July 2008

It can be frustrating each day on the program to deliver a seemingly constantly stream of negative news about the state of the economy and American business. Gas prices are on the rise, home prices are on the decline.   Food costs are soaring, and its nearly a certainty that taxes are going to go higher.   Reason to be upset?  Perhaps.  Reason to be unhappy?  Perhaps not. The next time ... read more

Its the massive problem no politician will touch. Boone Pickens notes that importing foreign oil for our needs costs America about $700 billion dollars per year.   We also know that high gas prices eat into American's pocketbooks.  We hear it daily from politicians, especially the presidential candidates. But if we are doing all this ranting in the name of economics, why then is there ... read more

2008 will now doubt go down as the "year of the Congressional hearing."   Hearings on oil prices in particular.   The modern day witch hunt to find the bad guys that drove up the price.  Never mind that many other commodities -- gold, corn, wheat, fertilizer and housing (I would call similar homes in similar subdivisions in similar towns commodities) -- have also soared in the past 5 ... read more

The Government wants to bail out the American housing market.   This bailout will cost taxpayers perhaps 25 billion dollar or more.  And make no mistake, it will cost all taxpayers.   Even those who own their home outright...rent...or never took a subprime mortgage are going to pay in one way or another. If the government really wants to bail someone out .. lets at least make it a group ... read more

Its often used for political purposes that "the rich" don't pay their fair share of taxes.    (I put 'rich' in quotes because as I pointed out in an earlier post I'm still trying to understand what 'rich' means). I hope that both candidates read this fantastic editorial in the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121659695380368965.html It highlights how supply-side ... read more

Another quick note before the show and before I head off to Nashville this evening.. I went to Atlantic City this weekend for my birthday and stayed at the new Water Club by Borgata.  Fanastic place, by the way and highly recommended. A.C. Expressway was jammed going into town on Saturday.    Stand-still traffic on all 3 lanes heading in.   The hotel was sold out, restaurants were ... read more

Pimco's Co-CEO and Co-CIO Mohammed El-Erian sees more economic trouble for America.  He thinks the banking crisis will continue to morph into a consumer crisis and give us a few more quarters or years of economic trouble.    He does believe though that there is some value in housing related debt, and indeed Pimco has been buyers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debt.   If you missed this ... read more

In an interivew today ThinkEquity Partners CEO Mike Moe discussed a stock that is taking advantage of the push in China to learn English.    Many Chinese feel they need to learn English to better compete in the global business community.  There is also the Olympic movement. Mike's pick is New Oriental Education (EDU).   They own and run English language training facilities in ... read more

Alexis Glick interviewed Congresswoman Michelle Bachman (R-MN) this morning around 8:15am ET and it was a very rare blast of fresh air with regard to the current housing and mortgage crunch.  She has been one of the first representatives to highlight what I have been calling "the punishment of the responsible."   That is, those in America who nothing to do with the problem (housing bubble) ... read more

Another day in which the markets' collective eye will be tuned in to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's Congressional testimony.   Yesterday there were some pointed comments from members of the Senate Banking Committee about the economy, mortgage market and inflation.   It was refreshnig to see Senators doing their jobs and asking tough, relevant questions rather than using the platform and media ... read more