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« Previous EntriesIt the economy stupid - 2010
Written by Michael Vass
I realize that most people are getting ready for the holidays and time with family and friends. But for those of us with small businesses this is the time when we start trying to total up the year and plan for next year. To that end, I offer some thoughts.
I have confirmed [...]
Did you think about your 2009 tax bill yet?
Written by Michael Vass
So I was just thinking about something interesting. Obviously President Obama has made a big todo about his Stimulus package. He gave everyone who receives a paycheck (and only those people) some $500 - over several months. In addition his Administration gave out $4500 to those that bought a Government approved vehicle.
But [...]
Success of the Obama Stimulus
Written by Michael Vass
Since there have been so many that are imploring everyone to just be happy with the success of the Obama Stimulus, I thought I might take a moment to list the benefits that have come to the nation. The gains since President Obama enacted the stimulus package have been numerous and widespread.
Besides [...]
The Stimulus didn’t work because of consumers
Written by Michael Vass
As I scanned thru the news I ran into something that caught my eye. A minor article that spoke about the economy, President Obama, and his approval rating. One year on, Obamamania cools to luke warm support says nothing new really, but it hints at something I had not suspected before.
It hit [...]
Examining President Obama and his Stimulus
Written by Michael Vass
I almost feel bad for President Obama. He came out strong with plans to change America. He dove head first, leaping without looking, into Guantanamo Bay, the economy, healthcare, and Afghanistan. He promised a transparent Government, with accountability, and decisive action.
So far he has failed at every turn to provide a single [...]
Don’t believe the facts, believe in President Obama
Written by Michael Vass
I think I get it now. President Obama and leading Democrats are embarrassed. With the complete failure of the Obama Stimulus, Democrats look as dysfunctional and incompetent as their detractors have claimed. So the story has to change.
From before the onset of the Obama Stimulus, I have said it was a bad [...]
The 2nd stimulus - out the corner of your eye
Written by Michael Vass
Michael Scherer of TIME had an article today that I thought was quite interesting. The article Is the White House Planning a Second Stimulus Payout? outlines what the prospects are. And I agree straight down the line, as I did months ago.
The fact is that more and more of Washington DC analysts [...]
How effective is the Obama Stimulus?
Written by Michael Vass
So just before the White House comes out with its victorious cries of success on the Obama Stimulus, I suggest we all look at what really is happening. Yep, time for a bit of math. Something I’m sure President Obama’s supporters will hate.
Right now several States have released the numbers being submitted [...]
Democrats are planning to buy your vote, again
Written by Michael Vass
In the not so far off past, long time readers will recall that I had a post about then candidate-Senator Hillary Clinton. The title was Senator Clinton tries to buy cheap votes with baby bonds.
The issue at the time was the polispeak pitch by then-Senator Clinton to families across the nation. She [...]
CBO confirms the problems with Health Care Reform
Written by Michael Vass
It’s a victory, if you are a Democrat. Then again, the Democrat-led Congress has yet to read any of the Bills being voted out of Congress since the Obama Administration took over. So I doubt they really know what the CBO has just said.
The review by the CBO of the Baucus Bill [...]
Obama Stimulus saved your job - or did it?
Written by Michael Vass
It’s almost funny how the Government can make you feel less intelligent than a 5th grader. I mean if you thought you knew how to add, the Government makes you seriously question that. Because the math they use for some of the things they state is either wrong, or so advanced to [...]
Alcoa - my investment update
Written by Michael Vass
Back on Febrary 24 of this year I was discussing the stock market and economy. At the time I was mentioning my expectations for a continued drag on the market, and that there were several opportunities to be had. One of those opportunities was Alcoa (AA on the NYSE).
At the time Alcoa [...]
American economy: 2nd half 2009 to 2Q 2010
Written by Michael Vass
Once again I am looking forward in time at what I expect to see happen to the American economy in 2009 and the first half of 2010. In past years such reflections have always wound up being 62% or more correct. Something I am of course happy to say, though considering the [...]
Sen. Schumer responds to Michael Vass
Written by Michael Vass
On August 11, 2009 I sent email and written letters to Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, Representative Hinchey, and President Obama about the proposed Health Care Reform Bill currently in Congress. To date there has been only 1 response, from Senator Charles Schumer.
The entire email from Senator Schumer can be seen in the [...]
Results of my 2009 first half economic predictions
Written by Michael Vass
Back in 2008 I made a couple of predictions about how the economy would fare through the 2nd quarter of 2009. That was over a year ago, before the election, before the mortgage crisis really took hold, and before all the bailouts and stimulus packages we now have. How good was I?
The [...]
Visualizing the Obama Administration so far
Written by Michael Vass
Earlier today I was being yelled at by a significant family member. The source of the debate was President Obama, and Democrats more as a side issue. Because all of my immediate family are Democrats, and I am the lone Republican. More to the point, I am the most Conservative of my [...]
Oil, healthcare, middle class taxes and the economy
Written by Michael Vass
Over the weekend I was speaking with a real estate lawyer about the economy. My friend is one of the top corporate lawyers in New York City, as well as the nation. They have worked on multi-billion dollar deals for institutions as large as Citigroup as one example.
Our conversation covered what the [...]
Things to remeber about the Obama Stimulus in 2010
Written by Michael Vass
Every now and again I hear politicians justifying the passage of the Obama Stimulus. Which is something that even President Obama has backed far away from. I mean when was the last time you heard the Obama Administration trying to spout its “saved or created jobs” mantra?
The fact that since the Stimulus [...]
Democrats new plan to pay for health care and the budget?
Written by Michael Vass
With the $600 billion health care “plan” passed by Congress – though no details exist to the plan or its implementation, the first order of importance is getting the money. And when you add in the spending spree Congress and the Obama Administration have been on, well the numbers just get stupid.
I’ve [...]
Democrats admit they know nothing about economics
Written by Michael Vass
Yes, I made that headline. Not that this is anything new to my readers. I have been stating that the Democrat-led Congress had about as much financial knowhow as a wet noodle since Speaker Nancy Pelosi started hinting at a $50 billion stimulus package before the election.
Well the numbers balloned out of [...]
The imaginary and real Obama Administration
Written by Michael Vass
Well I’m still looking for the jobs that the Obama Administration claimed to have “saved or created” since the Democrat-led Congress passed the $787 billion Economic Stimulus Plan early this year. You do recall that plan right?
“On May 27th, President Obama stated that his $787 billion stimulus plan “saved or created” 150,000 [...]
Obama Stimulus costs or keeps $38 million from 344,000 Americans
Written by Michael Vass
Interesting headline isn’t it? The best part is that I can back it up. At least as well as the Obama Administration can back up the jobs they have “created or saved” with the Stimulus package. In fact I can provide better proof. The worst part though is that the money is [...]
Stimulus plan in Binghamton, New York
Written by Michael Vass
Recently I read about a part of the $787 billion Stimulus Plan President Obama has spent, that affects my town of Binghamton, New York. The funds that will be coming to the city is just over $850,000. Not a huge sum, but in a small town like Binghamton it’s a lot.
This money [...]
Investing vs. Trading - the Alcoa example – the follow up
Written by Michael Vass
Back on the 14th of April I decided to make an example of the position I own in Alcoa to demonstrate the difference between trading and owning. At the time I stated
“So here is the experiment. Just for the sake of mental masturbation, let’s assume I sell the stock today for $9.25, [...]
Chrysler - the bad bet of President Obama
Written by Michael Vass
You know what’s really sad about the economy? What really angers me about the bailouts? The way that the Obama Administration, Congress, and the Bush Administration have all wasted our money.
Yes even the anointed President Barack Obama is complicit in the waste of money that has been the bailouts and stimulus package. [...]