The first chance we will have at real change will be in 11 months. Let's not waste it.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:28:27 -0500 Bailouts of GM and Chrysler: Majority unfavorable.
First Obama Stimulus Plan: Generally found inadequate or worse and not favored by the majority.
Current Health Care legislation: Majority of voters is against it.
Cap and Trade: Businesses and individuals believe it will be an economic disaster.

All of the above are disliked by the American public, yet the current administration persists in trying to push its agenda. If real reform is not soon forthcoming from those currently in office, the pitchfork and torch method of reform will soon follow. This of course is not a good thing, as the tendency of a hungry mob is to burn down the bakery. The first chance we will have at real change will be in 11 months. Let's not waste it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175607-lithium-ion-batteries-and-gevs-false-gods-for-the-new-millennium?source=feed#comment-783033 783033
By the way, your metaphor of the US environmental and energy movement being the equivalent of a religion is exactly the argument I need to rebut some of my ardent environmentalist friends. I hope you don't mind if I use it.]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:16:24 -0500
By the way, your metaphor of the US environmental and energy movement being the equivalent of a religion is exactly the argument I need to rebut some of my ardent environmentalist friends. I hope you don't mind if I use it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/175273-boeing-s-747-dreamliner-and-cds-equity-ratio?source=feed#comment-777650 777650
Mr. Delaney, you need to spend a lot more time learning something about aircraft before you write articles such as the above. I'll give you a pass on the headline, since it was likely not your error. By the way, the move of Boeing's corporate headquarters to Chicago was for two reasons. First, it is closer to the military aircraft operations, the former McDonnell-Douglas plants in St. Louis. Second, Seattle is too remote from any of the major financial markets. Boeing still maintains its research and development center in Seattle, as well as the manufacturing facilities in Everett and Renton.]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:46:18 -0500
Mr. Delaney, you need to spend a lot more time learning something about aircraft before you write articles such as the above. I'll give you a pass on the headline, since it was likely not your error. By the way, the move of Boeing's corporate headquarters to Chicago was for two reasons. First, it is closer to the military aircraft operations, the former McDonnell-Douglas plants in St. Louis. Second, Seattle is too remote from any of the major financial markets. Boeing still maintains its research and development center in Seattle, as well as the manufacturing facilities in Everett and Renton.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174996-deficit-spending-the-emperor-s-children-also-have-no-clothes?source=feed#comment-775505 775505 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:36:59 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/174898-whatever-happened-to-those-ethanol-companies?source=feed#comment-775461 775461
>Ethanol was heavily promoted by BUSH. I'll grant you Obama did not "kill" it, >being from a corn state, but put the blame where it belongs.

Tom, please give us a link to any writings about "heavy promotion" of ethanol by the Bush administration. As I remember, ethanol was indeed promoted during the Bush years, but not heavily, nor particularly by the administration. Rather, it was by the agribusiness firms who were looking to drive the markets. Of course Obama didn't kill ethanol. During the run-up to the Iowa primary, he was being carried around on a corporate aircraft thoughtfully provided by Archer Daniels Midland. Where do you think he stood on ethanol? Obama was bought and paid for by the corn ethanol interests, but the realities of production and demand have greatly reduced its use.]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:15:01 -0500
>Ethanol was heavily promoted by BUSH. I'll grant you Obama did not "kill" it, >being from a corn state, but put the blame where it belongs.

Tom, please give us a link to any writings about "heavy promotion" of ethanol by the Bush administration. As I remember, ethanol was indeed promoted during the Bush years, but not heavily, nor particularly by the administration. Rather, it was by the agribusiness firms who were looking to drive the markets. Of course Obama didn't kill ethanol. During the run-up to the Iowa primary, he was being carried around on a corporate aircraft thoughtfully provided by Archer Daniels Midland. Where do you think he stood on ethanol? Obama was bought and paid for by the corn ethanol interests, but the realities of production and demand have greatly reduced its use.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174085-how-the-aig-bailout-scuttles-the-chance-for-a-second-stimulus?source=feed#comment-765779 765779 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:14:01 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173408-discretion-and-financial-regulation-always-doing-the-wrong-thing?source=feed#comment-762443 762443 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:15:40 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172395-obama-s-fiscal-stimulus-has-saved-jobs?source=feed#comment-754263 754263 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:42:00 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172262-the-unsustainable-lie-of-inflation?source=feed#comment-754249 754249
I think most of us know why coins have milled edges. It is to prevent the dishonest person from shaving the edge of the coin to debase its value. When coins were really made of precious metals, this was a serious matter. Now the coinage is made of nothing more than nearly worthless metal. Just think of the dimes in your pocket as being a lot smaller than they used to be when they were really silver. Likewise, at one time you had a dollar bill that said it could be redeemed for a dollar's worth of silver which was referred to as "lawful currency". I guess that's all you have to know about what a Federal Reserve Note represents - Unlawful paper.]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:31:39 -0500
I think most of us know why coins have milled edges. It is to prevent the dishonest person from shaving the edge of the coin to debase its value. When coins were really made of precious metals, this was a serious matter. Now the coinage is made of nothing more than nearly worthless metal. Just think of the dimes in your pocket as being a lot smaller than they used to be when they were really silver. Likewise, at one time you had a dollar bill that said it could be redeemed for a dollar's worth of silver which was referred to as "lawful currency". I guess that's all you have to know about what a Federal Reserve Note represents - Unlawful paper.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171784-senator-schumer-misses-the-full-picture-on-a-power-s-joint-texas-wind-farm?source=feed#comment-748568 748568 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:39:34 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170862-is-too-big-to-fail-now-too-big-to-exist?source=feed#comment-742631 742631
If the mega-banks are not broken up, remember this: Even Tyrannosaurus Rex was too big to fail, and we all know what happened to the dinosaurs.]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:23:25 -0500
If the mega-banks are not broken up, remember this: Even Tyrannosaurus Rex was too big to fail, and we all know what happened to the dinosaurs.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/165468-political-will-for-reform-and-the-concept-of-corporate-communism?source=feed#comment-708904 708904 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:56:47 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/164452-recession-is-over-depression-has-just-begun?source=feed#comment-700049 700049
More government spending comes with one huge stipulation: the spending must be targeted, intelligently planned, and diligently regulated. Any unnecessary spending must be curtailed. As a start, forget any ideas of health care reform or energy cap-and-trade taxes. These can be left for later, although immediate action to begin work toward reducing the cost of health care (that is, how much it costs to see the doctor, not how much you pay for insurance) can start immediately.

Targeting of spending means putting the money directly into the hands of those who can use it to develop the economy and create jobs. Propping up state and local governments, while not an entirely bad idea, does little to create jobs and can be left for later. In the meantime, the states should be allowed to operate at a deficit, issuing bonds to keep them going, and make up the debt with increased income and fiscal austerity once tax revenues have come back. The money needs to be placed in the hands of small and medium-size businesses, in the form of grants or low-interest loans, to allow these businesses to expand, innovate, develop new products, and put people to work. Bailing out an already sick industry is not the answer. We see now that Chrysler will not be able to introduce new models based on Fiat products for several years. We also see that GM has not been successful in selling the Saturn brand, and will now abandon it. Despite the bailouts, the ship continues to the bottom. Spending does not have to be in the form of cash or credit. One of the most effective things that could be done is to revise the federal tax code to ease the burden on business, stop penalizing the re-investment of profits, and make it more attractive to keep one's manufacturing operations in the US.

Regulation simply means forcing those who benefit from federal spending to give an honest and accurate accounting of where it goes. Here I'm looking directly at the financial industry. It's too late to stop the creation of the mega-banks that has happened over the last few decades, and was accelerated by the government-assisted mergers of the last 2 years. What can be done is to force these large institutions, and indeed all financial institutions, to separate their banking, financial services, and brokerage operations. Ownership of such operations can continue under the existing corporate heads, but tall and stout firewalls would need to be put in place to prevent abuses such as the the banking operation placing depositors money into questionable financial products sold by the brokerage arm. Restoration of Glass-Steagle, perhaps with some updates to account for technology, would be the obvious start.

I am not an economist, nor am I involved with the financial industry in any way other than as a customer. I am a retired engineer living on my wife's small income, a pension, social security, and savings. In the meantime, I'm putting a kid through college. My debt load is low; if I were forced into it, I could pay it off tomorrow without real hardship. What little I know about finance I learned from my father, who worked for many years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. I write the above as one who thinks that common sense has been abandoned in the corridors of government, greed and insensitivity have become the watchwords of the financial elites, and despair is increasing among those of us who are at their mercy. So please, Mr. Harrison, keep your ideas flowing, but please temper them with common sense.]]> Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:28:41 -0400
More government spending comes with one huge stipulation: the spending must be targeted, intelligently planned, and diligently regulated. Any unnecessary spending must be curtailed. As a start, forget any ideas of health care reform or energy cap-and-trade taxes. These can be left for later, although immediate action to begin work toward reducing the cost of health care (that is, how much it costs to see the doctor, not how much you pay for insurance) can start immediately.

Targeting of spending means putting the money directly into the hands of those who can use it to develop the economy and create jobs. Propping up state and local governments, while not an entirely bad idea, does little to create jobs and can be left for later. In the meantime, the states should be allowed to operate at a deficit, issuing bonds to keep them going, and make up the debt with increased income and fiscal austerity once tax revenues have come back. The money needs to be placed in the hands of small and medium-size businesses, in the form of grants or low-interest loans, to allow these businesses to expand, innovate, develop new products, and put people to work. Bailing out an already sick industry is not the answer. We see now that Chrysler will not be able to introduce new models based on Fiat products for several years. We also see that GM has not been successful in selling the Saturn brand, and will now abandon it. Despite the bailouts, the ship continues to the bottom. Spending does not have to be in the form of cash or credit. One of the most effective things that could be done is to revise the federal tax code to ease the burden on business, stop penalizing the re-investment of profits, and make it more attractive to keep one's manufacturing operations in the US.

Regulation simply means forcing those who benefit from federal spending to give an honest and accurate accounting of where it goes. Here I'm looking directly at the financial industry. It's too late to stop the creation of the mega-banks that has happened over the last few decades, and was accelerated by the government-assisted mergers of the last 2 years. What can be done is to force these large institutions, and indeed all financial institutions, to separate their banking, financial services, and brokerage operations. Ownership of such operations can continue under the existing corporate heads, but tall and stout firewalls would need to be put in place to prevent abuses such as the the banking operation placing depositors money into questionable financial products sold by the brokerage arm. Restoration of Glass-Steagle, perhaps with some updates to account for technology, would be the obvious start.

I am not an economist, nor am I involved with the financial industry in any way other than as a customer. I am a retired engineer living on my wife's small income, a pension, social security, and savings. In the meantime, I'm putting a kid through college. My debt load is low; if I were forced into it, I could pay it off tomorrow without real hardship. What little I know about finance I learned from my father, who worked for many years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. I write the above as one who thinks that common sense has been abandoned in the corridors of government, greed and insensitivity have become the watchwords of the financial elites, and despair is increasing among those of us who are at their mercy. So please, Mr. Harrison, keep your ideas flowing, but please temper them with common sense.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/162402-electricity-is-not-an-energy-source?source=feed#comment-685279 685279
Mr. Evslin, you have done a very good job here of pointing out the economic facts of life and some effective ways of dealing with them. We who live next door to you here in NH also benefit from Hydro-Quebec, as well as the nuclear plant at Seabrook, NH. Unfortunately, our primary source of power is a coal-fired plant in Bow, NH, that the environmentalists have been trying to shut down for years. Should they succeed, or should the Obama energy tax plan become law, we in NH are in for some frighteningly high electricity costs. The Seabrook nuclear plant will need to be refueled and re-licensed before long, and if this is held up or denied, and Hydro-Quebec no longer is able or willing to supply energy from Canada, I may soon be heating with wood, lighting with oil lamps, and cooking on my propane grill.]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:04:23 -0400
Mr. Evslin, you have done a very good job here of pointing out the economic facts of life and some effective ways of dealing with them. We who live next door to you here in NH also benefit from Hydro-Quebec, as well as the nuclear plant at Seabrook, NH. Unfortunately, our primary source of power is a coal-fired plant in Bow, NH, that the environmentalists have been trying to shut down for years. Should they succeed, or should the Obama energy tax plan become law, we in NH are in for some frighteningly high electricity costs. The Seabrook nuclear plant will need to be refueled and re-licensed before long, and if this is held up or denied, and Hydro-Quebec no longer is able or willing to supply energy from Canada, I may soon be heating with wood, lighting with oil lamps, and cooking on my propane grill.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/161587-obama-s-financial-reform-a-distraction-from-the-real-issues?source=feed#comment-679149 679149
Obviously, I jest with the above. Too big to fail equates to being too big to exist. Reinstate Glass-Steagall and force all banks, regardless of size to break themselves up into separate brokerage houses and banks. These may be held under the same parent company, but must have completely independent management and direction. Abolish companies that do nothing but lend money to consumers. If any sort of fraud does occur, then punish it with fines and jail time (and not in a country club prison).

Obama's near-daily address is designed for more than one purpose. That is to keep his image of the beloved leader always before the public and to continually distract us from the ever-increasing shadow government he is carefully putting into place. (Check out the number of "czars" who were not appointed through the constitutionally required process of advice and consent, but have full authority to make and enforce decisions within their departments.)]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:59:29 -0400
Obviously, I jest with the above. Too big to fail equates to being too big to exist. Reinstate Glass-Steagall and force all banks, regardless of size to break themselves up into separate brokerage houses and banks. These may be held under the same parent company, but must have completely independent management and direction. Abolish companies that do nothing but lend money to consumers. If any sort of fraud does occur, then punish it with fines and jail time (and not in a country club prison).

Obama's near-daily address is designed for more than one purpose. That is to keep his image of the beloved leader always before the public and to continually distract us from the ever-increasing shadow government he is carefully putting into place. (Check out the number of "czars" who were not appointed through the constitutionally required process of advice and consent, but have full authority to make and enforce decisions within their departments.)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/161279-social-security-here-s-how-to-extend-the-fund-s-life?source=feed#comment-675678 675678 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:28:40 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/161001-what-s-the-u-s-s-energy-policy?source=feed#comment-672574 672574
1. Move to a 10-acre woodlot.
2. Build a windmill and hook it to a generator.
3. Put in a solar array and hook it to another generator.
4. On days when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing cut some of your wood, build a campfire, and huddle around it.
5. When the Carbon Police show up, pay the hefty fine with worthless dollars.]]> Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:39:25 -0400
1. Move to a 10-acre woodlot.
2. Build a windmill and hook it to a generator.
3. Put in a solar array and hook it to another generator.
4. On days when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing cut some of your wood, build a campfire, and huddle around it.
5. When the Carbon Police show up, pay the hefty fine with worthless dollars.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/160779-chinese-demand-leads-to-soaring-lead-prices?source=feed#comment-672564 672564 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:30:34 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/159737-are-budget-deficits-inflationary?source=feed#comment-663245 663245
Mr. McTeer cites Prof. Waller as saying that in a deep recession, the printing of money will not be inflationary because it will be used to increase production, and thus employment. This might have been true in the '60s, but now there is a much reduced industrial base to produce those goods. Could it be automobiles? That would be a great stimulant to the economies of Japan, Germany, and South Korea. How about aircraft? In view of greatly reduced travel, and thus demand for new aircraft, that won't carry us. Also, look at how much of Boeing's 787 (and even some of their legacy aircraft) is being built overseas and merely taken to final assembly in Everett, WA. I don't believe that there is a manufacturing sector that has not been weakened, or even eliminated, by foreign competition. Simply enough, unless American workers are willing to settle for a lot less in their paychecks, or the government is willing to risk international retaliation and begin protecting our industries as our so-called trading partners do, the current monetary policies are sure to cause inflation.

Will we become a modern day Weimar Republic? I don't think it will go that far, but there will be pain among those of us who have worked and saved, only to have it taken away by the dual forces of taxation and inflation.]]> Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:51:15 -0400
Mr. McTeer cites Prof. Waller as saying that in a deep recession, the printing of money will not be inflationary because it will be used to increase production, and thus employment. This might have been true in the '60s, but now there is a much reduced industrial base to produce those goods. Could it be automobiles? That would be a great stimulant to the economies of Japan, Germany, and South Korea. How about aircraft? In view of greatly reduced travel, and thus demand for new aircraft, that won't carry us. Also, look at how much of Boeing's 787 (and even some of their legacy aircraft) is being built overseas and merely taken to final assembly in Everett, WA. I don't believe that there is a manufacturing sector that has not been weakened, or even eliminated, by foreign competition. Simply enough, unless American workers are willing to settle for a lot less in their paychecks, or the government is willing to risk international retaliation and begin protecting our industries as our so-called trading partners do, the current monetary policies are sure to cause inflation.

Will we become a modern day Weimar Republic? I don't think it will go that far, but there will be pain among those of us who have worked and saved, only to have it taken away by the dual forces of taxation and inflation.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159522-5-things-you-need-to-know-when-analyzing-corporate-debt?source=feed#comment-658688 658688
When you look at R & D, the situation is worse. Now you haven't even got a contract, but you have to pay your engineers and scientists. The next time you want to scream about why the government has to pay so much for military hardware, consider "the cost of the money".]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:45:51 -0400
When you look at R & D, the situation is worse. Now you haven't even got a contract, but you have to pay your engineers and scientists. The next time you want to scream about why the government has to pay so much for military hardware, consider "the cost of the money".]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159355-the-non-stimulating-stimulus-bill?source=feed#comment-656745 656745
The addition of the buses will mean that the companies involved will be able to hire 4 or 5 new drivers. Let's think about that for a moment. 4 or 5 new jobs at the cost of $2M; that equates to $400K or $500K per job. It would seem to me that it would be a better idea to find 4 or 5 entrepreneurs, lend each of them the $400K or $500K at a low interest rate for a long term, let them each buy a reliable used bus, and go into the business. I would bet that it wouldn't be too long before their business had grown (in the absence of excessive government interference and taxation) to the point where each of them had been able to buy another bus or 2 and hire more drivers. That is what the stimulus should have been, but instead it winds up paying for increased bureaucracy and providing minimal benefit.

Much of the criticism of the stimulus plan is the few jobs that have been saved (not created) all seem to lie in the public sector at the state and local level (police, fire, teachers, etc.). While these are certainly necessary and beneficial, there is no real impact upon the economy. For those who decry the lack of job creation, the plan is designed to have its maximum impact in 2010. Gee, that's odd. There's an election in 2010. Am I the only one who sees a connection here?]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:29:40 -0400
The addition of the buses will mean that the companies involved will be able to hire 4 or 5 new drivers. Let's think about that for a moment. 4 or 5 new jobs at the cost of $2M; that equates to $400K or $500K per job. It would seem to me that it would be a better idea to find 4 or 5 entrepreneurs, lend each of them the $400K or $500K at a low interest rate for a long term, let them each buy a reliable used bus, and go into the business. I would bet that it wouldn't be too long before their business had grown (in the absence of excessive government interference and taxation) to the point where each of them had been able to buy another bus or 2 and hire more drivers. That is what the stimulus should have been, but instead it winds up paying for increased bureaucracy and providing minimal benefit.

Much of the criticism of the stimulus plan is the few jobs that have been saved (not created) all seem to lie in the public sector at the state and local level (police, fire, teachers, etc.). While these are certainly necessary and beneficial, there is no real impact upon the economy. For those who decry the lack of job creation, the plan is designed to have its maximum impact in 2010. Gee, that's odd. There's an election in 2010. Am I the only one who sees a connection here?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159103-experts-claim-2m-jobs-created-in-august-i-m-skeptical?source=feed#comment-655052 655052
doubleguns, you may have stumbled upon a truly valid indicator of the state of the economy in the "undercover cash" sector of drugs, prostitution, and the like. It would be quite fascinating to be able to have enough data to form a valid metric here.]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:49:26 -0400
doubleguns, you may have stumbled upon a truly valid indicator of the state of the economy in the "undercover cash" sector of drugs, prostitution, and the like. It would be quite fascinating to be able to have enough data to form a valid metric here.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/158966-major-banks-now-much-too-big-to-fail?source=feed#comment-653278 653278 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:09:44 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/158620-healthcare-education-two-reasons-to-worry-about-america-s-future?source=feed#comment-649433 649433
The problem is worse for school-age kids. If you don't pack a lunch for your kid, he or she eats in the cafeteria. What rational kid opts for the fresh green salad over the pizza slice? With two working parents, nobody is home in the afternoon, so the kid is turned over to an after school program. Here there is more "baby sitting", but little of the "how was your day, what did you talk about in school, do you have any homework, do you need help" sort of interaction between parent and child. Today, mom or dad picks the kid up from the day care or after school program, hurries home, parks the kid in front of the great electronic brain numbing machine, and proceeds to defrost dinner. After dinner in some households there might be an hour or two for "family time", but it isn't a guarantee, what with mom or dad's meetings, social gatherings, or the kids' athletic practices or other such lessons.

Teachers no longer have the time to work with kids after school. They are now burdened with paperwork, progress reporting, updating their qualification statements, and taking mandatory training. Staying after school for the kids, either for disciplinary reasons or to get extra work done, is not possible in areas where the children are bused over any distance. Once the bus is gone, you are on your own for transportation. Mom or dad can't come get you; they can't take the time off. In my youth the teachers would sometimes offer a ride home to the kids. Try that now, and teacher is being disciplined for some potential dire harm that could come to the child.

My wife works in special education, and I hear the stories daily from just her one elementary school. They usually leave me shaking my head in sorrow or disbelief, but occasionally leave me shaking with anger at the stupidity of the bureaucracy or the negligent attitudes of the parents.

Let's face it; our entire culture has changed in the past half-century. The "good, old days" are not coming back. Until you can come up with solutions to the things I have ranted about above, you will not cure the problems of poor health maintenance and education. Oh, by the way, don't let the Federal Government anywhere near the problem. Give the cities and towns more leeway in fixing their own problems, reward them for good performance, and see where this might take us. Above all, get private industry involved. I don't have any answers, but I'm sure that there are many who do.]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:40:01 -0400
The problem is worse for school-age kids. If you don't pack a lunch for your kid, he or she eats in the cafeteria. What rational kid opts for the fresh green salad over the pizza slice? With two working parents, nobody is home in the afternoon, so the kid is turned over to an after school program. Here there is more "baby sitting", but little of the "how was your day, what did you talk about in school, do you have any homework, do you need help" sort of interaction between parent and child. Today, mom or dad picks the kid up from the day care or after school program, hurries home, parks the kid in front of the great electronic brain numbing machine, and proceeds to defrost dinner. After dinner in some households there might be an hour or two for "family time", but it isn't a guarantee, what with mom or dad's meetings, social gatherings, or the kids' athletic practices or other such lessons.

Teachers no longer have the time to work with kids after school. They are now burdened with paperwork, progress reporting, updating their qualification statements, and taking mandatory training. Staying after school for the kids, either for disciplinary reasons or to get extra work done, is not possible in areas where the children are bused over any distance. Once the bus is gone, you are on your own for transportation. Mom or dad can't come get you; they can't take the time off. In my youth the teachers would sometimes offer a ride home to the kids. Try that now, and teacher is being disciplined for some potential dire harm that could come to the child.

My wife works in special education, and I hear the stories daily from just her one elementary school. They usually leave me shaking my head in sorrow or disbelief, but occasionally leave me shaking with anger at the stupidity of the bureaucracy or the negligent attitudes of the parents.

Let's face it; our entire culture has changed in the past half-century. The "good, old days" are not coming back. Until you can come up with solutions to the things I have ranted about above, you will not cure the problems of poor health maintenance and education. Oh, by the way, don't let the Federal Government anywhere near the problem. Give the cities and towns more leeway in fixing their own problems, reward them for good performance, and see where this might take us. Above all, get private industry involved. I don't have any answers, but I'm sure that there are many who do.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/157442-cash-for-clunkers-coming-soon-to-your-kitchen-and-laundry-room?source=feed#comment-640169 640169
More rebates so we can finance more debt? All I can say is, "If you know you are going to drown, at least enjoy the boat ride."]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:44:50 -0400
More rebates so we can finance more debt? All I can say is, "If you know you are going to drown, at least enjoy the boat ride."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/157275-obama-to-reduce-budget-deficit-on-fewer-than-expected-bank-failures?source=feed#comment-638149 638149 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:50:37 -0400