Got caught up a little this weekend, so I'm double posting both today and tomorrow to make up for it. Sorry to inconvenience anyone.
http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/03/news/economy/federal_budget_dean_baker/index.htm
The article is kind of a long read, but the main point the article seems to make is that both Obama and Republican leadership don't have consumers' best interest at heart. The articles blames a lack of demand, coupled with 25 million unemployed, underemployed, or discouraged workers for the state of the economy. The housing bubble drove the markit until 2007, and since then the dropoff in consumption in consumption has led to a 1.2 trillion (10%) drop. Businesses won't hire because government cuts spending- we need more spending to create jobs.
Do you agree or disagree with the article's p.o.v.?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Bankers with brains?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12649269
So Oswald Gruebel is thought to be the only CEO of a banking firm to forgo his bonus this year. Oswald is the chief executive of UBS, a Swiss banking firm. Although UBS shares fell, they outperformed the Stoxx European Banks index' falls of 11.6%. The reason I chose this article is to ask you, if CEO's/upper level management of foreign banks can make such an intelligent sacrifice, why can't ours? Do you think we'll see something like this happen anytime to help alleviate our banking problems?
So Oswald Gruebel is thought to be the only CEO of a banking firm to forgo his bonus this year. Oswald is the chief executive of UBS, a Swiss banking firm. Although UBS shares fell, they outperformed the Stoxx European Banks index' falls of 11.6%. The reason I chose this article is to ask you, if CEO's/upper level management of foreign banks can make such an intelligent sacrifice, why can't ours? Do you think we'll see something like this happen anytime to help alleviate our banking problems?
Friday, March 4, 2011
Losing the information war
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make a sound? Think about the commercials I showed yesterday--blame was assigned to the right or the left. But no one gave good information about the whats and the whys and the choices. It used to be that the media would do it. But I agree with Hilary Clinton: the US media is falling down on the job. See here. Contrast your favorite news network (CNN, MNBC, Fox or whatever) with this Al Jazeera broadcast.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Electric cars not accessible 'in next five years'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12124895
This isn't the longest article, but it should bring up some great conversation topics. One of Obama's chief concerns of America thinking long-term is alternative energy. Without subsidies electric vehicles still look to be unaffordable for the general public. Reducing carbon emissions and dependency on foreign oil is crucial, but the only way these vehicles will have a significant impact is with a pretty substantial amount of Americans being able to afford one. Opinions?
This isn't the longest article, but it should bring up some great conversation topics. One of Obama's chief concerns of America thinking long-term is alternative energy. Without subsidies electric vehicles still look to be unaffordable for the general public. Reducing carbon emissions and dependency on foreign oil is crucial, but the only way these vehicles will have a significant impact is with a pretty substantial amount of Americans being able to afford one. Opinions?
Always two sides to every story...
One of my favorite conservative bloggers wrote a piece that seems to equate unionism to slavery and hits on a few other similar themes. See here. There is a lot of truth and a lot of misinformation in what he says. How do we pick through to see reality?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Midwest, going red?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0218/Wisconsin-protests-why-week-of-rage-matters-to-rest-of-America
Aside from the labor unrest in Wisconsin, analysts are now speculating that there could be further spread from the issue. Analysts are concerned whether or not attacks on unions' ability to collectively bargain (the manner in which they secure their wages and benefits) could be in jeopardy. They fear this could spread to other states, but from the article it seems this fear is based primarily on the large Republican leadership change in Midwestern states, due to coming redistricting in the coming year. Is their fear rationally founded?
Aside from the labor unrest in Wisconsin, analysts are now speculating that there could be further spread from the issue. Analysts are concerned whether or not attacks on unions' ability to collectively bargain (the manner in which they secure their wages and benefits) could be in jeopardy. They fear this could spread to other states, but from the article it seems this fear is based primarily on the large Republican leadership change in Midwestern states, due to coming redistricting in the coming year. Is their fear rationally founded?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Gov Rick Snyder's plan to tackle the MI budget
http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/gov_rick_snyders_budget_reveal.html
Governor Rick Snyder plans to cut MI revenue sharing by 40% in his latest proposal for the MI budget. His plan seems to avoid class favoritism- which is great except for the impact it will have in some instances. Snyder does plan on cutting on the earned income tax credit for low income families. Yet he also plans to restrict high income earners from claiming personal exemptions. These struck me as dicey but also important moves, as, "Eliminating the exemption entirely would bring in nearly three quarters of a billion dollars."
Opinions on these two moves? Or others from the article?
Governor Rick Snyder plans to cut MI revenue sharing by 40% in his latest proposal for the MI budget. His plan seems to avoid class favoritism- which is great except for the impact it will have in some instances. Snyder does plan on cutting on the earned income tax credit for low income families. Yet he also plans to restrict high income earners from claiming personal exemptions. These struck me as dicey but also important moves, as, "Eliminating the exemption entirely would bring in nearly three quarters of a billion dollars."
Opinions on these two moves? Or others from the article?
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