Make China the Face of the World Bank

My Comment: There is a lot of hot air out there these days about the threat China might be to the United States going forward. I’m not inclined to think so given the profound economic ties that exist between the two countries. Its been said that the United States cannot stay a great country without …

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In Gaming the Future, Don’t Bet Against the Millennial Generation

At last, another positive item to reflect on! By Thomas P.M. Barnett | 12 Mar 2012 As someone who thinks long and hard about global futures, I participate in a lot of professional forums where experts discuss the growing complexity of this world and question the ability of existing political systems, both democratic and authoritarian, …

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J.P. Morgan Weekly Market Recap – March 19, 2012

This comes from J.P. Morgan. It's the best one I can find, so click HERE.

Designing and Evaluating A Strategy on Alternatives

My Comment: Alternative investments, in my opinion, are a key ingredient in contemporary investment portfolio design. The one hiccup that caught the attention of financial advisors like me was the extent to which bonds and stocks both declined in value in the fall of 2008 and early 2009. We've always tried to diversify a portfolio …

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SSI Is Not Social Security

My Comment: There is increased attention being paid to the myths and truths about Social Security these days, in part because the media and politicians delight in creating confusion, and in part because the baby boomers are now reaching full retirement age and asking real questions. Just last evening, at the meeting of the Gainesville …

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If Taxes Rise, Should You Form An LLC or Incorporate?

My Comment: I was asked a similar question the other day, posed by a distant cousin in England. You have an idea for a business enterprise and among the questions you ask yourself is how it should be structured. This is sometimes an convenient excuse to avoid asking whether the idea has the necessary potential …

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Value for Your Values

Socially responsible investing can be good for your conscience and your portfolio. Studies show that socially responsible investing, or SRI, is becoming increasingly popular. SRI in the United States is now growing at a much faster pace than the broader universe of all investment assets under professional management. From 2007 to 2009, SRI assets increased …

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Vocational Training Is No Substitute For High School

My Comment: Some of you are aware of my continued interest in the welfare of the magnet programs across Alachua County. I’ve been a member of the advisory board to the two programs at Buchholz High School since the mid 90’s. They are, respectively, the Academy of Finance and the Academy of Entrepreneurship. The original …

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What’s Behind those Higher Gas Prices

My Comment: Yesterday, at my usual barbershop, there was a vigorous discussion between the person next to me and his barber about how it was Obama’s fault that gas prices were so high. When I asked how it was possible for him to so aggressively influence the price of oil, I was told that it …

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