IMWatchingU

Is There a Problem Looming with FHA Loans?

The facts are simple. As an American, you do not have the right to OWN a home. Life choices and social status should limit a purchase such as this just as one would with regards to a yacht.

Take a look at the cash for clunkers program. Most people are driving those clunkers because THEY CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ONE.

When food, gas, and utility costs go through the roof with Cap n Trade, more people will be renting. We have to start facing the facts here.

The Bubble Blowers: Goldman Sachs and Cap and Trade

If we are to move to an alternate energy source purely on the basis of reducing hyrocarbon emissions, then I agree. Still, I am concerned that this equation cannot be balanced or validated with current energy generation techniques.

For simplestic measures, lets use wind and oil (oil being already discovered):
What does it take to manufacture an oil field and operate AND deliver this fuel source to the grid (yes, also include energy plant conversion).
What does it take to manufacture, install, and perform maintenance on an equivalent field of wind generators? Also their grid attachments.

I think you will find, jobs are more prevalent in the original model.

ALSO, what percentage of those wind generator components are made in the USA?

I just don't buy this more jobs equation.

Why Are So Many U.S. States Facing Budget Deficits?

Michiganians are fleeing to anywhere but Michigan. Socialist Governor said she would blow them away. Here is a politician who kept her word!

Why Are So Many U.S. States Facing Budget Deficits?

California Chief of Police to get 200k+ pension. Put that into any of your local company formulas.

Chart of the Day: New Car Sales

Your statement on how we have to start living closer together is so....limited upper management. To fix a problem, you have to properly define and determine the root cause. Why do people not want to live closer together? Why do people choose to commute 1-3 hours PER DAY over living closer together?

You couldn't pay me to live in the inner city since I have children. This environment with poor school scores, high crime & drugs, and total lack of family values is what keeps me commuting. Fix that and things will change. Even 4.00 per gallon gas kept people in the suburbs.

Good GM: The Largest IPO in U.S. History?

I like that. 10 years ago was "the largest corporation in the world." How time flies. Just shows that the right management coupled with an awesome worker mentality can really impact a companies future. I would say, they exceeded their goals by far.

They must have....look at the bonuses paid the past 10 years.

Bank of America Shortfall: Clueless or Cover-Up?

I vote both. Clueless and a sham.

But who care, nothing will happen. At least we know were some of our personal tax monies will flow.

10 Highest Paid CEOs for 2008: Unbelievable

It all comes from the Boards. Vote them out. Set presidence with 1-3 companies and maybe the rest will realize. Make a run on the common stock and push a company into the ground. Nothing wakes up these pompous fools like crushing their nest eggs. The best thing is they are on stock restrictions.

Compensation should be based on 3-5 year targets. Not quarterly. This gives the company the ability to rake back during times of poor executive decision. Additionally, limit the loan ability off this compensation pool. Maybe 25%.

Chrysler Puts U.S. Government Between Rock and Hard Place

Two choices. Stay in the hole and get buried OR make drastic changes to get out. True (non-Nardelli) leaders have the innovation to make dramatic business model changes. THIS IS WHY THEY DESERVE THE MILLIONS. Not just because of title and contract (Nardelli).

GM has started the move with killing Pontiac. Toyota and Nissan have two product lines. Base and Luxury. Chrysler is in a tough shoot and may not be able to can the Dodge brand. They do have three unique product lines. Can they trim to two?

Question? Why doesn't Ford kill Mercury? They are just a mirror of the Ford model. Less complexity does boost profits. A person buying a Mariner will buy an Escape. Right?

GM Liquidates Two Employee Benefit Plans

Face it, the UAW now has more power than EVER to negotiate their own terms. IF they and the Obama Admin drive these two "giants" into the ground, then we have groups to blame. On the other side, IF this does succeed it may be a plan for future troubled companies.

As investors, we need to learn one key fact. IF we hear a "too big to fail" company is in trouble. Sell all your stock & bonds! Move on! Don't be in front of the USS Socialist. Collect your chips and move on to a new poker table!

GM Exchange Shows Treasury's True Colors

You cannot tell me that in any way or form that this here is not a completely polically biased and planned destruction of capital investments. My dad has a friend who has 50k now worth 2.5-5k. Retired. This portion of his retirement gone. Finally I see where 72 million in campaign contributions went.

You think this is bad, check out the Chrysler deal. 55% to the Union. Isn't this the same union that helped management in their own destruction?

So what is next?

Comments?

AIG's Collapse: Was It Criminal?

Magicians. Pure and simple. Watch these issues on this hand but don't watch the other. Washington is so worried about the prisoners so that we will not see their own failings. Just a game. Keep focused. Those 500 prisoners didn't cause of the collapse of the world financial markets.

The financial destruction of the world is not the hands of any one financial institution, group, or individual. Still, it is the individual and their choices that created the house of cards from pure greed. It is only a matter of time for some of these individuals be brought up to account for their actions. IF their actions are within the laws, you know the lawmakers will get involved. As investors, we has the responsibility to punish these companies by avoiding their stock like the plague until management changes policy and executives and boards are REPLACED.

The Citigroup Rally

Hard to tell where C could be 12 months from now. The Obama-factor is so undefined that this could be a Fannie/Freddie or a $10.00 stock. Invest with discretionary money.

U.S. Government's Plan for Banks - Ready, Fire, Aim

OMG. This is the reason why there are Democrats. Why we need to help those with lesser IQ's (in general).

SO...we have decided to take a number of measurements within these banks so that we can determine there is a difference! Now we need to determine how to analyze this data. WTF. This shows that we have a systematic problem.

1. No one put together a well-thought plan
2. We took in information that we don't understand
3. We don't know if this information will separate the wheat from the chaff.
4. No one bothered to define a true output or contrast measurement for this project.

So HOW do we succeed in this project?

The Administration Doesn't Like What GM and Chrysler Have to Sell

If Toyota's CEO is compensated at 900k and GM's at 15 million, do we see a problem? How many levels below Wagner to do you have to go to get to 900k at GM?

I would ask a direct comparison of headcounts and compensation between Toyota and GM and Chrysler. Start with the top 5 levels. Force them to restrict compensation based on a multiple of the lowest paid worker. If the janitor doesn't get a raise, the exec is restricted.

If the administation wants change, start with these levels.