Is Big Government Necessarily a Bad Thing? [View article]
Until we change Congress' compensation plan and align their interests with the public’s, economic policy will be distorted.
Your point on simplicity is valid. We live in a very complex world. Yet are constantly bombarded with decisions wherein which our decision choices are artificially limited to just two.
Two liberal sites yesterday (Progressive.org and Opednews.com) published sharp criticism of tax money given to AIG showing up scot free on 3rd party balance sheets.
Guys ... we better find us some common ground and stop this.
Goldman Sachs and Why Earnings Season Will be (Bi-) Polar [View article]
A confidence game for sure.
When information we need to make decisions is suspect, then any decision based on that information is suspect.
We have companies who are purposefully misleading the public.
We have enforcement agencies that are not enforcing
We have the government paternalistically withholding information if not directly manipulating information in such a way as it may cause a decentralized group of people to lose money.
Message to Ben Stein: You're Wrong About Tea Parties, Taxes, Other Economic Factors [View article]
I'll be on the square in Fayetteville tomorrow from 4 to 7 PM at a tea party. It's a good thing it isn't happening spontaneously. I wouldn't know to show up!
The dollar may go up ... then again ... it may go down.
NZ and AUS and perhaps Brazil are the farmers to worry about. The relative strength of their currencies might bite them.
I am a grain commodities person in so far as we sell our crop in various markets. I've got my fingers crossed that this might be one of the best year’s in ... well ... years.
Bank 'Stress Tests' Not So Stressful [View article]
It's already been announced -- banks can't fail the stress test. And no ... we aren't going to be told of the results.
The purpose of the stress test was to buy time. And ... with that as the goal, they succeeded.
And ... the surgical bankruptcy by GM will not result in 2 million newly unemployed -- at least immediately. GM will continue functioning and building cars.
The $5 Billion already announced for auto suppliers will "help" mitigate the dominos effect, too.
No ... GM's bankruptcy will be a non event and as such will be hailed as further evidence of a recovery.
The FEDury is betting the farm that they can make perception reality.
The Next Hurdle: Keeping Interest Rates Low [View article]
At the moment Government isn't crowding out.
But ... we're going to start averaging over $140 Billion a month in treasury auctions -- month in, month out. And ... remember ... this is new money we need.
China still has a net positive monthly of somewhere $18 Billion a month. That just leaves $122 billion we'll have to raise from other sources.
I fear that the only other sources are taxpayers and the printing press.
Why Shouldn't Goldman Sachs Repay Their TARP Money? [View article]
I don't have a problem with your thoughts at all.
I'm a little worried this means that the PPIP funds will be drawn instead.
I guess I'll watching to see who's willing to put equity into them for a better deal than TARP funds. Here I'm wondering if PPIP profits aren't just a tad bit too generous.
Speaking as a tasxpayer, that nonrecourse loan part bother me.
I'm getting a tad bit ticked off. OK ... maybe more than just a tad.
It's time to take mops and brooms and bleach to Washington. They can either come clean or they can go down the drain with the rest of the scum.
They say bankers are leaving -- the brain drain you know.
Super duper! Hot dog!
So ... who is hiring these charlatens? I want to know so I can avoid having anything to do with them. Their new companies will make my list of do not buy stocks.
Actually they've probably all landed jobs with the government.
A Word of Caution on Double Bottoms [View article]
What percentage of volume are speculators and program trades? According to Tyler D program trades are in the 35% plus range. My bet is that speculators are in the same range.
Stock Market Rally Is for Suckers as Credit Destruction Lingers [View article]
Being an entrepreneur has taught me many things. One of them is I have a much bigger appreciation for and more personal relationship with risk.
When and where the rubber hits the road, I am willing to put the ante in and play my hand because I know that I do control at least my own actions. On the other hand, I have no control of nor have real input into the market. It doesn't care what I think or do. So ... I try to bet the trends.
Right now there are no trends to bet.
Until and unless uncertainty declines, there will be no clear trends.
For example, I'm not going to take out a 5 year note and be personally responsible for it unless I can visualize how I'm going to pay for it in a worst case scenario. Cutting my teeth in the dotcom era as president of an internet startup; I take computer generated income scenarios with a grain of salt.
Net, net, net ... the prudent investor isn't in this market. It's speculators and program trading.
Is Big Government Necessarily a Bad Thing? [View article]
Your point on simplicity is valid. We live in a very complex world. Yet are constantly bombarded with decisions wherein which our decision choices are artificially limited to just two.
Two liberal sites yesterday (Progressive.org and Opednews.com) published sharp criticism of tax money given to AIG showing up scot free on 3rd party balance sheets.
Guys ... we better find us some common ground and stop this.
Put your wedge issues aside for another day.
Goldman Sachs and Why Earnings Season Will be (Bi-) Polar [View article]
When information we need to make decisions is suspect, then any decision based on that information is suspect.
We have companies who are purposefully misleading the public.
We have enforcement agencies that are not enforcing
We have the government paternalistically withholding information if not directly manipulating information in such a way as it may cause a decentralized group of people to lose money.
Horse manure!
No.
Message to Ben Stein: You're Wrong About Tea Parties, Taxes, Other Economic Factors [View article]
The Unexpected Retail Decline [View article]
Only 29% of us are wondering about that? Lordy ... I can see the headline now ...
Government Officials Shocked by Economic Events.
Deficits don't matter?
Unemployment isn't important?
Retail sales aren't important?
If I may ... just what in heck is important?
No. On second thought ... Don't tell me.
Agriculture: Follow the Money [View article]
The dollar may go up ... then again ... it may go down.
NZ and AUS and perhaps Brazil are the farmers to worry about. The relative strength of their currencies might bite them.
I am a grain commodities person in so far as we sell our crop in various markets. I've got my fingers crossed that this might be one of the best year’s in ... well ... years.
Rogers Likes Agriculture Over Oil and Gold [View article]
On a more immediate basis, agri commodities (corn, beans, rice)should hold up well this year. Stay away from cotton.
On the other hand ... oil isn't going to skyrocket in the near term. World GDP, US GDP is falling.
Now about the farm land I have in SE Arkansas ...
Thoughts on a 'Recovery' Following Surprisingly Good Earnings Reports [View article]
How come earnings reports are surprisingly good?
Every heard the phrase "too good to be true"?
You go ahead and base you personal financial wealth on these numbers. You'll be doing your part for sure.
When you are in control of perception, no need to bother with reality.
Bank 'Stress Tests' Not So Stressful [View article]
The purpose of the stress test was to buy time. And ... with that as the goal, they succeeded.
And ... the surgical bankruptcy by GM will not result in 2 million newly unemployed -- at least immediately. GM will continue functioning and building cars.
The $5 Billion already announced for auto suppliers will "help" mitigate the dominos effect, too.
No ... GM's bankruptcy will be a non event and as such will be hailed as further evidence of a recovery.
The FEDury is betting the farm that they can make perception reality.
The Next Hurdle: Keeping Interest Rates Low [View article]
But ... we're going to start averaging over $140 Billion a month in treasury auctions -- month in, month out. And ... remember ... this is new money we need.
China still has a net positive monthly of somewhere $18 Billion a month. That just leaves $122 billion we'll have to raise from other sources.
I fear that the only other sources are taxpayers and the printing press.
Why Shouldn't Goldman Sachs Repay Their TARP Money? [View article]
I'm a little worried this means that the PPIP funds will be drawn instead.
I guess I'll watching to see who's willing to put equity into them for a better deal than TARP funds. Here I'm wondering if PPIP profits aren't just a tad bit too generous.
Speaking as a tasxpayer, that nonrecourse loan part bother me.
The Imminent Equity Implosion [View article]
It's time to take mops and brooms and bleach to Washington. They can either come clean or they can go down the drain with the rest of the scum.
They say bankers are leaving -- the brain drain you know.
Super duper! Hot dog!
So ... who is hiring these charlatens? I want to know so I can avoid having anything to do with them. Their new companies will make my list of do not buy stocks.
Actually they've probably all landed jobs with the government.
PPIP Killed the 2008 Bear [View article]
One way is to demand transparency. If we can't follow the money then ... well ... they don't get anyway.
The greater good's claim for secrecy is horse manure.
A Word of Caution on Double Bottoms [View article]
That is not a place I want to be.
Stock Market Rally Is for Suckers as Credit Destruction Lingers [View article]
When and where the rubber hits the road, I am willing to put the ante in and play my hand because I know that I do control at least my own actions. On the other hand, I have no control of nor have real input into the market. It doesn't care what I think or do. So ... I try to bet the trends.
Right now there are no trends to bet.
Until and unless uncertainty declines, there will be no clear trends.
For example, I'm not going to take out a 5 year note and be personally responsible for it unless I can visualize how I'm going to pay for it in a worst case scenario. Cutting my teeth in the dotcom era as president of an internet startup; I take computer generated income scenarios with a grain of salt.
Net, net, net ... the prudent investor isn't in this market. It's speculators and program trading.
The Investment Circus: Why Mean-Ignorant Monkeys Beat Median-Jumping Clowns [View article]