flyoverman

Shrinking U.S.A.

Xyrus, what's the point of assigning a personality to the U.S. and then arguing about personality traits? The U.S. isn't a person who is the "bully." It isn't and never has been the "only" economic power just like it isn't and hasn't been for a long time "just another" economic power. Why beat yourself up (if you are an American citizen)? Let's do what we can to be stronger. Any positive suggestions? Have a "can do" attitude.

Thursday Outlook: Crude Awakening

This thread is just more evidence of what I'm talking about... we, the divided and unintelligent (or at least short-term only focused) citizens. We all demand a solution... but part of us are with J.Fonda/M.Douglas and the no nukes (the clean energy that the French have found) crowd... part of us are dead set against drilling anywhere, even in someone else's backyard (like Alaska) where the people there want it anyway.... part of us blame the evil oil and energy interests and regulate the heck out of big projects like refinery building.... part of think conversation is the only answer but it holds no hope of significantly solving the problem without putting us back in the stone ages (which some of us seem to want, btw, but guess what, you don't know what poverty, poor health care, etc. are unless you go back to being an underdeveloped nation.)... anyway, we all demand a solution but we all demand too much in the way of limiting the alternatives. Politicians can only get elected by lying to please us.

Thursday Outlook: Crude Awakening

correction: "we citizens are NOT smart enough.."

Thursday Outlook: Crude Awakening

It's not that politicians don't get it and don't care, although the truth is we all know they "most" care about staying in power.
The issue is we citizens are smart enough and long term focused enough to stick together on demanding an appropriate (not just demanding, but demanding an appropriate) solution. We are too busy fighting over the economic pie between are self-interested special groups (everything from minorities of every type to environmentalists to pillage and r---- bus execs) to keep the focus on the need for nuclear energy, refineries, etc. and what is needed to make the economic pie bigger for all. As far as the press... yes they are among the most dumb of us.

Market Bulls: Everything's Coming Up Roses?

Here you go, Robster: The world-wide supply money will pick up the slack, at least to some degree. The excess liquidity from bad loans (we call it "sub-prime", but really it is "bad") needs to be wrung out. It was an illusion in the first place.

Big Money Is Betting on Inflation, Not the Economy

The answer to your question: "How can either happen when the Feds fix is increasing inflation and America has less of the goods the global consumer wants?"
..is... the lower US dollar means foreigners are finding American good a better deal, and they will be (and are) bidding up the prices.

Historical Michigan Confidence Chart

Yes, thanks to the media and politicians who are seeking power.... the "sky is falling."

Let's Think Long and Hard About Extending Those Bush Tax Cuts

Why do we have to still argue about the proven: Increasing tax rates doesn't necessarily increase revenues. The real problem is NOT, not high enough tax rates, it is too much government spending. The government is the true insatiable consumer. No matter what you give the "beast", it'll want more. It's the masses saying "me too" with their hungry mouths.... although, in fact we are overweight, but our politicians are listening and fanning the flames. It's a type of corruption... buying votes.

A Look at Recession Indicators

Who cares about definitions... other than the media hype and then its effect on consumer confidence, which really does matter. The "R" word is over-hyped. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - FDR

It's Time to Talk About Inflation

Why the political overtones of? "The United States is 'out-of-step' with the rest of the world because the Bush administration had to 'go-it-alone' in terms of ..."

The political overtones don't help me invest. Are you selling or campaigning for someone?

Finance Ministers Concerned Over Falling Dollar

You seem to be saying that America needs to do what the G-7 dictates. I don't know if I'd vote for that, maybe that's why our politicians "go it alone" sometimes. It's too bad the G-7 countries don't pitch in on their fair share of the "defense" needs of Western civilization. I guess the U.S. should go that alone... or maybe we should just stick our heads in the sand and say there are no problems, there are no terrorists, there is no one who'd want to nuke a western city if they could.... yes, perhaps we should just wait until they do a few. I guess that's what the G-7 wants. Contrary to popular and wishful thinking, peace is not accomplished by talk. Someone has to carry a big stick.

Stocks vs. Bonds: A Surprising Result

Eddy, if you aren't familiar with compounding and the time value of money, you should post on a different site.

Thursday Outlook: Range-Bound Trading

Yes, Jimmy Carter brought inflation under control too, right? and with low interest rates. Ouch. I remember my 19% 2nd mortgage. Where are all of new nuclear power plants? That's what we need. The environmentalist and the "not in my backyard" have put the French way ahead of the US. Nuclear is where it is at.

Why Is John Mauldin Defending Greenspan?

Greenspan was the person with the most authority to slow the bubble, but instead aided it. He deserves his share of the blame and typically the lead person is often the one who receives the "naming" privileges... so it is the "Greenspan bubble." .. but who really cares? He just needs to mature and quite trying to blame others. He's no statesman, so don't listen to him.

Record Declines in Home Prices Continue

An alternative headline could be "Housing Prices Retract Some After Years of Booming". Where I'm at there is no decline, but there wasn't the same boom either.