Tag: Economics

Another slap in the face for tax-happy politicians

A few days ago, I blogged about a New York businessman who’d shifted his domicile to Florida – and thereby saved himself over $5 million per year in NY state taxes. It seems that Maryland has made the same mistake as New York, and is paying the same price. Here’s a two-minute drill in soak-the-rich… Continue reading Another slap in the face for tax-happy politicians

And just why is the bank surprised?

I’m laughing at a report from New Zealand. Police in New Zealand are hunting a couple who disappeared after a bank accidentally paid ten million dollars into their account. Huan Di Zhang and Hui Gao received $NZ 10 million (US $6.22 million) after asking Westpac Bank for a $NZ 10,000 (US $6,220) overdraft, reports local… Continue reading And just why is the bank surprised?

Good for him – but the politicians won’t learn . . .

A New York State businessman has finally pulled the plug on the place after working out what it was costing him to live there. Politicians like to talk about incentives — for businesses to relocate, for example, or to get folks to buy local. After reviewing the new budget, I have identified the most compelling… Continue reading Good for him – but the politicians won’t learn . . .

Is this a worse scandal than Watergate?

I think all of us owe a debt of gratitude to financial commentator Karl Denninger. On his Web site “The Market Ticker” he’s highlighted some extraordinarily disturbing aspects of the bank bail-out mounted last year, and its implications for the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution in this country. They apply to… Continue reading Is this a worse scandal than Watergate?

Odd, but interesting investment advice

I read an opinion column in the Christian Science Monitor with considerable interest. In it, Eric Singer advances the opinion that “when Congress is in session, stock prices tend to stall or fall. When Congress is out of session, they tend to soar”. An excerpt: From 1965 through 2008, looking at a total of 11,000… Continue reading Odd, but interesting investment advice

So much for fiscal responsibility!

I’m trying to shake off a feeling of numb disbelief at the latest figures from our Government. They show that for every $1 the US government will spend this year, a full 50c will be funded by borrowing. According to one report: OMB [Office of Management and Budget] Director Peter Orszag announced Monday that a… Continue reading So much for fiscal responsibility!

Congratulations to NAVAIR on a great idea!

I’ve bitched from time to time on this blog about some catastrophically wasteful and overpriced aircraft programs. It’s therefore only fair that I should give credit where credit is due – and Naval Air Systems Command seems to have come up trumps with a recent program. The Navy’s ‘aggressor squadrons’ act as enemies, opposing regular… Continue reading Congratulations to NAVAIR on a great idea!

Will this become the world’s most expensive car?

A Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, one of only six ever made, is to go under the auctioneer’s hammer on May 15th. (Click the pictures for a larger view.) Speculation is that it’s certain to fetch the highest price ever paid for an American car, and may surpass the all-time record for the most expensive car… Continue reading Will this become the world’s most expensive car?

The environmental consequences of free trade

I’m cynically amused to find that the same environmental activists who campaigned to shut down much of the industry of the Western world, on the grounds that it was polluting the environment, are now finding that the shift in manufacturing to Asia is producing much more, and perhaps worse, pollution, both there and in our… Continue reading The environmental consequences of free trade