Hump Day: American Tourist’s Facebook Post About England Has Gone Viral

My Comments: England was my home until 1950, when I first came to the states. I have family there, along with memories of time spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. While proud to be an American, I feel a little glee every time I come across my childhood issued British passport. I understand the …

Continue reading Hump Day: American Tourist’s Facebook Post About England Has Gone Viral

Bernie Sanders Is About as Radical as Harry Truman

My Comments: I have only vague memories of Truman; I was just 12 when he died. My father didn't have kind words for him, but then he didn’t have kind words for any politician. For much of my adult life I’ve thought of myself as a rightward leaning Democrat, but as the country has drifted, …

Continue reading Bernie Sanders Is About as Radical as Harry Truman

Gatorade 50 Years Later

My Comments: I had the pleasure, and the good fortune, to know Dr. Cade personally. Along with other friends and associates, we enjoyed lunch together over countless days. We told stories, talked business, sports, and shared gossip. He was delightful to be with and those days leave lasting good memories for me. The headline of …

Continue reading Gatorade 50 Years Later

“Borrowing” from Retirement Savings

My Comments: There is a fundamental truth to be gleaned from demographics. A great majority of us live well into our 80’s and beyond. And given the nature of our society, it’s better to have more money than less money. Accounts like an IRA, or a 401k or any number of other titles, implies that …

Continue reading “Borrowing” from Retirement Savings

Big Oil Is Changing It’s Mind

My Comments: For me, economics is a fascinating subject. For you, probably not so much. Environmentalists are cheering the announcement by Shell they are abandoning their efforts to drill for oil in the Arctic waters for which they own the rights. Some will attribute this to media pressure about the likely environmental costs, but I …

Continue reading Big Oil Is Changing It’s Mind

More Market Mayhem On Its’ Way

My Comments: History does typically repeat itself. Whether its human frailty or the laws of physics, the past is usually a glimpse into the future. Cries of ‘this time it’s different’ usually prove to be false. It’s not what happens that has a critical effect on your financial future, it’s how you manage the inevitable. …

Continue reading More Market Mayhem On Its’ Way

PPACA and Premium Increases

My Comments: 40 years ago I cut my teeth as a financial advisor, selling health insurance policies to local families. Many of them were employed at the University of Florida and all paid exactly the same premiums. Older folks were effectively subsidized by younger folks, which meant that if what I sold was age sensitive, …

Continue reading PPACA and Premium Increases

The Fed’s Dilemma

My Comments: Last week the Fed board of governors met and nine of the ten voted to NOT raise the Federal Funds Rate. That’s the rate charged to commercial banks who borrow money from the Federal Reserve. It’s the fundamental tool used by the central bank to influence the economy. For those of you who …

Continue reading The Fed’s Dilemma

An Unheralded Force Shaping US Policy

My Comments: I’ve been registered to vote since about 1960. During these 55 years, I’ve managed to cast a vote in almost every election held for which I was eligible. Some of the time, my votes have been positive and others negative. But I’m convinced my participation was meaningful and remains meaningful today. This article …

Continue reading An Unheralded Force Shaping US Policy

Capitalism Can Defeat Economic Inequality

My Comments: I came across this the other day and failed to note the source. As an economist interested in the sustainability of the economy and sensitive to the growing divide between the haves and the have nots in this country, it caught my attention. I'm not saying whomever wrote this is right. I think …

Continue reading Capitalism Can Defeat Economic Inequality