Comments for Economist Blog

Comment on Scooped by Muckdog by Steveo

Steveo — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:50:37 +0000

Are you suggesting that Inflation is overstated?

What are you smoking?

Comment on Outsourcing Airplane Maintenance to El Salvador and Personal Household Outsourcing by El-Salvador » So we can play ordinary table tennis....or play for booze! ..and ...

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:32:21 +0000

[…] Outsourcing Airplane Maintenance to El Salvador and Personal …Submitted by CARPE DIEM San Luis Talpa, El Salvador/LA TIMES BUSINESS–Southwest Airlines planned to begin flying planes to this small Central American nation this year — but not with passengers aboard. The carrier wanted to outsource … […]

Comment on The Only Fair Choice: Support FREE Trade by Jill Goble

Jill Goble — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:34:57 +0000

No I don’t agree at all.

Freetrade results in child labour being used, in sweatshop work conditions, in less than living wages being paid. Fairtrade shows up that paying a higher price for basic products results in huge benefits to communites. Freetraders don’t turn down huge subsidies or operating unfair trading practises. They are happy to interfere with market prices and competition when it suits them. But they don’t want to have any conscience when it comes to paying their workers properly and providing good conditions of employment.
Consumers want to buy from socially responsible companies these days and Fairtrade is one example of a socially responsible label. Plans for Green and Social Stock Exchanges are being discussed on Creative Cafe at the moment.
Jill Goble
Volunteer Organiser
Creative Cafe
http://creativecafe.org.uk

Comment on India, Inc. Fights Back Against Anti-Outsourcing Rhetoric With Full Page Ad in Chicago Tribune by Floyd Buenavente

Floyd Buenavente — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:58:13 +0000

It is really sad when the U.S. attacks outsourcing while in reality they make up most of the outsourcing industries.

Comment on Employment Down; It’s Probably Recession by kio

kio — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:29:18 +0000

Funny. CPI graph looks like very similar.
http://inflationusa.blogspot.com/2008/03/phillips-curve-revisited.html
or
http://inflationusa.blogspot.com/2008/03/unemployment-inflation-labor-force.html

Comment on “Antarctic Ice Shelf Disintegration Underscores a Warming World” by Tom

Tom — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:23:52 +0000

A few quick calculations put the size and effect of latest broken piece of Wilkins ice into perspective. Best regards, ClimateSanity

Comment on “Reproductive Outsourcing” Booming In India by Legal Outsourcing to India | Org Legal

Legal Outsourcing to India | Org Legal — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:13:12 +0000

[…] Outsourcing to India started in the early 1990’s with medical transcription being the first known outsourced service. However, it is the IT and call centre outsourcing that really brought the Indian outsourcing industry into limelight. Today Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Companies in India provide services in a wide spectrum of industries including call centre, data management, engineering, financial, healthcare and legal. The most recent addition appears to be reproductive outsourcing. […]

Comment on A Short Course in Canadian Brain Surgery by sgleason

sgleason — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:26:18 +0000

Mr Baker fails to disclose that his fees are paid for by the US hospitals he refers patients to. Reference:http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=272935e1-04fa-4bd8-ac41-8d6183d77c0b&p=1Also most US insurances would not pay for an MRI beore getting a CT and surgery is not usually the first line of treatment for Astrocytoma

Comment on De-Globalization? Musing about Oil Prices and Trade Costs by De-Globalization? Musing about Oil Prices and Trade Costs

De-Globalization? Musing about Oil Prices and Trade Costs — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:21:55 +0000

[…] As Glick and Bergin pointed out, transportation costs depend significantly on oil prices. Bergin and Glick note that ocean freight has been rising with oil prices. BLS price indices for air freight suggest the higher oil prices have indeed fed into higher transport costs. Since 1998Q1, nominal oil prices have rise 180% in log terms, while nominal inbound air freight prices have only risen 40%. To the extent that the development of cross border supply chains relied upon low trade costs and rapid transport, higher oil prices should be expected to retard this process. read more […]

Comment on More Billionaires in Emerging Markets Than U.S. by Stock Market For Beginners

Stock Market For Beginners — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:21:32 +0000

I heard one guy lost over a billion dollars today alone on Bear Stearns!

Comment on A QUESTION ABOUT TODAY’S CPI REPORT by kio

kio — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:49:37 +0000

The behavior of CPI inflation is the USA is a surprise only for those who think that the Fed influence it. On the other hand, current peak in the CPI and the following slow decline are very well predicted couple years ago.

http://inflationusa.blogspot.com/search/label/CPI

Comment on Has the recession started? by Worried American

Worried American — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:10:15 +0000

Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy…. Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars. Transfered FROM US TO THEM. Over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They will never settle for a reasonable share of ANYTHING. They will do whatever it takes to get even richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductible crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. Cashing in on the PR and getting even richer the following year. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Their bogus efforts to make the world a better place can not possibly succeed. Any ‘humanitarian’ progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. So don’t fall for all of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductible contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah, Ellen, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool. WAKE UP PEOPLE. THEIR GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Reaganomics. Their idea. Loans from China.. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit.. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. Brainwash plots on TV. Their idea… Prozac, Zanex, Vioxx, and Celebrex. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed, credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, couch potatoe, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of the above shrink the middle class, concentrate the world’s wealth and resources, and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and politicians. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for any of their ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTIBLE PR CRAP. In many cases, the ‘charitable’ contribution is almost entirely offset.. Not to mention the opportunity to plug their name, image, product, and ‘good will’ all at once. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. These filthy pigs even have the nerve to throw a fit and spin up a misleading defense with regard to ‘tax revenue’. ITS A SHAM. THEY SCREWED UP THE EQUATION TO BEGIN WITH. ITS THEIR OWN DAMN FAULT. If the middle and lower classes had a greater share of the pie, they could easily cover a greater share of the federal tax revenue. They are held down in many ways because of greed. Wages remain stagnant for millions because the executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, and entrepreneurs, are paid millions. They over-sell, over-charge, under-pay, outsource, cut jobs, and benefits to increase their bottom line. As their profits rise, so do the stock values. Which are owned primarily by the richest 5%. I really don’t blame the 2nd -5th percentiles. No economy could ever function without some reasonable scale of personal wealth. But it can’t be allowed to run wild like a mad dog. As more United States wealth rises to the top, the middle and lower classes inevitably suffer. This reduces the potential tax reveue drawn from those brackets. At the same time, it wreaks havok on middle and lower class communities and increases the need for financial aid. Not to mention the spike in crime because of it. There is a dominoe effect to consider. So when people forgive the rich for all of the above and then praise them for paying a greater share of the FEDERAL income taxes, its like nails on a chalk board. If these filthy pigs want to be over-paid, then they should be over-taxed as well. Remember: The richest 1% STILL own 1/2 of all United States wealth EVEN AFTER taxes, charity, and PR CRAP. A similar rule applies worldwide. There is nothing anyone can say to justify that. Anyway, there is usually a higher state and local burden on the middle class. They get little or nothing without a local tax increase. Otherwise, the red inks flows like a waterfall. Service cuts and lay-offs follow. Again, because of the OBSCENE distribution of bottom line wealth in this country. I can not accept any theory that our economy would suffer in any way with a more reasonable distribution of wealth. Afterall, it was more reasonable 30 years ago. Before Reaganomics came along. Before GREED became such an epidemic. Before we had an army of over-paid executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, and sold-out politicians to kiss their asses. As a nation, we were in much better shape. Lower crime rate, more widespread prosperity, stable job market, free and clear assets, lower deficit, ect. Our economy as a whole was much more stable and prosperous for the majority. WITHOUT LOANS FROM CHINA. Now, we have a more obscene distribution of bottom line wealth than ever before. We have a sold-out government, crumbling infrastructure, energy crisis, home forclosure epidemic, 13 figure national deficit, and 12 figure annual shortfall. ALL BECAUSE OF GREED. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, and Bill are not part of the solution.. They are part of the problem. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE HUMANITARIAN. EXTREME WEALTH HAS MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.

Comment on Harley-Davidson To Drive Into the Indian Market by harley guy

harley guy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:55:44 +0000

Pretty good market there. Is China next?

Comment on RULES OF THE GAME by Worried American

Worried American — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:30:09 +0000

Comment on Chief Economic Advisor to McCain: Dr. Phil Gramm by BobKrumm.com » Where is his military advisor?

BobKrumm.com » Where is his military advisor? — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:20:59 +0000

[…] Every candidate has weaknesses. John McCain’s is that he is economically inept. However, in recognition of that limitation he keeps Phil Gramm as a close advisor. Now you might not agree with Gramm’s economic positions, but even his opponents must acknowledge that he is a highly competent economist. […]