Long-term trends grow from short term trends. We attampt to determine the short term trends and where they are pointing.
Health Insurance- The stated purpose of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka. ObamaCare) is to provide affordable health insurance to everyone. In fact, the program actually penalizes anyone who does not pay for coverage. The largest victims, however, are businesses who fund their own insurance program in order to keep it cost-effective. Assessment for […]
Health Care Reform To Cost Employers Billions Read More »
Natural Gas Trends: Europe- Gazprom has Europe’s natural gas market in a stranglehold and Europe is attempting to fight back, first with a raid last year on the Russian giant’s offices and then with a probe launched earlier this week against its allegedly illicit efforts to control the EU’s natural gas supplies. The bottom line
EU Bites the Hand that Feeds It: Gazprom Bites Back Read More »
Healthy Economy- We often hear phrases that make sense, but have you considered their meaning? One such phrase is a “healthy” economy. How is good or bad “health,” in this context, determined? Well, a healthy economy is one that is productive. Production is the process of creating values that other people in the marketplace want
What is a “Healthy” Economy? Read More »
Keynesian vs. Austrian Economics- Economics is the lifeblood of every nation. How money flows through from employers, to employees, to governments, and back again is the basic idea of economics. There are many different theories on how economics actually works however. Two prominent economic theories that are often hotly debated are Keynesian and Austrian economics. The
Comparing Keynesian and Austrian Economics Read More »
History books call the period after the War of 1812 “The Era of Good Feelings.” America was a young nation that had a sense of purpose. National political strife was at a minimum; optimism was in the air. Major advances in technology and engineering brought the country turnpikes for easier travel and “The Canal Craze”
Financial Changes Can Happen with Lightning Speed Read More »
Fiscal Cliff- We do get these buzz phrases about the economy, don’t we? A special jargon of the financial press and the commentariat, shorthand expressions intended to suggest the speaker has an especially intimate understanding of economic events. Note: See Optio Money’s Financial Jargon directory and Mortgage Jargon Directory for help with the Jargon. Federal
‘Fiscal Cliff’ … an Illusion or Reality? Read More »
Spending Trends- The Olympic Games were an impressive spectacle in London over the last few weeks and analysts predict that it will create world-wide spending ripples.  For instance, the jolliness is expected to contribute $2.6-billion into the Australian economy, the bulk of which is believed to be spent at bars and pubs. And, interestingly enough, this time, it’s the
London Olympics Fueled Aussie Supporter Spending Read More »
Oil Wars- Saudi Arabia vs. Iran- Saudi Arabia has gone on the offensive against Iran to protect its interests. Their involvement in Syria is the first battle in what is going to be a long bloody conflict that will know no frontiers or limits. Ongoing Disorders in the island kingdom of Bahrain since February of
The Endless War: Saudi Arabia Goes on the Offensive Against Iran Read More »
Spotting New Trends- It is said that hindsight is 20/20. It’s easy to think, “If I had just bought apartments in Paris in the 80s, or tech stocks before the bubble, or gold in 2000 or 2001, I’d be sitting on a fortune right now.” The thing is, kicking yourself for lost opportunities doesn’t do
Spotting New Trends: Knowing When to Go Against the Grain Read More »
Facebook vs. Democracy- This year, Facebook will reach 1 billion users — or one-seventh of the human population. It has elicited more participation than any single government in the world other than India and China, and it will probably surpass them in a year or two. And whereas many people are fleeing their governments as
Why Facebook Works, and Democracy Does Not Read More »
