From the category archives:

Economy

What is the Financial Threshold that Compels People to Steal Ridiculous Stuff?

Each time we see gas prices start to move up around $3.50 nationally and higher, the utterly moronic stories start to surface about people siphoning gas out of cars and other seemingly ridiculous thefts. Here are some gems on the topic: Yes, there is actually a website dedicated solely to gas theft www.gastheft.com. Incredible. The [...]

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Everything on Earth Should Have Variable Pricing

I was reading a story the other day about how utility companies are starting to put “smart-meters” on the homes of Americans, in many cases against their will. See, the power grid isn’t very good at “storing” energy, so during the day when businesses are buzzing and everyone’s running their central air units, that energy [...]

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The Inflation Conspiracy? EAT ME

CBSMoneyWatch published a piece of screed this week on the Inflation Conspiracy pretty much mocking and patronizing people who question the value or validity of the government’s official measure of inflation. The author somewhat misrepresents the intent of mainstream inflation critics by saying they “believe that somehow there’s an inflation conspiracy going on, and the [...]

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Outsourcing is Good. It’s Here to Stay. Accept It

Outsourcing has always had a negative connotation in the US. It immediately conjures up images of hard-working Americans out of work because some “foreigner” is willing to do the same job for less. Not only is this a closet xenophopic reaction, but it is economically naive. Societies are best-served when their assets and resources are [...]

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2011 Average Raise – Will Raises Stink Like Last Year?

With equities markets amazingly breaching prior highs already and unemployment slowing dropping to 9% with projections of 8% by year-end, the data is indicating we are firmly in a recovery now. But it still just doesn’t “feel” like that. The mood is somber, employees are still feeling like they’re on the verge of a pink [...]

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Best Places to Work 2011

The Best Places to Work is out from Fortune for the year 2011 (source). Given the time of year when many college seniors are thinking about future employers and looking to land their first job, while college freshmen and sophomores are looking to finalize their major specialization (see this list of the Best College Majors [...]

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Jobless Rate Drops to 9.4% – But What’s the REAL Deal?

I don’t mean to be a perpetual party-pooper here, but the headline number for unemployment looks good today – better, at 9.4%. So, why didn’t stocks rally on the news? Why aren’t people exuberantly rejoicing in the streets? The reason is the way the unemployment number is calculated. What actually helps this number is when [...]

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Breaking: Obama Announces Deal on Taxes, Unemployment, Credits and More

President Obama announced “framework” details on the deal being ironed out between both parties to satisfy pretty much everyone. Everyone’s gonna get their tax cuts, the unemployed will be assured of an extension, estate taxes will not revert to the old rates and more. Here are some details for each provision: Tax Rates -There will [...]

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Renters Subsidize Homeowners with Tax Deduction? Think Again

With all the class warfare rhetoric of late, a popular “subsidy” to knock of late is the mortgage interest tax deduction. One of the largest constituents arguing for removal of this tax deduction is of course – renters. See renters often cite the notion that they are in effect subsidizing homeowners by way to the [...]

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