Obama’s Long, Hot Iranian Summer

My Comments: To deal or not to deal, that is the question. Most people are focused on the political implications of the agreement, and whether it's a good deal for us or not. I'm very concerned about the economic implications as well. My blog post tomorrow talks about the high probability that Saudi Arabia will …

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Obama’s Climate Plan Makes for Canny Politics

My Comments: In keeping with tradition, the President’s critics are having the usual hysterics about his recent announcement designed to reduce carbon emissions. If I were the owner of a bunch of coal mines, I’d probably be unhappy too. But for the rest of us who don’t own coal mines, which is virtually all of …

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More Social Security Mistakes

My Comments: Did you know you can choose from any one of 96 months to start your Social Security benefits? If you live to normal life expectancy, your choice of month can mean as much as several extra $100k for you and your family. The message: don’t sign up without first exploring what is in …

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A Death Blow To An American Industry

My Comments: I rarely post on the weekend, but since it’s August and many of us are driving somewhere for a few days, this seems relevant. It's mostly about the money we pay for gas these days at the pump. But there will be significant ripples across the planet as this plays out. While a …

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Health Care Spending to Increase Moderately

My Comments: There was little talk among the 17 candidates yesterday about trying once again to repeal Obamacare. Why is that? Once again, projected health care cost outcomes are moving in the right direction, downward. Yes, overall spending will increase, but by far less than happened before the PPACA. Just suppose, if over the past …

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The Next Bear Market?

My Thoughts: Like a broken clock that is right twice a day, my talking about the coming market crash will be seen as truth. Some, including me, think the downturn has already started. Something will trigger a free fall, and then it'll start going back up. There are strategies that will help you survive and …

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PPACA Premiums to Rise 4% in California

My Comments: During my 40 years as an insurance agent, I sold my share of health insurance policies. Over these years, it  became normal to see annual premium increases of 6% to 8% every year. These increases were driven primarily by Big Pharma (the drug industry) and by hospitals. For them it was the cost …

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Is it 1929, 1987 or Something Else?

My Comments: Those of us with money we plan to use in retirement have to pay attention to what is happening to the stock and bond market. If nothing else it helps us decide if we want to manage it ourselves or get someone to help us. I think we’re due for a correction. I’ve …

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How to Fix Our Interstates

My Comments: As a resident of Gainesville, Florida since 1959, I remember when I-75 appeared locally. Bud Johnson and I would explore the countryside on our bikes on weekends. Among my memories are a bridge under construction near Warren’s Cave and I-75 was simply a cleared trail through the woods. Another day we found ourselves …

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Social Security Mistakes That Can Be Fixed

My Comments: With so many of us soon to retire, and the not so obvious complexity of Social Security, there comes a time for many when decisions made ask for a redo. Some are possible and this short article describes some of them. If you have yet to claim benefits or are less than 12 …

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