Stock market volatility continues and is today’s norm. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell a further 28% to 18,591 on March 23, following its largest one day drop of 1,191 on February 27. Although the March 23 dip was 35% below January’s opening, the DJIA is off a mere 12.3% for the year-to-June 26. […]
Category: ECONOMICS AND POLITICS
Commentary on the economy and politics
Politicians Vying For Credit For Booming USA Economy
Politicians are vying for credit for the genesis of the growing economy (USA). Today, what matters most is that we sustain the economic and job gains. Thus, the government must not meddle with tariffs, tax hikes, and useless rules. Like it or not, lower corporate taxes are good for companies, the economy, and job creation. The converse is […]
Donald Trump’s Trade War Will Create Extensive Direct And Collateral Damage
Trump’s “made in America” crusade will produce unintended results. US firms could make in the US almost everything they need in the US. But some countries can make products as well as the US and at a lower cost. Thus, it is wise to let these countries produce those goods to lower consumers’ costs. That’s why Walmart off-shores, imports, then sells several products at prices people can afford. These imports are in the trade imbalance. Trade figures are unrealistic. They exclude the value of imports by US firms from off-shoring and later selling those items in the US.
Donald Trump Could Hasten The Next Recession But Don’t Panic, It Will Pass
The next recession is overdue. In April 2013, I wrote about the soaring Stock Market and progressing economic expansion. I assumed then that the next recession would start in 2014-15, based on National Bureau of Economic Research data indicating an average business cycle of 66 months. Today, four years later, over 84 months since the […]
University Leaders in North America abandoned Their Role
Why aren’t university leaders leading? They are allowing students to push insane, bizarre, politically correct ideas on everyone in their universities (and colleges). To be sure, university leaders must be careful not to dismiss as political correctness (PC), valid responses by particular groups to subliminal, unconscious, biased behaviors. Racism and sexism are pervasive in society, and sometimes folks aren’t conscious of […]
Greece’s Challenges are Structural not Financial
Greece does not have a financial problem—that’s the symptom; it has major structural issues that more loans won’t solve. Greece has been here before; the country was bailed out in 2010 with accompanying austerity measures that contributed to the current financial strain. Undoubtedly, a difficult journey lies ahead.
Corporate Taxes and Corporate Welfare Destroy Jobs
Burger King and Tim Hortons’ proposed merger ignited calls for more government involvement in failed corporate welfare programs. Happily, a few voices, mainly Republicans, pointed to the real issue that needs addressing: ineffective corporate taxation policies that’s nudging companies to relocate abroad, and causing them to retain significant cash outside the USA.
Wynne’s Mandatory Pension Plan Will Die Like Socialism
Ontario Premier Wynne has the solution to ensure Ontarians retire with decent pensions…force them to join an Ontario government designed plan! This Liberal government has a track record of waste, incompetence, borrowing, lying, and general ineffectiveness; yet, Wynne believes she and her government know what’s best for the population.
Toronto City Hall Waste $75,000 for 30 Chairs
How could a responsible individual or group justify using taxpayers’ funds to buy 30 chairs at $2,500 each? Type of chairs, history, ambience, are irrelevant. The only concern must be the source of funding–we the people. Firing the person responsible does not deal adequately with the underlying cause. A toxic system, a prodigal mindset, disregard for people’s finances, are a few reasons this waste will endure.