Uncategorized

Stories I'm watching this Thursday: Governors consider rejecting stimulus money Seeking Alpha's excellent breakdown of the Obama mortgage plan Imagine Hollywood celebrities selling Obama's mortgage plan .. it may happen You can also imagine billionaires saving hundreds of millions in the stimulus plan because that, too, may happen Holman Jenkins op/ed on how Democracy ruined the ... read more

Do we have a stimulus split coming? News breaking Wednesday night that a few GOP state governors are considering turning down stimulus money, citing concerns about attached Federal strings and the long-term impact of the borrowed money.   Meantime left-leaning blogs are egging the Governors on, suggesting that if they so opposed the stimulus plan then declining the money is exactly what ... read more

Part of the President's newly announced housing plan is to grow the size and power of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by allowing them to buy more mortgage securities and, theoretically, loosen credit in the housing market.    The Administration wants to help up to 5 million homeowners refinance loans that are backed by these two government sponsored enterprises (GSEs).    The plan would ... read more

Stories I'm watching this Friday: Caterpillar CEO contradicts President, says stimulus bill won't create new jobs right now The market likes the possible mortgage plan to subsidize down mortgages Caroline Baum's excellent opinion piece on if Barney Frank and Maxine Waters were being grilled Politico's list of stimulus winners & losers Another ... read more

Like it or not, the nearly $800 billion dollar stimulus plan is going to pass.   It will likely be signed into law by President Obama next week. While no one can be certain of how it will eventually play out, there is one certainty; there can be no more excuses.  No more blaming lack of money for things we tend to blame lack of money on. Like schools.  Even though America already spends ... read more

Here is the stimulus act in detail.   Thanks to D.C. reporter Rich Edson for this... The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Creating Jobs, Supporting the States and Investing in Our Country’s Future The United States is facing its deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression, one that calls for swift, bold action. The goals of this legislation are the same as they ... read more

Today treasury Secretary Tim Geithner outlined what was supposed to be the 2nd half of the now-infamous Troubled Asset Relief Program, better known as the TARP. Not only has the name changed from the TARP to the much-easier-to-sell-to-skeptical-Americans "Financial Stability Plan," but the plan itself has changed as well.   It has evolved into a pseudo-TARP and has grown to more than $2 ... read more

Here are some thoughts and key points from Tim Geither's speech today at Treasury as they happen... Chris Dodd (D-CT) intros Geithner, takes a swipe at former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, saying he "didn't understand" how important the consumer is.. Dodd says spending a few trillion will give us a "fresh new start" (well, a fresh new start with a few trillion more in ... read more

The President chose to make his first town hall meeting to stump for his economic stimulus package in Elkhart, Indiana.   Elkhart considers itself the "RV (recreational vehicle) capital of America."   Sadly for the cheering folks behind the President in the press conference, his stimulus plan may ultimately do them more harm than good. The President chose Elkhart likely because his ... read more

I try to keep this blog strictly to work related topics.   Personal life is one thing, work another.  But I feel compelled to relay the story of my best friend and ask you to keep him in your thoughts. Many of you may have seen the Fox Business segment "My Hometown" where I traveled to Winchester, Virginia and reported on local stories.   One of those segments introduced you to my best ... read more