‘It’s the Weather…!’

My Comments: The cacaphony of negative comments by Republicans about the Obama administrations efforts re the economy used to be deafening. Now, not so much. As an economist, I’m sensitive to the fact that there are too many variables at play to attribute success or failure to an individual in the White House or to …

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THOUGHT FOR WEEK – April 15, 2015

My Comments: As usual, talking about long-term care with clients, friends and family members is often a difficult conversation. As a financial planner for whom the need for personal long-term care is an increasing possibility, I’m sensitive to articles I run across that offer choices. Here is one of them. I know this looks and …

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Dear Future Me: Please Listen!

My Comments: There's a pharase about not letting the closing door hit you on the ass as you leave the room. It's also a metaphor for life. April 6, 2015 By Bob Seawright Bob Dylan hit on a universal truth when he sang about his son and the attraction of remaining young. May your hands …

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America Will Lose Patience With European Appeasement

My Comments: It is much easier to imagine a future as an extension of the past as seen in our minds than to visualize a future with totally new and different dynamics. This is where I have a problem with leaders like Israel’s Netanyahu, with the likes of Rand Paul and others on the right. …

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The Monetary Illusion

Global Nominal GDP Growth, as Measured in Dollars, Is Projected to Decline My Comments: It has been argued that Wall Street is corrupt and greedy and doing its best to create further income inequality in this country and across the globe. And that as a result, we should hold Wall Street accountable, send people to …

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California Senate Panel Endorses Bill Allowing Terminally Ill To Commit Suicide

My Comments: Modern medicine has resulted in a dramatic extension of life expectancy, but that does not necessarily mean quality of life improvements. I suspect we only see and hear about those over 90 who still manage to work out daily and interact clearly with those around them. I suspect I may not be one …

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The Unraveling Is Gathering Speed

My Comments: Yesterday, I posted an article that suggested what you might expect over the next six years if you are a generic investor. You have money positioned here and there across the globe in traditional investments. Today I post an article that posits further evidence that we have structural problems that need resolution. The …

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Life Insurance and Retirement

My Comments: This is not an easy idea to talk about. The article came from someone critical of Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman, who argue that premiums for life insurance in retirement are an extravagance. Some of the assumptions made by the author can be questioned, but the overall theme is essentially correct. Personally, I’ve …

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Clinton And Gender Politics No Simple Matter

My Comments: Unlike many men, especially those from the Middle East and other parts of the world, I’ve never been troubled by a cultural dictum that says women are inferior. I have no problem responding to real leadership no matter where it comes from. I have other faults but I don’t think this is one …

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Barack Obama’s Gamble on the Future of Iran

My Comments: I must confess to being tired of all the crap going on in politics, whether its local, state, national or international. Increasingly my opinions, concerns, fears, hopes, expectations, etc., seem irrelevant. The temptation is to walk away and try to ignore it. That’s an emotional response and there’s a parallel with my universe …

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