Republicans Dismiss Latino Concerns At Their Peril

My Comments: I’ve talked before about immigration issues. As an immigrant myself, I’m perhaps more sensitive to these issues, even though I arrived as a child from Europe. My father was looking for a better way to provide for his family and since he had lived here as a child and had a degree from …

Continue reading Republicans Dismiss Latino Concerns At Their Peril

US Should Not Negotiate Free Trade Behind Closed Doors

My Comments: Recently I was reminded that I appear to have strong opinions. This is usually accompanied by a rolling of the eyes, and to which I now hang my head, but without shame. On this topic, I’ve not had an opinion worth talking about until now. I hate it when people bitch and moan …

Continue reading US Should Not Negotiate Free Trade Behind Closed Doors

Exposing The Dark Side of Personal Finance

My Comments: In keeping with the prevailing assumption that anything you see on TV or read on the internet is gospel, financial planners are constantly trying to undo the “lessons” taught by certain celebreties who are more interested in selling books than they are in providing good information. Whenever I’ve attended regional meetings with hundreds …

Continue reading Exposing The Dark Side of Personal Finance

America Could Have Been One Giant Sweden — Instead It Looks a Lot Like the Soviet Union

My Comments: This is a long, uncomfortable article that predicts how the world might evolve economically and politically over the next several decades. My generation will have passed on soon, but regardless of your political stripes today, it will be different. If you want to take back America, or at least preserve what we have, …

Continue reading America Could Have Been One Giant Sweden — Instead It Looks a Lot Like the Soviet Union

Like It Or Not, All Advisors Are Now Fiduciaries

My Comments: In my capacity as a financial planner and investment advisor, I’ve long embraced a fiduciary standard. This means I’m bound morally, ethically and legally to do what, in my professional opinion, is in my client’s best interests. Corporate financial America (Wall Street in general, the insurance industry, money managers, et al) and their …

Continue reading Like It Or Not, All Advisors Are Now Fiduciaries

The End of Florida?

My Comments: I have just two. One is that Florida has about 1350 miles of coastline and that does not include rivers that are somewhat tidal. Two is that if God is all seeing and all knowing, how come he’s only telling some of us to be aware of what’s coming and to properly prepare …

Continue reading The End of Florida?

What Oil Price Is Sustainable?

My Comments: Buying gas for your car at the pump is now an adventure fraught with uncertainty. Is the price going up or is it going down? What can I expect the next time I need to fill the tank? Is there a station on the other side of town willing to lower their price …

Continue reading What Oil Price Is Sustainable?

What It Means to Be a Liberal

My Comments: I no longer make any apologies for being liberal. It does not mean I cannot embrace positions held by conservatives, but on balance, I see myself as being a liberal. As much as anything, I identify this way as I refuse to live in the past. As I age, I have a longer …

Continue reading What It Means to Be a Liberal

Americans Need Jobs, Not Populism

My Comments: This post reflects my values about the role government should play in our society these day. Written by Jack Markell, it is long, congratulatory, somewhat self serving, but is so well articulated that I feel compelled to share it. Another resonance for me happens when I recall the two years I lived in …

Continue reading Americans Need Jobs, Not Populism

Why Poor People Vote for Republicans

My Comments: OK, that's too simplistic, but there is a point to be made here. Back in 2007, with the presidential election cycle in full swing, I recall seeing an old, bent and rusty pickup truck. In the front was mom, dad and 2 kids. The truck bed was full of odds and ends that …

Continue reading Why Poor People Vote for Republicans