Leftfield's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/84036/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/177429-shoppertrak-reports-weak-november?source=feed#comment-798703 798703 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:58:00 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/177230-economic-crisis-moving-steadily-towards-denouement?source=feed#comment-798205 798205
Our built in the middle-of-nowhere McMansion housing market may more resemble Dubai. ]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:11:32 -0500
Our built in the middle-of-nowhere McMansion housing market may more resemble Dubai. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177301-loan-modifications-are-a-joke?source=feed#comment-798156 798156 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:40:38 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/177339-global-economies-mental-midgets-and-moral-pygmies?source=feed#comment-798081 798081 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:05:37 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/177257-might-the-consumer-banking-revolution-be-coming?source=feed#comment-798000 798000
This product, by Yodlee, is incredibly overdue. Banks are heedlessly offending and screwing customers while providing a toehold for an equally rapacious, and mismanaged, Paypal.

Can't we get some decent leadership in any large institutions in this country? Their payscale certainly isn't the problem.]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:40:53 -0500
This product, by Yodlee, is incredibly overdue. Banks are heedlessly offending and screwing customers while providing a toehold for an equally rapacious, and mismanaged, Paypal.

Can't we get some decent leadership in any large institutions in this country? Their payscale certainly isn't the problem.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/177133-why-geithner-s-executive-compensation-restrictions-are-effective-policy?source=feed#comment-796589 796589
Caymen Islands inflows are exploding to hide ill-gotten assets from any possible clawback. I know government uses a meat cleaver instead of something more dainty for everything they do, with appalling unintended consequences. However, taxpayers have propped up the whole scheme of obscene compensation at the top and all we have is this unseemly spectacle of boundless greedy feeding frenzies now that the rest of us are stuck with the bill and the worst economy since the 30's. While executive pay hits new records and BAC feels the need to keep up with the Joneses.

Maybe some TARP money gets paid back sooner as a result, but BAC's antics show how longer-term problems get exacerbated heedlessly. That's what happens when you reward the perpetrators of the greatest financial fraud and debacle in history. If Geithner or anyone in government cares to know, executive compensation needs reform that makes upfront pay for delayed disaster a thing of the past.]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:47:21 -0500
Caymen Islands inflows are exploding to hide ill-gotten assets from any possible clawback. I know government uses a meat cleaver instead of something more dainty for everything they do, with appalling unintended consequences. However, taxpayers have propped up the whole scheme of obscene compensation at the top and all we have is this unseemly spectacle of boundless greedy feeding frenzies now that the rest of us are stuck with the bill and the worst economy since the 30's. While executive pay hits new records and BAC feels the need to keep up with the Joneses.

Maybe some TARP money gets paid back sooner as a result, but BAC's antics show how longer-term problems get exacerbated heedlessly. That's what happens when you reward the perpetrators of the greatest financial fraud and debacle in history. If Geithner or anyone in government cares to know, executive compensation needs reform that makes upfront pay for delayed disaster a thing of the past.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176957-fun-ebay-math-what-does-1-4-million-cyber-monday-transactions-mean?source=feed#comment-796543 796543 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:22:58 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/177016-amazon-is-overhyped-and-overpriced?source=feed#comment-795694 795694
Ebay has significant problems. It has been declining for the first time during the last year as best as can be determined. That is, their definition for, say, transactions, the very basic in their business, is unclear. Especially as their UPI (unpaid items) figure is an astounding 10% since management under CEO John Donohoe banned any negative rating of a buyer, including failure to pay. Those may or may not be included in their transaction figures.

Also striking at the heart of the free-market platform that was Ebay, rules have been tightened on sellers to mean, one disgruntled buyer can now eliminate a small seller. Their fees have been jacked up repeatedly, while their visibility has been lowered in favor of mass-merchandise "diamond sellers" who mostly sell ho-hum Chinese products. Unique items, openness, and sales have plummeted in favor of secrecy and 100% positive-rated "buyers" who don't pay.

Donohoe seems bent on aping Amazon, seeking to shrink his customer support team by shedding the small sellers he calls, "noise." However, the site is as confused as the policies and financial statements. Improving that would require focus that present management is incapable of, and expenditures they would rather put in their pockets.

Management is justifiably confused, as their policy of destroying one of the landmark internet concept that was Ebay is looking like a debacle in progress. Expect clear figures only when management has something to brag about. Meanwhile, they are a waste of time and likely dead money.]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:07:52 -0500
Ebay has significant problems. It has been declining for the first time during the last year as best as can be determined. That is, their definition for, say, transactions, the very basic in their business, is unclear. Especially as their UPI (unpaid items) figure is an astounding 10% since management under CEO John Donohoe banned any negative rating of a buyer, including failure to pay. Those may or may not be included in their transaction figures.

Also striking at the heart of the free-market platform that was Ebay, rules have been tightened on sellers to mean, one disgruntled buyer can now eliminate a small seller. Their fees have been jacked up repeatedly, while their visibility has been lowered in favor of mass-merchandise "diamond sellers" who mostly sell ho-hum Chinese products. Unique items, openness, and sales have plummeted in favor of secrecy and 100% positive-rated "buyers" who don't pay.

Donohoe seems bent on aping Amazon, seeking to shrink his customer support team by shedding the small sellers he calls, "noise." However, the site is as confused as the policies and financial statements. Improving that would require focus that present management is incapable of, and expenditures they would rather put in their pockets.

Management is justifiably confused, as their policy of destroying one of the landmark internet concept that was Ebay is looking like a debacle in progress. Expect clear figures only when management has something to brag about. Meanwhile, they are a waste of time and likely dead money.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176957-fun-ebay-math-what-does-1-4-million-cyber-monday-transactions-mean?source=feed#comment-795442 795442
Ebay and Paypal are full of policies that keep getting worse as they become more secretive. Paypal will hold onto money for up to 30 days for a dispute, used to be 10. 10 for an Echeck to clear. Used to be 3-5.

It's even harder to analyze their garbled data than it is their confusing site. None of this gives customers the warm and fuzzies. And, if they ever get any good news, it will be trumpeted loud and clear, because that's REALLY hard for them to come by under John Donohoe.]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:20:58 -0500
Ebay and Paypal are full of policies that keep getting worse as they become more secretive. Paypal will hold onto money for up to 30 days for a dispute, used to be 10. 10 for an Echeck to clear. Used to be 3-5.

It's even harder to analyze their garbled data than it is their confusing site. None of this gives customers the warm and fuzzies. And, if they ever get any good news, it will be trumpeted loud and clear, because that's REALLY hard for them to come by under John Donohoe.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176928-the-financial-meltdown-absolutely-nothing-has-been-fixed?source=feed#comment-794619 794619
The economy; fixed? Only in the sense Al Capone might mean it.]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:02:43 -0500
The economy; fixed? Only in the sense Al Capone might mean it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176895-big-banks-vs-small-banks?source=feed#comment-794425 794425 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:14:37 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176796-positive-financial-innovation-small-business-equity-investing?source=feed#comment-794339 794339
Then there is the public sector co-enabler, which expands from the same "prosperity" produced by Wall St. financialism. This blizzard of paper is now ludicrously backed by only Wall St. and Washington promises. The public sector actively destroys the value-adding productive economy as it extracts ever more tribute while layering on the destructive laws, steps and procedures that are it's "product."

Small business drives value-added new employment and it would benefit our society enormously if products such as the ones in the article and comments were devised and stupid burdens reduced. There are as yet no signs of it as the beneficiaries of our economic demise seem able to continue their now fraud-based plunder to their satisfaction under the present scheme.]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:28:38 -0500
Then there is the public sector co-enabler, which expands from the same "prosperity" produced by Wall St. financialism. This blizzard of paper is now ludicrously backed by only Wall St. and Washington promises. The public sector actively destroys the value-adding productive economy as it extracts ever more tribute while layering on the destructive laws, steps and procedures that are it's "product."

Small business drives value-added new employment and it would benefit our society enormously if products such as the ones in the article and comments were devised and stupid burdens reduced. There are as yet no signs of it as the beneficiaries of our economic demise seem able to continue their now fraud-based plunder to their satisfaction under the present scheme.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176877-creating-jobs-no-excuse-for-wasting-money?source=feed#comment-794096 794096 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:51:00 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176829-government-payroll-data-is-good-trimtabs-begs-to-differ?source=feed#comment-793978 793978
I am concerned that we are sparing no expense to prop up government, which is the main culprit in our woes via direct taxation & fees & rules & steps & procedures and by co-enabling the disastrous antics of Wall St. Not only is this toxic deadweight being kept intact, but their "skills" are being honed. ]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:08:03 -0500
I am concerned that we are sparing no expense to prop up government, which is the main culprit in our woes via direct taxation & fees & rules & steps & procedures and by co-enabling the disastrous antics of Wall St. Not only is this toxic deadweight being kept intact, but their "skills" are being honed. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176855-the-destruction-of-the-dollar-it-s-nearly-inevitable?source=feed#comment-793879 793879
If the economy stages some sort of recovery, interest rates must rise, which will be a put, a brake, since many won't be able to service higher adjustable rates.

The only argument for endless, successful dollar/debt issuance and recovery of our present benighted, unproductive, lie-based economy is that, hey, be positive. This is America, we always come out on top. Uh-huh.]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:32:28 -0500
If the economy stages some sort of recovery, interest rates must rise, which will be a put, a brake, since many won't be able to service higher adjustable rates.

The only argument for endless, successful dollar/debt issuance and recovery of our present benighted, unproductive, lie-based economy is that, hey, be positive. This is America, we always come out on top. Uh-huh.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176844-the-real-reason-so-many-home-loan-modifications-fail?source=feed#comment-793847 793847
Our system is so degraded that truth is whatever those in power say it is. Legions of followers who benefit are only too happy to switch off their brains and consciences to bring us to where we are now. Hard to believe that in America, where things have reached this low pass, they have to get even worse before people wake up. ]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:08:58 -0500
Our system is so degraded that truth is whatever those in power say it is. Legions of followers who benefit are only too happy to switch off their brains and consciences to bring us to where we are now. Hard to believe that in America, where things have reached this low pass, they have to get even worse before people wake up. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176831-jim-grant-on-the-faith-based-dollar?source=feed#comment-793805 793805
Government paper, in all it's forms, is now only meant to last long enough to establish (enthrone) the greediest, most Machiavellian insiders who can play the game of smoke and mirrors the best. While it is still worth something, they get their greedy hands on it first. Most Americans are settling for the crumbs that fall off the table last.

Too many are now rent-seekers themselves, settling for the package of decline and deception that still offers the easiest short-term benefits for them. Only a sufficient number of Americans willing to wake up and act, if only to repeatedly vote out incumbents, may yet save us from the worst of one of history's greatest travesties.]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:38:13 -0500
Government paper, in all it's forms, is now only meant to last long enough to establish (enthrone) the greediest, most Machiavellian insiders who can play the game of smoke and mirrors the best. While it is still worth something, they get their greedy hands on it first. Most Americans are settling for the crumbs that fall off the table last.

Too many are now rent-seekers themselves, settling for the package of decline and deception that still offers the easiest short-term benefits for them. Only a sufficient number of Americans willing to wake up and act, if only to repeatedly vote out incumbents, may yet save us from the worst of one of history's greatest travesties.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176727-economic-data-lets-go-spin-some?source=feed#comment-793217 793217
So, it is logical that the reduction in the potential labor force which magically brought about the lowered BLS unemployment percentage came just in time for the Obama "jobs summit." Potemkin figures for a BS Washington summit. Which mostly features participants who have never had responsibility for a payroll or to sell their wares in a genuine free market in their lives.

Government figures started out as a tool for the productive. Now, we have gone far in our descent towards fraud, where the best con artists rise to the top and need lies and phony paper to back their swindles. Too many Americans think this is what we must accept. Like a foul oder getting stronger, it is getting too hard for more of us to ignore.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:09:36 -0500
So, it is logical that the reduction in the potential labor force which magically brought about the lowered BLS unemployment percentage came just in time for the Obama "jobs summit." Potemkin figures for a BS Washington summit. Which mostly features participants who have never had responsibility for a payroll or to sell their wares in a genuine free market in their lives.

Government figures started out as a tool for the productive. Now, we have gone far in our descent towards fraud, where the best con artists rise to the top and need lies and phony paper to back their swindles. Too many Americans think this is what we must accept. Like a foul oder getting stronger, it is getting too hard for more of us to ignore.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176749-what-s-the-point-of-bashing-bernanke?source=feed#comment-793087 793087 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:07:11 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176782-same-store-sales-for-black-friday-cyber-monday?source=feed#comment-792978 792978
Anyone with experience selling (and buying, as most of their buyers were small sellers) on Ebay has seen a serious shrinkage of unique bargains and in traffic for their own items. Mass merchandisers and retailers have been subsidized in their often high-priced offerings, paid for by usurious increases in rates to remaining small sellers.

I could go on, but CEO John Donohoe is still in place, continuing to inflict inexplicable, yet predictable damage to one of the most successful, subversive merchandising concepts of all time.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:39:40 -0500
Anyone with experience selling (and buying, as most of their buyers were small sellers) on Ebay has seen a serious shrinkage of unique bargains and in traffic for their own items. Mass merchandisers and retailers have been subsidized in their often high-priced offerings, paid for by usurious increases in rates to remaining small sellers.

I could go on, but CEO John Donohoe is still in place, continuing to inflict inexplicable, yet predictable damage to one of the most successful, subversive merchandising concepts of all time.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176756-just-don-t-call-it-a-stimulus?source=feed#comment-792470 792470
The public and magical (subsidized from market forces) sectors would have been raising hell if they were feeling any pain at all. That is another tipoff of where stimulus, er, bailout, er, jobs money is flowing.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:05:13 -0500
The public and magical (subsidized from market forces) sectors would have been raising hell if they were feeling any pain at all. That is another tipoff of where stimulus, er, bailout, er, jobs money is flowing.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176701-unemployment-rate-recedes-worst-of-downturn-is-over?source=feed#comment-792400 792400
I will bet the family farm that Washington will shower plenty of "stimulus" before the elections. Whatever the cost to our descendants and futures.]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:25:18 -0500
I will bet the family farm that Washington will shower plenty of "stimulus" before the elections. Whatever the cost to our descendants and futures.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176703-bullish-manufacturing-report-inventories-now-rising?source=feed#comment-792395 792395 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:10:06 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176658-how-to-get-financial-reform?source=feed#comment-792174 792174
Bank reform means getting in the trenches, slowly slogging through issues the public is expected to forget, by the banksters who are using our money against us.

Perhaps the public, with so many unemployed, with the future dimmed by handouts to the powerful, under a tyrannical government that does nothing to bring Wall St. to heel, may stay awake longer this time.]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:53:54 -0500
Bank reform means getting in the trenches, slowly slogging through issues the public is expected to forget, by the banksters who are using our money against us.

Perhaps the public, with so many unemployed, with the future dimmed by handouts to the powerful, under a tyrannical government that does nothing to bring Wall St. to heel, may stay awake longer this time.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176664-the-costs-of-not-fixing-a-broken-financial-system?source=feed#comment-792163 792163
Presently, the tail wags the dog, the parasite rules the host. The rules followed by the rest of us don't apply to Wall St. and Washington. We must speak truth to power and summon leaders who will exercise it. ]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:03:32 -0500
Presently, the tail wags the dog, the parasite rules the host. The rules followed by the rest of us don't apply to Wall St. and Washington. We must speak truth to power and summon leaders who will exercise it. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176147-book-review-warren-buffett-on-business?source=feed#comment-791672 791672
Also, I am partial to commentaries. When they inform and expand.]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:27:52 -0500
Also, I am partial to commentaries. When they inform and expand.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176641-pirate-economics-the-invisible-hook-by-peter-t-leeson?source=feed#comment-791668 791668 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:21:05 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/175813-perkins-hoodwinked-offers-solutions-to-the-economic-crisis?source=feed#comment-791662 791662
I just heard that the US is putting 9 new bases in Colombia, with financing of weapons purchases coming via IMF. Just another page in the worst of American corrupt, coercive, crony capitalism.]]> Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:13:46 -0500
I just heard that the US is putting 9 new bases in Colombia, with financing of weapons purchases coming via IMF. Just another page in the worst of American corrupt, coercive, crony capitalism.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176617-what-profits-and-revenues-have-to-say-about-economic-recovery?source=feed#comment-790689 790689 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:07:27 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/176341-arizona-maxes-out-line-of-credit-in-two-weeks-flat?source=feed#comment-790261 790261
Check kiting, bubble blowing, iou's, any quick fix suits them, legitimate or increasingly, not. They are a value-destroying drag on the economy that has assumed vast illegitimate powers for itself that has now rendered the host, the American society, so sick that it now consumes the balance sheet while it issues ever greater lies to cover it's transgressions. Why not, it's always worked before.]]> Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:23:58 -0500
Check kiting, bubble blowing, iou's, any quick fix suits them, legitimate or increasingly, not. They are a value-destroying drag on the economy that has assumed vast illegitimate powers for itself that has now rendered the host, the American society, so sick that it now consumes the balance sheet while it issues ever greater lies to cover it's transgressions. Why not, it's always worked before.]]>