bigmoney's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/243907/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/167165-verizon-s-droid-is-the-real-deal?source=feed#comment-719447 719447
Awesome screen resolution + android + physical keyboard + verizon = MOAP (mother of all phones)]]> Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:22:35 -0400
Awesome screen resolution + android + physical keyboard + verizon = MOAP (mother of all phones)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166253-401ks-aren-t-the-problem?source=feed#comment-714872 714872
The problem with 401k's may be that they expect layman to really understand finance. And they disguise their products. In the old days my choices included "high growth". Who doesn't want high growth? But that was a euphamism for NASDAQ, which collapsed around 2001.]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:47:48 -0400
The problem with 401k's may be that they expect layman to really understand finance. And they disguise their products. In the old days my choices included "high growth". Who doesn't want high growth? But that was a euphamism for NASDAQ, which collapsed around 2001.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/165427-browser-market-loser-opera-should-be-careful-what-it-wishes-for?source=feed#comment-711823 711823 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:56:37 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/158600-learning-from-the-postal-system-healthcare-could-use-a-last-resort-provider?source=feed#comment-651841 651841 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:58:02 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/158407-why-health-insurers-make-lousy-villains?source=feed#comment-651835 651835
I'd have to run the numbers, but I suspect if this sort of opulence was returned to shareholders, it wouldn't add up to much, maybe a few pennies per share. Even plush executive bonus's spread out over millions of shares wouldnt' add up to much. Probably where the temptation to skim comes from.]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:52:43 -0400
I'd have to run the numbers, but I suspect if this sort of opulence was returned to shareholders, it wouldn't add up to much, maybe a few pennies per share. Even plush executive bonus's spread out over millions of shares wouldnt' add up to much. Probably where the temptation to skim comes from.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/155099-book-review-geoffrey-miller-s-spent?source=feed#comment-625491 625491 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:00:57 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/154994-healthcare-does-prevention-reduce-costs?source=feed#comment-624373 624373 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:21:39 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/151521-why-i-bought-goldman-sachs-friday?source=feed#comment-604439 604439
And if the derivatives market implodes, they will surely get a plush government bailout. Which I believe they already have, either directly, or indirectly via AIG. In a fair situation, if their derivative house of cards implodes, then it takes down the whole company. No bailouts. Period.

GS seems to be heads I win, tails you lose. Of course, that doesn't mean its not a profitable investment.]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:41:55 -0400
And if the derivatives market implodes, they will surely get a plush government bailout. Which I believe they already have, either directly, or indirectly via AIG. In a fair situation, if their derivative house of cards implodes, then it takes down the whole company. No bailouts. Period.

GS seems to be heads I win, tails you lose. Of course, that doesn't mean its not a profitable investment.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/151350-is-healthcare-a-right?source=feed#comment-602703 602703
Medical care at a low level could be a "right". This could well established medicines, basic surgery, and trauma care. However what about organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, dialysis, etc.? Obviously the tax payer cannot afford to provide these uber-expensive treatements to any and all. With some illnesses, its fairly easy to exceed $1 million in medical care. And these are often for elderly. In some cases, pre-mature babies costs can exceed $1 million.]]> Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:01:29 -0400
Medical care at a low level could be a "right". This could well established medicines, basic surgery, and trauma care. However what about organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, dialysis, etc.? Obviously the tax payer cannot afford to provide these uber-expensive treatements to any and all. With some illnesses, its fairly easy to exceed $1 million in medical care. And these are often for elderly. In some cases, pre-mature babies costs can exceed $1 million.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/151361-oil-prices-and-the-suburbs?source=feed#comment-602681 602681
Either way, suburbs could be improved substantially by making them mostly self-contained. As it stands, people usually have to drive to do every single little thing. Such as driving the children to socialize and recreation. The army of soccer moms out there in 6000 pound SUVs is probably a substantial component of auto traffic. Of course there is the small problem that suburbs aren't designed to do much except big houses and auto traffic.]]> Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:50:02 -0400
Either way, suburbs could be improved substantially by making them mostly self-contained. As it stands, people usually have to drive to do every single little thing. Such as driving the children to socialize and recreation. The army of soccer moms out there in 6000 pound SUVs is probably a substantial component of auto traffic. Of course there is the small problem that suburbs aren't designed to do much except big houses and auto traffic.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/150347-the-ramifications-of-growing-global-gas-guzzlers?source=feed#comment-601390 601390
So to get away from apartment hell, they buy a house in the suburbs, and commute far. High density housing works best in a culture of discipline, and being polite and respectful. Too many people are not that.]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:08:07 -0400
So to get away from apartment hell, they buy a house in the suburbs, and commute far. High density housing works best in a culture of discipline, and being polite and respectful. Too many people are not that.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/150759-john-maudlin-on-globalization-and-leverage?source=feed#comment-601345 601345
People like confidence and risk taking. The timid, pessimists, defeatists, realists, and other conservative types are no fun.

At the battle of Gettysburg, Lee was confident. His sidekick Longstreet was a "realist" / pessimist. They marched Union stronghold with confidence. And what happened to the southern army after that is history. No government bailout for those guys.]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:22:49 -0400
People like confidence and risk taking. The timid, pessimists, defeatists, realists, and other conservative types are no fun.

At the battle of Gettysburg, Lee was confident. His sidekick Longstreet was a "realist" / pessimist. They marched Union stronghold with confidence. And what happened to the southern army after that is history. No government bailout for those guys.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/150816-why-bet-on-a-black-swan?source=feed#comment-601335 601335
When I think of black swan, I think of leverage. Some people may leverage up for that elusive black swan, while others bet again (LTCM, et al).]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:13:29 -0400
When I think of black swan, I think of leverage. Some people may leverage up for that elusive black swan, while others bet again (LTCM, et al).]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148613-the-link-between-health-insurance-and-labor-markets?source=feed#comment-593037 593037
In some cases, corporations are providing pension healthcare to the AARP crowd, such as GM, but it becomes very obvious that with globalization, that is not sustainable. They require government bailout.

No easy answer. Medical care is one of those things with unlimited demand and limited supply.]]> Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:55:31 -0400
In some cases, corporations are providing pension healthcare to the AARP crowd, such as GM, but it becomes very obvious that with globalization, that is not sustainable. They require government bailout.

No easy answer. Medical care is one of those things with unlimited demand and limited supply.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/147801-demographic-trends-key-to-long-term-global-investing?source=feed#comment-583666 583666
One disadvantage is that western economies will have to back fill with large numbers of immigrants which will result in change in culture and ethnic makeup. Se Habla espanol? Hablo castinano norte americano?]]> Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:40:14 -0400
One disadvantage is that western economies will have to back fill with large numbers of immigrants which will result in change in culture and ethnic makeup. Se Habla espanol? Hablo castinano norte americano?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148019-america-s-healthcare-problems-are-making-it-less-competitive?source=feed#comment-583636 583636
After that, the for-profit medical system kicks in. And unlike the normal "free market", you can't negotiate prices, and there is no warranty for services. If the doctor / nurse staff has been working 24 hours straight, or whatever the sleep-deprivation de jour is popular in hospital culture, and you are more prone to things like sub optimal surgery, and or infection. Get a staff / MRSA, and watch your family wealth drain away.]]> Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:56:46 -0400
After that, the for-profit medical system kicks in. And unlike the normal "free market", you can't negotiate prices, and there is no warranty for services. If the doctor / nurse staff has been working 24 hours straight, or whatever the sleep-deprivation de jour is popular in hospital culture, and you are more prone to things like sub optimal surgery, and or infection. Get a staff / MRSA, and watch your family wealth drain away.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148077-why-mortgage-modifications-have-failed?source=feed#comment-583603 583603 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:30:22 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/148172-more-iphone-apps-less-tv-newspapers-and-everything-else?source=feed#comment-583598 583598 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:24:25 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/148190-the-new-equal-weight-etf-could-mean-inequities-for-your-portfolio?source=feed#comment-583564 583564 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:47:59 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147552-google-chrome-redefining-the-operating-system?source=feed#comment-579941 579941 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:44:37 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147576-the-pope-on-the-financialization-of-the-economy?source=feed#comment-579935 579935 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:35:56 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147621-new-equal-weight-etf-gives-exposure-while-managing-risk?source=feed#comment-579929 579929
Also, having something similar for small and midcap would be great. The small and midcap ETFs seem to be heavily weighted to financials, whether its an index, or a "fundamental" type, such as from Powershares Dynamic.]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:26:56 -0400
Also, having something similar for small and midcap would be great. The small and midcap ETFs seem to be heavily weighted to financials, whether its an index, or a "fundamental" type, such as from Powershares Dynamic.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/147701-even-rentals-aren-t-faring-well-in-this-economy?source=feed#comment-579926 579926 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:21:29 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147486-alps-new-equal-weight-sector-etf-backtested-well-will-its-outperformance-continue?source=feed#comment-579909 579909 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:56:15 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147075-index-investing-pluses-and-minuses?source=feed#comment-578311 578311 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:03:01 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147115-obamas-health-insurance-plan-is-no-panacea?source=feed#comment-578310 578310 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:59:32 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147112-is-there-a-bernie-madoff-hidden-in-your-portfolio?source=feed#comment-578309 578309 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:56:47 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147441-what-would-happen-if-the-cftc-limited-energy-speculation?source=feed#comment-578306 578306
Another alternative is a private version of the Strategic Petrol Reserve. You could buy rights to barrels of crude oil, and they offload it from some Saudi ship, and dump it into whatever sort of structure that is similar to the governments Reserve.

There's also the idea of filling the back yard swimming pool with light low sulfur crude oil. When I fly over any cities suburbs, I see pool after pool, just sitting there, when they could all be filled with 6000 gallons of precious liquid fossil fuel.]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:49:17 -0400
Another alternative is a private version of the Strategic Petrol Reserve. You could buy rights to barrels of crude oil, and they offload it from some Saudi ship, and dump it into whatever sort of structure that is similar to the governments Reserve.

There's also the idea of filling the back yard swimming pool with light low sulfur crude oil. When I fly over any cities suburbs, I see pool after pool, just sitting there, when they could all be filled with 6000 gallons of precious liquid fossil fuel.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/147464-boone-pickens-retreats-on-wind-power?source=feed#comment-578300 578300 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:38:37 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147475-do-you-believe-in-bond-etfs?source=feed#comment-578299 578299 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:36:28 -0400