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Jon Corzine is in Greece right now figuring out how he can incorporate all the Greek unemployment and seize the moment by asking for US funding in creating a green energy company to employ Greek youth. ( A noble cause)
He only needs a grant of $750 Million stimulus money to create a solar panel that is in the shape of pita bread. These circular disks will be used to power Gyros rotisseries in restaurants globally.
GG Global (Greek Gyros Global) is ready for its intitial funding.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Buying a new car is NOT on many people's agenda anymore. If you can buy something new for $30,000, just think what you can get if you spend that for a 2-3 year old car?
$30,000 barely gets you an "average" new car/small SUV, but look at what $30,000 gets you into at a quality car that is 2-3 years old. You want to save a LOT of money? Buy used. Most of the bugs are worked out of them by that time PLUS you can look up their quality levels.
Let the 1% take the hit on initial depreciation.
I bought a 1993 Jaguar Vanden Plas with only 44K miles on it for $3K about 3 years ago. I put in $3K and now have about 59K miles on it. It looks and drives like new with all the chrome and leather in showroom condition. All the burled walnut on the dash and side door interior is in showroom condition as well.
PLUS it is getting 21.6 miles per gallon across my overall driving. (straight 6 cylinder)
$6K is one or two options on a new car. Take all that money that you would have paid for a new car - and put it somewhere else.
Restore the old cars - a great hobby AND it's good for the environment. (the most energy is spent on building a car (no matter what make) not driving it for its lifetime).
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
From a technology perspective, Dell has to come out with some new devices or totally new innovations in order to be "hot".
Right now, Dell is starting to remind me of Xerox - trying to maximize sales on decades-old technology.
There comes a point where the products become commodities, the market becomes saturated, and "sales" are just focused on add-on services and selling replacements - not growing or expanding the market(s).
You have to bring out something new. So what is it? Their tablet? That is just a "me-too" product - others already have one out.
In my career, I have seen many "one product/ one focus" companies go by the wayside as they hit their peak sales saturation and now have nothing else to sell. As the technology in the market passes them by, they start to slow down and stagnate.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Spanish and Cypriots better off than the Germans? The ECB study is flawed? Should we be alarmed? How many studies here have data so old (or inaccurate) it is meaningless?
Sounds like our government's Unemployment statistics given here every month.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Bob123 Well congratulations on your service. No matter what we argue about, I value that in you.
As to being concerned about waste, "misinformed" might not be the right fit. I would say I have a broader view than you do on waste. I would agree with you that there IS waste in military spending, but in some cases that is like the rule of advertising.
In advertising, "50% of the money you spend is wasted". The problem is - you don't know which 50% is to cut out. So you don't want to cut anything out. (that used to be the axiom but with new metrics in place and new software, understanding where the waste is, is becoming more of a science, than an art)
We don't measure the effectiveness in what we are spending in any government agency. If we did, we would uncover waste. In some programs, much more than others.
ANY fraudulent recipient - whether it is individuals for cellphones, doctors and medical equipment companies for phony medicare claims, business subsidies, defense contracting, flood contracting (like sub-contractors to FEMA) - should be penalized and jailed.
I do not think ANY program should have fraud in it - because it takes away from those who really need it (in the entitlement area or in the business development area)
What I don't like is the argument that if you don't cut out anything on THIS program, then all the waste that you HAVE uncovered in other programs shouldn't have to be acted upon.
I say, act on everything - if you see waste. I am not protecting the military.
I look at what by-products are gotten out of a specific program. If it is a LOT, there really is no waste.
If we commercialize what we learn from military programs - even though some may say it is a complete waste- we have really gotten some huge benefits from it.
If you talk to some voters, ALL the money "wasted" on the Space Program could have been put into social programs. I disagree.
My question is, what products and/or technology do we get out of any welfare (giveaway) program for use in society??
The Space Program has had HUGE by-products for the betterment of society for the last 50 years. Medical breakthroughs, medical devices, the miniaturization of electronics, the miniaturization of computers, metalurgy and fuel advancements, battery sizes, etc. EVERYONE benefits from those break
What has all the welfare programs generated? (besides more people in the next generation of recipients)
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Bob 123 You ARE misinformed.
Buffett talks about the"other rich guy" paying his fair share. Buffett owes a Billion in taxes and has his lawyers working on loopholes to avoid paying the taxes.
I don't care if he is liberal or conservative - he is doing his part in making sure he doesn't pay much in taxes.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Bob 123 You don't recall? That's the classic argument of those caught in no-win arguments. That's old and quite predictable as well!!!
As to your comment yesterday - James, since we are enamored with Thatcherism,
The trouble with the corporate military complex -- is that you eventually run out of other people's children (as well as their money).
Why do you keep banging the corporate military complex? Did you ever serve in the military? Your kids? Anyone?
I just wonder why you have this ongoing grind against the military complex and that every financial issue the country faces could be eliminated by eliminating the military. It can't.
They help protect you and your right to write whatever you feel like here.
Oh - and I just watched Piers Morgan ranting about gun control on a video where Jessie Ventura put him into a tailspin. Never saw him before - and can see why.
You talk about watching Fox, anyone who watches some loon like Piers Morgan should switch channels. I guess if he didn't rant like a loon on a right he has no clue about, no one would watch him.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
ctokar - Silent on Tesla? I have seen a Tesla - they are nice cars.
Can YOU afford one? If you can, a Tesla is NOT your first choice.
People who are looking to spend $130,000 plus on a car, are not rushing to the Tesla dealer. They also aren't running to a Fisker dealer (as we see with their financial woes).
At $130,000 - $160,000, you are going to see more people buying high-end BMWs, Audis, Maseratis, Jaguars, used Bentleys, maybe some used Aston-Martins. Teslas are still trying to work into that market mindset. If I had $130,000 right now to buy a car - it would NOT be a Tesla.
We went to a Rolls- Bentley dealer in the Chicago area a couple of months ago and they were talking about the Fisker dealer not selling one car in several months.
If you're some environmental activist - who also has huge money - like an actor, you might see one or two driving around in a Tesla, but when it comes to real "panache" and who is driving down Rodeo Drive you are seeing people like Paris Hilton driving a Bentley (Continental convertible(the smaller frame), J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez) driving a Bentley Azure (convertible on a BIG frame), Kim driving a big Land Rover and so many others.
How many Kardashians are driving a Tesla, Fisker, or even a Volt? (NONE).
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Wyostocks - Your comments are credible - and I agree. Not all can be mature at 18. Another route - which many would resist would be to go into the military for 2-3 years. That is a place where you can grow up fast and actually be a lot more mature than your equivalent junior in college.
You would be surprised to see some 18-20 year-olds actually opting for that after seeing no progress in college. I know of a girl going into the Navy after getting her AA degree and a son of a friend who was waiting tables (and making about $40 an hour in tips) but felt there was no future in it. He had about 3 years of college, and was 25.
He is now in the Coast Guard and making good money and benefits and working in Homeland Security in Wash DC. He scored really high on their tests and they have given him a great opportunity.
They are sending him to finish his degree (and PAYING for it) In a couple of years, he will be in a much better position to either get a civilian job or stay with the Coast Guard.
I thought he made the right choice in the situation he was in. Serving a couple years in the military is good on the resume (I know I'll hear some flak for that - but say what you want. I enlisted at 17 between HS and college and it was a good experience. Things worked out well - plus I don't have a naive "fear of firearms")
All I am saying is that there are some really good options that some kids are overlooking.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Leftfield - Well said. PLUS - telling people to go into debt and "get a college degree" may not be the recipe for success anymore.
If tuition at a "good school" is $31K (DePaul University) to $35K (Northwestern U.) a year (this is WITHOUT room & board & books & booze), a price-tag of $125K to $140K is hefty.
Many recent graduates today are serving tables at the local Red Lobster or Capital Grill.
If they took out loans, they are in debt $60K-$80K, so no one is looking at buying that brand-new BMW 3-series just yet and probably moved back home with Mom and Dad.
Maybe a real alternative is to buy an 18-year old a business franchise and tell them to "run it" for four years and get real experience under their belt to understand the elements of business.
For $125K-$140K, you can buy a halfway decent franchise operation.
This strategy may not fit everyone but it IS a viable alternative to what was once thought to be the "universal strategy" for everyone - go get a college degree.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Everyone go out and buy a Fisker so they can re-pay their government loans.
????? What ? No takers????
Come on, all you climate-conscious commenters - put your money where your mouth is and bail out a company - and a concept - that you keep harping everyone else has to adapt to.
WELL? Rich in Quebec - got your order placed yet? Bob123 - buying two FIskers - one for you and your wife? What about all you others?
Enough with the hybrids and EVs. Unless you put YOUR money where YOUR mouth is, don't tell me where to put mine.
Look at the global markets.
People want a Ford Focus - and NOT a Chevy Volt. GM's wonder-blunder might as well come in Manatee Gray. It AIN'T selling. (and neither did Fisker)
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
That is not a good strategy to try to get new business. Who closes new business? Get rid of some of the Administrative overhead.
There is NO strategy in cutting costs. Where is the plan to expand into new markets or create new products?
This is a typical lame CEO response that shows no creative initiative and should surely NOT be rewarded with any big bonus.
Cutting costs is a low-level analyst's job - not a CEO strategy.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
He only needs a grant of $750 Million stimulus money to create a solar panel that is in the shape of pita bread. These circular disks will be used to power Gyros rotisseries in restaurants globally.
GG Global (Greek Gyros Global) is ready for its intitial funding.
Hmmmmmm...... sounds plausible, doesn't it?
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
$30,000 barely gets you an "average" new car/small SUV, but look at what $30,000 gets you into at a quality car that is 2-3 years old. You want to save a LOT of money? Buy used. Most of the bugs are worked out of them by that time PLUS you can look up their quality levels.
Let the 1% take the hit on initial depreciation.
I bought a 1993 Jaguar Vanden Plas with only 44K miles on it for $3K about 3 years ago. I put in $3K and now have about 59K miles on it. It looks and drives like new with all the chrome and leather in showroom condition. All the burled walnut on the dash and side door interior is in showroom condition as well.
PLUS it is getting 21.6 miles per gallon across my overall driving. (straight 6 cylinder)
$6K is one or two options on a new car. Take all that money that you would have paid for a new car - and put it somewhere else.
Restore the old cars - a great hobby AND it's good for the environment. (the most energy is spent on building a car (no matter what make) not driving it for its lifetime).
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Right now, Dell is starting to remind me of Xerox - trying to maximize sales on decades-old technology.
There comes a point where the products become commodities, the market becomes saturated, and "sales" are just focused on add-on services and selling replacements - not growing or expanding the market(s).
You have to bring out something new. So what is it? Their tablet? That is just a "me-too" product - others already have one out.
In my career, I have seen many "one product/ one focus" companies go by the wayside as they hit their peak sales saturation and now have nothing else to sell. As the technology in the market passes them by, they start to slow down and stagnate.
Dell is reaching that point.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Sounds like our government's Unemployment statistics given here every month.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
http://bit.ly/17poEhl
http://bit.ly/YbgIJF
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Well congratulations on your service. No matter what we argue about, I value that in you.
As to being concerned about waste, "misinformed" might not be the right fit. I would say I have a broader view than you do on waste. I would agree with you that there IS waste in military spending, but in some cases that is like the rule of advertising.
In advertising, "50% of the money you spend is wasted". The problem is - you don't know which 50% is to cut out. So you don't want to cut anything out. (that used to be the axiom but with new metrics in place and new software, understanding where the waste is, is becoming more of a science, than an art)
We don't measure the effectiveness in what we are spending in any government agency. If we did, we would uncover waste. In some programs, much more than others.
ANY fraudulent recipient - whether it is individuals for cellphones, doctors and medical equipment companies for phony medicare claims, business subsidies, defense contracting, flood contracting (like sub-contractors to FEMA) - should be penalized and jailed.
I do not think ANY program should have fraud in it - because it takes away from those who really need it (in the entitlement area or in the business development area)
What I don't like is the argument that if you don't cut out anything on THIS program, then all the waste that you HAVE uncovered in other programs shouldn't have to be acted upon.
I say, act on everything - if you see waste. I am not protecting the military.
I look at what by-products are gotten out of a specific program. If it is a LOT, there really is no waste.
If we commercialize what we learn from military programs - even though some may say it is a complete waste- we have really gotten some huge benefits from it.
If you talk to some voters, ALL the money "wasted" on the Space Program could have been put into social programs. I disagree.
My question is, what products and/or technology do we get out of any welfare (giveaway) program for use in society??
The Space Program has had HUGE by-products for the betterment of society for the last 50 years. Medical breakthroughs, medical devices, the miniaturization of electronics, the miniaturization of computers, metalurgy and fuel advancements, battery sizes, etc. EVERYONE benefits from those break
What has all the welfare programs generated? (besides more people in the next generation of recipients)
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
You ARE misinformed.
Buffett talks about the"other rich guy" paying his fair share. Buffett owes a Billion in taxes and has his lawyers working on loopholes to avoid paying the taxes.
I don't care if he is liberal or conservative - he is doing his part in making sure he doesn't pay much in taxes.
Dig a little deeper Bob.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
You don't recall? That's the classic argument of those caught in no-win arguments. That's old and quite predictable as well!!!
As to your comment yesterday -
James, since we are enamored with Thatcherism,
The trouble with the corporate military complex -- is that you eventually run out of other people's children (as well as their money).
Why do you keep banging the corporate military complex? Did you ever serve in the military? Your kids? Anyone?
I just wonder why you have this ongoing grind against the military complex and that every financial issue the country faces could be eliminated by eliminating the military. It can't.
They help protect you and your right to write whatever you feel like here.
Oh - and I just watched Piers Morgan ranting about gun control on a video where Jessie Ventura put him into a tailspin. Never saw him before - and can see why.
You talk about watching Fox, anyone who watches some loon like Piers Morgan should switch channels. I guess if he didn't rant like a loon on a right he has no clue about, no one would watch him.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
http://bit.ly/YaDCRp
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
You are right - the Bank of Daddy is picking up the college costs.
Jhoss58 - you are wrong - the Banks ARE interested in signing up junior for a College Tuition Loan (which cannot be cancelled by filing a bankruptcy)
How many kids are set up as future financial slaves by the signing off for "easy money" for next year's tuition?
AND the banks ARE interested because most 18 year olds don't have a clue as to paying off $35,000.
'
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Silent on Tesla? I have seen a Tesla - they are nice cars.
Can YOU afford one? If you can, a Tesla is NOT your first choice.
People who are looking to spend $130,000 plus on a car, are not rushing to the Tesla dealer. They also aren't running to a Fisker dealer (as we see with their financial woes).
At $130,000 - $160,000, you are going to see more people buying high-end BMWs, Audis, Maseratis, Jaguars, used Bentleys, maybe some used Aston-Martins. Teslas are still trying to work into that market mindset. If I had $130,000 right now to buy a car - it would NOT be a Tesla.
We went to a Rolls- Bentley dealer in the Chicago area a couple of months ago and they were talking about the Fisker dealer not selling one car in several months.
If you're some environmental activist - who also has huge money - like an actor, you might see one or two driving around in a Tesla, but when it comes to real "panache" and who is driving down Rodeo Drive you are seeing people like Paris Hilton driving a Bentley (Continental convertible(the smaller frame), J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez) driving a Bentley Azure (convertible on a BIG frame), Kim driving a big Land Rover and so many others.
How many Kardashians are driving a Tesla, Fisker, or even a Volt? (NONE).
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Your comments are credible - and I agree. Not all can be mature at 18. Another route - which many would resist would be to go into the military for 2-3 years. That is a place where you can grow up fast and actually be a lot more mature than your equivalent junior in college.
You would be surprised to see some 18-20 year-olds actually opting for that after seeing no progress in college. I know of a girl going into the Navy after getting her AA degree and a son of a friend who was waiting tables (and making about $40 an hour in tips) but felt there was no future in it. He had about 3 years of college, and was 25.
He is now in the Coast Guard and making good money and benefits and working in Homeland Security in Wash DC. He scored really high on their tests and they have given him a great opportunity.
They are sending him to finish his degree (and PAYING for it) In a couple of years, he will be in a much better position to either get a civilian job or stay with the Coast Guard.
I thought he made the right choice in the situation he was in. Serving a couple years in the military is good on the resume (I know I'll hear some flak for that - but say what you want. I enlisted at 17 between HS and college and it was a good experience. Things worked out well - plus I don't have a naive "fear of firearms")
All I am saying is that there are some really good options that some kids are overlooking.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
Well said. PLUS - telling people to go into debt and "get a college degree" may not be the recipe for success anymore.
If tuition at a "good school" is $31K (DePaul University) to $35K (Northwestern U.) a year (this is WITHOUT room & board & books & booze), a price-tag of $125K to $140K is hefty.
Many recent graduates today are serving tables at the local Red Lobster or Capital Grill.
If they took out loans, they are in debt $60K-$80K, so no one is looking at buying that brand-new BMW 3-series just yet and probably moved back home with Mom and Dad.
Maybe a real alternative is to buy an 18-year old a business franchise and tell them to "run it" for four years and get real experience under their belt to understand the elements of business.
For $125K-$140K, you can buy a halfway decent franchise operation.
This strategy may not fit everyone but it IS a viable alternative to what was once thought to be the "universal strategy" for everyone - go get a college degree.
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News [View article]
????? What ? No takers????
Come on, all you climate-conscious commenters - put your money where your mouth is and bail out a company - and a concept - that you keep harping everyone else has to adapt to.
WELL? Rich in Quebec - got your order placed yet? Bob123 - buying two FIskers - one for you and your wife? What about all you others?
Enough with the hybrids and EVs. Unless you put YOUR money where YOUR mouth is, don't tell me where to put mine.
Look at the global markets.
People want a Ford Focus - and NOT a Chevy Volt. GM's wonder-blunder might as well come in Manatee Gray. It AIN'T selling. (and neither did Fisker)