From the NY TIMES. A brief overview of relevant Middle Eastern countries on the brink. Of particular interest to me are the population pyramids to the right...The demographics will drive change in that area for several decades. SO YOUNG!!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Apple provides workers a safety net in China---but it is not the kind of safety net you are thinking about...I guess there IS an APP for that!
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| Source: Wired |
""It’s hard not to look at the nets. Every building is skirted in them. They drape every precipice, steel poles jutting out 20 feet above the sidewalk, loosely tangled like volleyball nets in winter.
The nets went up in May, after the 11th jumper in less than a year died here. They carried a message: You can throw yourself off any building you like, as long as it isn’t one of these. And they seem to have worked. Since they were installed, the suicide rate has slowed to a trickle.""Apple outsources the manufacture/assembly of all of its marquee products to a Chinese company called FOXCONN...It has a HUGE facility and employs about 1 million people. They have a history of stress related suicides, apparently from jumping off the buildings...I guess there IS an APP for that!!!!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Keep Your Hands Off My Stinking Toilets!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELDHaeEsNF0&feature=player_embedded
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Nice job, Congress...Can't wait til next month---Record Monthly Deficit...$223 Billion...
Government posts biggest monthly deficit ever
The federal government posted its largest monthly deficit in history in February at $223 billion, according to preliminary numbers the Congressional Budget Office released Monday morning.
That figure tops last February’s record of $220.9 billion, and marks the 29th straight month the government has run in the red — a modern record. The last time the federal government posted even a monthly surplus was September 2008, just before the financial collapse.
Last month’s federal deficit is nearly four times as large as the spending cuts House Republicans have passed in their spending bill, and is more than 30 times the size of Senate Democrats’ opening bid of $6 billion.
Senators are slated to vote this week on those two proposals — both of which are expected to fail — and then all sides will go back to the negotiating table to try to work out a final deal.
It is the entitlement programs and interest payments, Stupid...
That is a play on the words of Pres. Clinton's campaign slogan of 91'. Entitlement programs, primarily Social Security and Medicare, and interest payments on the national debt, will eventually consume ALL of the projected revenues to the Federal Government. This is NOT including paying for other things, like National Defense and ALL other discretionary spending the Federal Government does. We are going to need a bigger boat---load of tax money to pay for this. Notice the year it is projected students---right in your early 30's. The onset of your peak earning years. You better do REAL well, because it is going to be costly..
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The demise of the one dollar bill would be a good thing---not the value, but the paper it is printed on...It is time to go to coinage.
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| Source: Carpe Diem |
The chart above is based on data from the Dollar Coin Alliance (DCA), a coalition of small businesses, budget watchdogs, trade associations, and private companies advocating that the U.S. transition to the dollar coin. The DCA is asking Congress to eliminate the dollar bill in favor of the dollar coin to save billions annually in taxpayer money. According to the DCA:
1. Each year approximately 3.2 billion $1 bills are removed from circulation due to wear and tear. They are not recyclable, so they are shredded and most are deposited in landfills. Dollar coins have a lifespan of 30 years or more, while $1 notes last approximately 2-3 years. A $1 coin that is produced for less than 16¢ would replace 17 bills that would have to be printed for a cost of 47¢.
2. The private sector experiences even greater cost savings and increased revenues from $1 coins. Jammed $1 bills in vending machines cost the industry $1 billion in annual repair costs and lost sales. According to the transit industry, it costs six times more to process $1 bills than $1 coins.
3. Other countries have already recognized the cost savings and benefits of the dollar coin, including Canada, the European Union, and Japan. When Canada transitioned to a dollar coin 25 years ago, the government realized savings more than ten times initial estimates.
4. The United States has one of the smallest denominations of paper currency among the major economies of the world (G-8 Countries). The $1 bill is worth less than any of these other bills except for the Russian Ruble (see chart above).
5. According to a January 2011 poll, Americans favor the transition to a dollar coin by a two-to-one margin once the potential government savings are explained.
The Happiest Person in America has been located! A very unlikely bundle of characteristics...
The happiest person in America has been located!! Sadly, it is not me, but could be...
The Happiest Man in America Goes Viral
The Happiest Man in America Goes Viral
The New York Times asked Gallup to come up with a statistical composite for the happiest person in America, based on the characteristics that most closely correlated with happiness in 2010. Men, for example, tend to be happier than women, older people are happier than middle-aged people, and so on. Gallup’s answer: he’s a tall, Asian-American, observant Jew who is at least 65 and married, has children, lives in Hawaii, runs his own business and has a household income of more than $120,000 a year. A few phone calls later and ...
Meet Alvin Wong. He is a 5-foot-10, 69-year-old, Chinese-American, Kosher-observing Jew, who’s married with children and lives in Honolulu. He runs his own health care management business and earns more than $120,000 a year.
Help Wanted: Economist needed by Somali Pirates to help with peak load ransom pricing. Experience piloting deep sea cargo ships is a plus...
Somali pirates may have reached their limit, at least for now. Security agencies have suggested that Somali pirates are willing to negotiate lower ransoms to release ships they have seized -- because they are running out of room.
Somali pirates have made large swathes of the Indian Ocean a no-go area, but lately they've become victims of their own success. Security agencies report that pirate groups are more willing to negotiate the release of captured vessels lately -- in large part, experts believe, because their ports at Haradheere, Eyl and Hobyo are choked up with ships.
The pirates are reportedly looking for quicker deals, and seem willing to accept lower ransoms, if it means the ships can be moved on...
Monday, March 7, 2011
A VERY nice interactive graphic comparing state tax rates on various items---very informative!
A terrific interactive to compare states by some vital statistics...I always love to see the comparisons with taxes. It can explain alot in terms of the retail price of various goods.
Free Tax Filing at TurboTax.com
Physics/Math, Economics Majors Ace the LSAT; Criminal Justice, Prelaw Majors Bomb the Test
Want to increase your chances of getting a high score on the test required to get into Law School? Well, if you don't like physics or math, then Economics appears to be the major that best prepares you...LSAT tests your ability to think outside the box and economics sure does that...
""Michael Nieswiadomy (University of North Texas, Department of Economics) has posted LSAT Scores of Economics Majors: The 2008-2009 Class Update on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
Using 1994-1995 and 2002-2003 data, Nieswiadomy (1998, 2006) found that economics majors scored well on the LSAT. These results are frequently posted on university web sites by Economics and other departments. This note, which updates the prior studies using current 2007-2008 data for the 2008-2009 class of students entering law school, finds that Economics majors still perform at or near the top of all majors taking the test. Economics majors (LSAT score of 157.4) are tied for first (with Philosophy) of the 12 largest disciplines (those with more than 1,900 students entering law school). Economics is tied for second (with Philosophy/Religion (157.4)) behind Physics/Math (160.0) in a set of 29 discipline groupings that are created to yield at least 450 students with similar majors.""Source HERE
How much does crude oil factor into the price of gasoline? Two nice graphics break it down for you...We GOTTA get off this stuff!!
These two graphics show the significance of crude oil as an input into the productlon of a gallon of gasoline...We GOTTA get off this stuff...
Source of both graphs HERE:
Source of both graphs HERE:
My Tips for graduating Seniors as they prepare for their first semester of college---the advice is free and worth what you pay for it...
Below are 5 basic recommendations I give to graduating Seniors that I believe will help them succeed in their first semester of college. They are by no means inclusive of everything that they should do, but I believe can form an excellent foudation for success. Whether you are shy and tend to cocoon in your dorm room and not get out, or you have the opposite problem and are too social and don't stay focused enough, I think these can help you. It is free advice and worth what you paid for it...
1. The first month of school join the "___Society" or club that goes with your major...i.e. Economics Society, Math Society, Computer Science Society, etc. Find out where and when they meet. Go to the meetings and participate or just sit in the back of the room and absorb. It is important to make connections with your "own kind", meaning people with the same academic interest as you do. You will meet peers who are ahead of you and you can be important contacts that may pay off for you later. At the minimum, you may meet a friend or two. Also, the professors in your department who may attend these meetings will at least see your face from time to time. This will help you as you progress in your department. You never know what opportunities may open up for you. If the professors see you as interested and ambitious, they will help you out with opportunities that are not well publicized or utilized.
2. Join ANOTHER group that is service/educational orientated and not connected to your major. Most colleges have a zillion of these clubs/groups (This also includes getting involved with a church, if that is your thing). This will expand your circle of friends and acquaintances. If service is not your thing, then intramural sports or some other activity will suffice--just get OUT of your dorm room!
3. Find or start a QUALITY study group. Many times this starts the first day of class. Some students take the initiative and make it known they are starting one. Be careful of the ones you join! Be an active participant and not a distraction. If you get into a study group and they spend the first 30 minutes goofing off, then find another one. Staying on top of your studies is the most important task you have your first semester.
4. Treat college like a job. Do it from 9 to 5 (or 8 to 4, or 10 to 6, etc) 5 days a week. This includes class time. Find a place where you can focus with no distractions. DO NOT GO BACK TO YOUR DORM ROOM! For some students, this works, but I believe for most this is a BAD move--naps are too easy and the internet/gaming is too close at hand. Take an hour lunch break. Don't get into the habit of saying "hey, class just started, I have plenty of time in the semester to get things done". Stay current on your work and even get ahead. What is wrong with going above and beyond in your class and supplementing with additional reading/research in the class you are taking? It IS called "education", after all. If you can maintain this discipline, I believe you will not have to stay up ANY night OR weekends to study. Of course, as with any "job", there may be exceptions when you have to do more at times. You friends will wonder why you never seem to study or cram---you did it while they were napping or otherwise wasting time.
5. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE in getting help with a class you are stuggling with! All colleges have resources to help you keep up, i.e. math labs, orgainized tutorial sessions, help with finding tutors, etc. All professors have Teaching Assistants (TA's) whose primary job is to help students with homework or tutorials. Locate your TA immediately and use them. Most professors are available too, some more than others. Don't be shy about this! You are paying big bucks for your education and this is not high school any more. Where I have to call your parents and give you a gazillion chances, college is different. You are responsible for yourself 100%.
Remember, these are only suggestions. I understand there are exceptions and "what if's". Do one, two, three or all five. In any combination I hope this will be helpful as you start from scratch as a Freshman again...
1. The first month of school join the "___Society" or club that goes with your major...i.e. Economics Society, Math Society, Computer Science Society, etc. Find out where and when they meet. Go to the meetings and participate or just sit in the back of the room and absorb. It is important to make connections with your "own kind", meaning people with the same academic interest as you do. You will meet peers who are ahead of you and you can be important contacts that may pay off for you later. At the minimum, you may meet a friend or two. Also, the professors in your department who may attend these meetings will at least see your face from time to time. This will help you as you progress in your department. You never know what opportunities may open up for you. If the professors see you as interested and ambitious, they will help you out with opportunities that are not well publicized or utilized.
2. Join ANOTHER group that is service/educational orientated and not connected to your major. Most colleges have a zillion of these clubs/groups (This also includes getting involved with a church, if that is your thing). This will expand your circle of friends and acquaintances. If service is not your thing, then intramural sports or some other activity will suffice--just get OUT of your dorm room!
3. Find or start a QUALITY study group. Many times this starts the first day of class. Some students take the initiative and make it known they are starting one. Be careful of the ones you join! Be an active participant and not a distraction. If you get into a study group and they spend the first 30 minutes goofing off, then find another one. Staying on top of your studies is the most important task you have your first semester.
4. Treat college like a job. Do it from 9 to 5 (or 8 to 4, or 10 to 6, etc) 5 days a week. This includes class time. Find a place where you can focus with no distractions. DO NOT GO BACK TO YOUR DORM ROOM! For some students, this works, but I believe for most this is a BAD move--naps are too easy and the internet/gaming is too close at hand. Take an hour lunch break. Don't get into the habit of saying "hey, class just started, I have plenty of time in the semester to get things done". Stay current on your work and even get ahead. What is wrong with going above and beyond in your class and supplementing with additional reading/research in the class you are taking? It IS called "education", after all. If you can maintain this discipline, I believe you will not have to stay up ANY night OR weekends to study. Of course, as with any "job", there may be exceptions when you have to do more at times. You friends will wonder why you never seem to study or cram---you did it while they were napping or otherwise wasting time.
5. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE in getting help with a class you are stuggling with! All colleges have resources to help you keep up, i.e. math labs, orgainized tutorial sessions, help with finding tutors, etc. All professors have Teaching Assistants (TA's) whose primary job is to help students with homework or tutorials. Locate your TA immediately and use them. Most professors are available too, some more than others. Don't be shy about this! You are paying big bucks for your education and this is not high school any more. Where I have to call your parents and give you a gazillion chances, college is different. You are responsible for yourself 100%.
Remember, these are only suggestions. I understand there are exceptions and "what if's". Do one, two, three or all five. In any combination I hope this will be helpful as you start from scratch as a Freshman again...
think Qaddafi just either became a Libertarian or joined the TEA Party...I am having a political identity crisis today...
As a quasi-Libertarian (but not a member of the TEA party) I do not welcome this development, but as someone with a sense of humor, I guess I have to welcome him to the club as a tax-cutter... :)..Also, did he just declare "Mission Accomplished"? Guess he does not read the papers either...
Qaddafi's Solution To His Crisis: Tax Cuts!
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| Source: ME! |
Qaddafi's Solution To His Crisis: Tax Cuts!
Libyan state TV announces wide-ranging tax cuts. It says:
""The general public committee has decided to reduce customs on basic commodities to zero per cent and to reduce customs on all other commodities to only five per cent. It also decided to remove all consumption and production taxes. The new changes were made on the occasion of the victory of our great people over the terrorist gangs.""
Nice video on the state of US Manufacturing and the failure of the US to adapt to the changing nature of work in this industry.
HT: Carpe Diem....A nice, short video on the changing face of American manufacturing. The popular focus from the media and politicians is the off-shoring of jobs to foreign destinations. True that. However, the elephant in the room of modern day manufacturing is the way work is done in today's factories in the US--it is high tech and takes different skills relative to old-line manufacturing jobs. They require more education and less phyiscal prowess. The second video is a production of "The Onion" and how trying to save old manufacturing jobs is, well, not in the interests of a 21st century US. (Warning: Some bad language in that video!!)
Obama Promises To Stop America's Shitty Jobs From Going Overseas
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
How to get rich nickel-and-diming...No, REALLY! Get rich with nickels and dimes!!
Hoarding Nickels, Collecting stamps? Is this the best investment for America's working poor?
""US five cent coins contain over 7 cents worth of raw material as of this afternoon, mostly copper and of course, nickel. If there is inflation, the prices of metal will increase, and the coin will have 8, 9, 10 cents worth of metal. Pre-1965 dimes contain over $2.42 of metal today, while pre-1965 quarters have over $6 worth of metal. (http://www.coinflation.com/)
If there is deflation, the coins are still currency at face value. They will always be nickels. There is also no transaction cost for "buying" these coins. Just save them as you get them from change, or pick up $2 rolls at local banks. ""
What do we export? What do we import? Who are our biggest trading partners? So many questions...the answers are just a click away...
A couple of useful graphics on International trade. The first one is a brief look at our top goods that we exported and imported in 2010. The elephant in the room is our import of oil. The only good in double digits by a significant margin.
The second one shows the changes in trade patterns with major trading partners since 1990...The change in TOTAL trade (exports PLUS imports) with China has been remarkable in just 20 years. However, the elephant in the room with this metric is the excess of imports over exports.
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| Source: WSJ |
The second one shows the changes in trade patterns with major trading partners since 1990...The change in TOTAL trade (exports PLUS imports) with China has been remarkable in just 20 years. However, the elephant in the room with this metric is the excess of imports over exports.
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