wkl's Comments wkl's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/user/612178/comments 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.” http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/669921?source=feed#comment-11678181 11678181 "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.]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:39:56 -0500 "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.” http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/669921?source=feed#comment-11669731 11669731 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:44:18 -0500 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.” http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/669921?source=feed#comment-11669021 11669021 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:18:49 -0500 Gold Is Not An 'Investment' http://seekingalpha.com/article/995771/comments?source=feed#comment-11486601 11486601 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. ]]> Sun, 11 Nov 2012 19:33:08 -0500 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' http://seekingalpha.com/article/995771/comments?source=feed#comment-11481571 11481571 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?]]> Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:23:12 -0500 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' http://seekingalpha.com/article/995771/comments?source=feed#comment-11478091 11478091 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.]]> Sun, 11 Nov 2012 12:11:11 -0500 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? http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/618021?source=feed#comment-10963791 10963791 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:33:23 -0400 Initial Jobless Claims: +46K to 388K vs. 365K consensus, 342K prior (revised). Continuing claims -29K to 3.25M. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/593571?source=feed#comment-10651741 10651741 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:39:54 -0400 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. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/552081?source=feed#comment-9765251 9765251 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. ]]> Sun, 23 Sep 2012 12:36:52 -0400 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." http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/519061?source=feed#comment-9054021 9054021 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:50:41 -0400 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." http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/519061?source=feed#comment-9050221 9050221 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


]]> Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:46:09 -0400 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.” http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/445901?source=feed#comment-7872081 7872081 Sat, 28 Jul 2012 12:22:30 -0400 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. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/445891?source=feed#comment-7871651 7871651 Sat, 28 Jul 2012 12:07:57 -0400 Why China Matters To U.S. Dividend Income Investors http://seekingalpha.com/article/720851/comments?source=feed#comment-7409371 7409371 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 20:09:48 -0400 Why China Matters To U.S. Dividend Income Investors http://seekingalpha.com/article/720851/comments?source=feed#comment-7408691 7408691 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.]]> Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:19:37 -0400 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.]]> Valuations Of Johnson & Johnson, Merck And Abbott Laboratories http://seekingalpha.com/article/707431/comments?source=feed#comment-7178661 7178661 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:40:37 -0400 Valuations Of Johnson & Johnson, Merck And Abbott Laboratories http://seekingalpha.com/article/707431/comments?source=feed#comment-7177091 7177091 I feel that any in depth analysis of ABT going forward should be done with the view as two companies, rather than one. Do you favor either company over the other after the split? I currently have ABT as an investment, and think the split will add value. I will be in a wait and see mode to determine whether to hold both companies or to hold one over the other. Do you have an opinion on make up of this company after the breakup into 2 companies?.]]> Sun, 08 Jul 2012 17:06:49 -0400 I feel that any in depth analysis of ABT going forward should be done with the view as two companies, rather than one. Do you favor either company over the other after the split? I currently have ABT as an investment, and think the split will add value. I will be in a wait and see mode to determine whether to hold both companies or to hold one over the other. Do you have an opinion on make up of this company after the breakup into 2 companies?.]]> 3 Highly Profitable Dividend Stocks That Analysts Advocate http://seekingalpha.com/article/707161/comments?source=feed#comment-7169731 7169731 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:27:51 -0400 Big Copper Developments Will Affect These 4 Stocks http://seekingalpha.com/article/678111/comments?source=feed#comment-6721141 6721141 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 10:42:29 -0400 CSX, Union Pacific, Norfolk Stock All Undervalued http://seekingalpha.com/article/665741/comments?source=feed#comment-6547381 6547381 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:21:48 -0400 Fed Policies: Dr. Bernanke's Monster http://seekingalpha.com/article/409901/comments?source=feed#comment-3200931 3200931 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:26:44 -0500 Not only is further stimulus off the table, but the Fed is likely to emerge from next week's policy meeting with a slightly more upbeat view of the economy, reports Jon Hilsenrath. The fast decline in unemployment has taken Fed officials by surprise, and it could mean more underlying strength in the economy than other data would indicate. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/182971?source=feed#comment-3169181 3169181 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:22:14 -0500 Not only is further stimulus off the table, but the Fed is likely to emerge from next week's policy meeting with a slightly more upbeat view of the economy, reports Jon Hilsenrath. The fast decline in unemployment has taken Fed officials by surprise, and it could mean more underlying strength in the economy than other data would indicate. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/182971?source=feed#comment-3168861 3168861 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:04:14 -0500 Not only is further stimulus off the table, but the Fed is likely to emerge from next week's policy meeting with a slightly more upbeat view of the economy, reports Jon Hilsenrath. The fast decline in unemployment has taken Fed officials by surprise, and it could mean more underlying strength in the economy than other data would indicate. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/182971?source=feed#comment-3167391 3167391 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:45:05 -0500 Fed Policies: Dr. Bernanke's Monster http://seekingalpha.com/article/409901/comments?source=feed#comment-3162721 3162721 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:38:19 -0500 Fed Policies: Dr. Bernanke's Monster http://seekingalpha.com/article/409901/comments?source=feed#comment-3161181 3161181 You are too naive. Do you think this president and this congress will really do what is right? Forced or not. Their idea of a solution is only to bicker and play to their respective ideological bases. On the other hand, if all they do is nothing, maybe a true equilibrium in the markets will be found. Will hurt like Hell though. But I still don't think sound fiscal policy will ever take place under this administration. The conclusion to my thought's are, if our elected officials would have enacted sound fiscal policy after the collapse Ben could have or should have ended monetary stimulus after QE1.]]> Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:14:30 -0500 You are too naive. Do you think this president and this congress will really do what is right? Forced or not. Their idea of a solution is only to bicker and play to their respective ideological bases. On the other hand, if all they do is nothing, maybe a true equilibrium in the markets will be found. Will hurt like Hell though. But I still don't think sound fiscal policy will ever take place under this administration. The conclusion to my thought's are, if our elected officials would have enacted sound fiscal policy after the collapse Ben could have or should have ended monetary stimulus after QE1.]]> Fed Policies: Dr. Bernanke's Monster http://seekingalpha.com/article/409901/comments?source=feed#comment-3160451 3160451 This is one of the best articles I have seen explaining this subject. I would like to add the mad Dr.'s two assistant's, (U.S. Congress, and the President). They have failed to keep up their end of the bargain pertaining to sound fiscal policy. I too agree the Fed should have ended monetary stimulus after QE1. It is easy for the masses to focus on one villian, Uncle Ben. But I am ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, I beleive he has always thought this problem to best be solved by long term sound fiscal policy. But in all seriousness, what really has congress and the administration done since the crisis to promote sound fiscal policy? Did Ben have a choice? Without the President and Congress agreeing on either short term or long term solutions, what was Ben to do? Throw up his hands and say "Oh well I did all I can do"? The true villain's in this story are the elected official's, the congress and the President. Neither of these two villains wanted to take the political risk's to enact the correct policies going forward.]]> Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:41:13 -0500 This is one of the best articles I have seen explaining this subject. I would like to add the mad Dr.'s two assistant's, (U.S. Congress, and the President). They have failed to keep up their end of the bargain pertaining to sound fiscal policy. I too agree the Fed should have ended monetary stimulus after QE1. It is easy for the masses to focus on one villian, Uncle Ben. But I am ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, I beleive he has always thought this problem to best be solved by long term sound fiscal policy. But in all seriousness, what really has congress and the administration done since the crisis to promote sound fiscal policy? Did Ben have a choice? Without the President and Congress agreeing on either short term or long term solutions, what was Ben to do? Throw up his hands and say "Oh well I did all I can do"? The true villain's in this story are the elected official's, the congress and the President. Neither of these two villains wanted to take the political risk's to enact the correct policies going forward.]]> Only In The Washington Post: No Link Between Growth And Jobs http://seekingalpha.com/article/410071/comments?source=feed#comment-3156671 3156671 We do live in a time when our individual thought processes and logic are turned over to the marketeer. We have all lost our ability to reason.]]> Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:27:49 -0500 We do live in a time when our individual thought processes and logic are turned over to the marketeer. We have all lost our ability to reason.]]> The immediate effects of completing the Keystone pipeline may be surprising and counterintuitive: It could increase domestic oil prices, raise prices at the pump, and the oil wouldn't even stay in the U.S. It would go directly from Canada to refineries in the Gulf region en route to export in Latin America and Europe; the U.S. would be used as little more than a transit corridor. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/182651?source=feed#comment-3140091 3140091 Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:25:15 -0500 The immediate effects of completing the Keystone pipeline may be surprising and counterintuitive: It could increase domestic oil prices, raise prices at the pump, and the oil wouldn't even stay in the U.S. It would go directly from Canada to refineries in the Gulf region en route to export in Latin America and Europe; the U.S. would be used as little more than a transit corridor. http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/182651?source=feed#comment-3137001 3137001 Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:55:16 -0500