President Obama's proposal to extend the middle-class tax cuts before reforming the tax code and entitlements is a "sucker's game," declares Wilbur Ross. There's no trade-off there, it's just the president saying give me what I want, and I'll agree to talk about the rest later. What's being obscured by Washington is that the fiscal cliff issue isn't about taxes and revenue, but that our country is spending way too much. “You can't solve the bulk of the problem with revenues," Ross says. "It’s not going to happen.” [View news story]
kmi, "At the end of the day the Repubs lost". No they did not. The balance of power is the same today as before the election. Nothing has changed. President - Dem Senate - Dem controlled House - Rep controlled.
President Obama's proposal to extend the middle-class tax cuts before reforming the tax code and entitlements is a "sucker's game," declares Wilbur Ross. There's no trade-off there, it's just the president saying give me what I want, and I'll agree to talk about the rest later. What's being obscured by Washington is that the fiscal cliff issue isn't about taxes and revenue, but that our country is spending way too much. “You can't solve the bulk of the problem with revenues," Ross says. "It’s not going to happen.” [View news story]
You should be very happy. Because if doing nothing and going over the cliff is to happen, it will be just what you are calling for above.
President Obama's proposal to extend the middle-class tax cuts before reforming the tax code and entitlements is a "sucker's game," declares Wilbur Ross. There's no trade-off there, it's just the president saying give me what I want, and I'll agree to talk about the rest later. What's being obscured by Washington is that the fiscal cliff issue isn't about taxes and revenue, but that our country is spending way too much. “You can't solve the bulk of the problem with revenues," Ross says. "It’s not going to happen.” [View news story]
ironchefw, good idea but more idiots voted against that this election than voted for it.
Cullen, Thank you for the exchange. Your description of the differences in the two theories is now well understood. You have increased my interest in your MR views and I would like to learn more. Do you have other writings on the subject to view, along with the link you provided.
Cullen, Forgive me if I am wrong. But are you not from the school of MMT thought? And is it not true that in reality, MR is your school of thought to explain MMT Cullens way?
jferreiro, One must always take these MMT theorists with a grain of salt. Of course gold is an investment. It is a hedge against all paper currencies. Otherwise, why would all central banks around the world hold so much of it in their portfolios? Maybe Cullen would like to espouse his theories on this.
Bearishness among heavy-hitter money managers surveyed by Barron's rises to 27%, nearly double the amount from April's poll. As for individual sectors, there's no love for the utilities, with just 1% of respondents picking it as the best-performing industry over the next 12 months, and 20% choosing it as the worst. We've given away the answer, but guess which is today's cover. Feel better, bulls? [View news story]
Former Clinton economic adviser Laura D’Andrea Tyson describes how the "vicious circle" of income inequality leads to educational inequality, which then perpetuates the wealth gaps in the U.S. Tyson also notes how poverty is much higher in single-parent families than in those with married parents. But while she wants to increase taxes for the rich and pour money into education, she stops short of advocating policies to strengthen marriage. [View news story]
Sounds great Nunay. Who would have ever thought a child needs nurturing parents. Since your wife feels we have come to the point that better education going forward for our children is better parenting, I have an idea for your wife. Have her go to her teacher's Union Boss and suggest all future increases in money intended for schools, instead be funneled toward a new federal program where the money is given to the parents where it must be spent on better parenting skills. We get your wife's frustrations. What we don't get is the constant fight put up by the Unions to choke the competion to public education, i.e. charter and private schools and a parents right to have their dollars go to educate their children in the best way they see fit.
After three "jobless recoveries" in the last twenty years, NYT's Hedrick Smith suggests it's time to take a lesson from Henry Ford. History has proven Ford's virtuous circle to be effective, and if business managers "give the middle class a better share of the nation’s economic gains... the economy will grow faster." [View news story]
You are absolutely right. But if the study did so, the author failed to mention if the increase was indexed to inflation. Why? Does it serve his argument to show a wide discrepancy? Not only has the 549% increase in wages OUTPACED the inflation rate over the past 25 years, but wages have OUTPACED productivity also over that time period. The 549% increase in wages represents an average annual increase of 7%.
After three "jobless recoveries" in the last twenty years, NYT's Hedrick Smith suggests it's time to take a lesson from Henry Ford. History has proven Ford's virtuous circle to be effective, and if business managers "give the middle class a better share of the nation’s economic gains... the economy will grow faster." [View news story]
I do find some merit in the author's writings, and it pertains to the subject of moral sentiment in business. But, the bottom line in all enterprises is to turn a profit and grow the business. My biggest complaint with all articles from the press, and in particular the NYT, is they always find a need to argue their point with a BOLD FACED LIE! Case in point, a quote from the article. "Although productivity increased by 80.1 percent from 1973 to 2011, average wages rose only 4.2 percent and hourly compensation (wages plus benefits) rose only 10 percent over that time, according to government data analyzed by the Economic Policy Institute. The average wage in the US in 1973 was $7,580.16. In the year 2010, the average was $41,673.83. An increase of 549%. This information can be found under the National Average Wage Index by year at http://1.usa.gov/TaDC59
Financial markets are telling to us to focus on jobs, not deficits, Paul Krugman writes: "Investors are all dressed up with... no place to put their money. So they're buying government debt, even at very low returns... By making money available so cheaply, they are in effect begging governments to issue more debt. And governments should be granting their wish, not obsessing over short-term deficits.” [View news story]
Gee Paul, could it be that investors are just hiding out in government debt because of fear rather than risking capital to the unknown? And by the unknown, I mean public policies both at home and around the world, especially Europe. And don't forget the largest holder of that debt is the Fed.
As corn prices explode in the face of the worst drought in over a half century, ethanol, once touted as the homegrown, eco-friendly replacement for foreign oil, is fast becoming the new product everyone loves to hate. The fact is however, we've come to rely on the corn-based fuel's high octane level as a boost to the sub-grade gasoline currently being churned out of our nation's refineries. The crisis leaves us with two tough choices: higher gas prices, or higher food prices. [View news story]
One other component to the argument against ethanol that gets very little attention is it's depletion of another resource, water.
Why China Matters To U.S. Dividend Income Investors [View article]
I was not comletely clear on this. It only pertains to the fact that China's central bank no longer needs to purchase through a "primary dealer", but can place their bid directly.
Why China Matters To U.S. Dividend Income Investors [View article]
Richard, Please correct me if I am wrong, but I am under the impression that our treasury has implemented a program where China is now buying U.S. debt at negotiated prices that are not public knowledge. If this is true, how will China be able to influence interest rates when they do not purchase from the normal auctions? In other words, they have no bearing at all now on the bid to cover ratios.
President Obama's proposal to extend the middle-class tax cuts before reforming the tax code and entitlements is a "sucker's game," declares Wilbur Ross. There's no trade-off there, it's just the president saying give me what I want, and I'll agree to talk about the rest later. What's being obscured by Washington is that the fiscal cliff issue isn't about taxes and revenue, but that our country is spending way too much. “You can't solve the bulk of the problem with revenues," Ross says. "It’s not going to happen.” [View news story]
"At the end of the day the Repubs lost". No they did not. The balance of power is the same today as before the election. Nothing has changed.
President - Dem
Senate - Dem controlled
House - Rep controlled.
President Obama's proposal to extend the middle-class tax cuts before reforming the tax code and entitlements is a "sucker's game," declares Wilbur Ross. There's no trade-off there, it's just the president saying give me what I want, and I'll agree to talk about the rest later. What's being obscured by Washington is that the fiscal cliff issue isn't about taxes and revenue, but that our country is spending way too much. “You can't solve the bulk of the problem with revenues," Ross says. "It’s not going to happen.” [View news story]
President Obama's proposal to extend the middle-class tax cuts before reforming the tax code and entitlements is a "sucker's game," declares Wilbur Ross. There's no trade-off there, it's just the president saying give me what I want, and I'll agree to talk about the rest later. What's being obscured by Washington is that the fiscal cliff issue isn't about taxes and revenue, but that our country is spending way too much. “You can't solve the bulk of the problem with revenues," Ross says. "It’s not going to happen.” [View news story]
Gold Is Not An 'Investment' [View article]
Thank you for the exchange. Your description of the differences in the two theories is now well understood. You have increased my interest in your MR views and I would like to learn more. Do you have other writings on the subject to view, along with the link you provided.
Gold Is Not An 'Investment' [View article]
Forgive me if I am wrong. But are you not from the school of MMT thought? And is it not true that in reality, MR is your school of thought to explain MMT Cullens way?
Gold Is Not An 'Investment' [View article]
One must always take these MMT theorists with a grain of salt. Of course gold is an investment. It is a hedge against all paper currencies. Otherwise, why would all central banks around the world hold so much of it in their portfolios? Maybe Cullen would like to espouse his theories on this.
Bearishness among heavy-hitter money managers surveyed by Barron's rises to 27%, nearly double the amount from April's poll. As for individual sectors, there's no love for the utilities, with just 1% of respondents picking it as the best-performing industry over the next 12 months, and 20% choosing it as the worst. We've given away the answer, but guess which is today's cover. Feel better, bulls? [View news story]
Initial Jobless Claims: +46K to 388K vs. 365K consensus, 342K prior (revised). Continuing claims -29K to 3.25M. [View news story]
Former Clinton economic adviser Laura D’Andrea Tyson describes how the "vicious circle" of income inequality leads to educational inequality, which then perpetuates the wealth gaps in the U.S. Tyson also notes how poverty is much higher in single-parent families than in those with married parents. But while she wants to increase taxes for the rich and pour money into education, she stops short of advocating policies to strengthen marriage. [View news story]
Who would have ever thought a child needs nurturing parents. Since your wife feels we have come to the point that better education going forward for our children is better parenting, I have an idea for your wife. Have her go to her teacher's Union Boss and suggest all future increases in money intended for schools, instead be funneled toward a new federal program where the money is given to the parents where it must be spent on better parenting skills. We get your wife's frustrations. What we don't get is the constant fight put up by the Unions to choke the competion to public education, i.e. charter and private schools and a parents right to have their dollars go to educate their children in the best way they see fit.
After three "jobless recoveries" in the last twenty years, NYT's Hedrick Smith suggests it's time to take a lesson from Henry Ford. History has proven Ford's virtuous circle to be effective, and if business managers "give the middle class a better share of the nation’s economic gains... the economy will grow faster." [View news story]
After three "jobless recoveries" in the last twenty years, NYT's Hedrick Smith suggests it's time to take a lesson from Henry Ford. History has proven Ford's virtuous circle to be effective, and if business managers "give the middle class a better share of the nation’s economic gains... the economy will grow faster." [View news story]
The average wage in the US in 1973 was $7,580.16. In the year 2010, the average was $41,673.83. An increase of 549%.
This information can be found under the National Average Wage Index by year at http://1.usa.gov/TaDC59
Financial markets are telling to us to focus on jobs, not deficits, Paul Krugman writes: "Investors are all dressed up with... no place to put their money. So they're buying government debt, even at very low returns... By making money available so cheaply, they are in effect begging governments to issue more debt. And governments should be granting their wish, not obsessing over short-term deficits.” [View news story]
As corn prices explode in the face of the worst drought in over a half century, ethanol, once touted as the homegrown, eco-friendly replacement for foreign oil, is fast becoming the new product everyone loves to hate. The fact is however, we've come to rely on the corn-based fuel's high octane level as a boost to the sub-grade gasoline currently being churned out of our nation's refineries. The crisis leaves us with two tough choices: higher gas prices, or higher food prices. [View news story]
Why China Matters To U.S. Dividend Income Investors [View article]
Why China Matters To U.S. Dividend Income Investors [View article]
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I am under the impression that our treasury has implemented a program where China is now buying U.S. debt at negotiated prices that are not public knowledge. If this is true, how will China be able to influence interest rates when they do not purchase from the normal auctions? In other words, they have no bearing at all now on the bid to cover ratios.