Posts Tagged ‘dollar’
Review: Investment Biker
A few years ago, I read Adventure Capitalist by Jim Rogers. That book so intrigued me that I wanted to read his first book, Investment Biker, about his 1990 to 1992 travel across the globe. Other books intervened, and I only just finished reading this book. Even though it relates events from two decades ago, I found it enlightening, punchy and fascinating. Read the rest of this entry »
Mitt Pitches for the Economy
Mitt Romney, one-time and possibly future Presidential candidate, wrote an op-ed for USA Today yesterday. In it, he outlines his 10-point plan for revitalizing the economy.
Disturbingly, he begins by saying policymakers should ‘repair the stimulus.’ Read the rest of this entry »
Four for Thursday: Articles I’ve Read and You Should Too
Only Supply-Side Can Fix Deficit, by Rich Karlgaard. I do not know enough to evaluate whether supply-side economics works. But policies designed to temporarily prop up demand seem ineffective: whether a short-term or one-time tax cut, or a program like Cash for Clunkers. Sure, we saw a rise in GDP this quarter, but will it last?
Why Gold Matters, by Sham Gad. Mr. Gad offers a nice, crisp overview of the basics of gold investing, including practical pros, cons and alternatives. The article also offers some other good links for anyone wishing to explore the topic in greater depth.
The Army President Obama Has Yet to Deploy, by Cedric Muhammad. This is the first article I’ve read by Mr. Muhammad. I found it erratic and occasionally rambling, but a useful read. He gives some sound counsel to policymakers (drop capitol gains taxes to 10%), but mixes in some oddball ones (increase incentives to hire ex-criminals). His main point resonates though: any recovery will come through the empowerment and enablement of America’s small businesses.
The Dollar and the U.S. Economy, Interview with John Tamny. As always, John makes some excellent point, on gold, trade deficits, the dollar as the go-between currency of the world, among others.
Four for Thursday: Articles I’ve Read and You Should Too
Tough week in the economy, even with the stock market gains: unemployment at 10.2% (and in reality probably much higher); small business lending remains in the dumps; gold hits a record; and the dollar continues to slide, even after Secretary Geithner reaffirms, in words, a strong dollar policy. Below are four great reads:
If Obama Is So Bad, Why are the Stock Markets Up?, by John Tamny, who argues the market has risen in response to President Obama’s key priorities floundering. Perhaps, but this run-up seems quite at odds with broader global economic reality. Is the market due for a fall after its nine-month rise?
Which Will Win Out: Paper or Gold?, by William Rees-Mogg
A Weak Dollar Does Not Create Jobs, by Elizabeth MacDonald. By the way, George Will addresses the dollar’s decline today, a notable event because he does not often address economic matters.
Review of Econoclasts, by Sean Rushton. (Full disclosure: Sean is a longtime friend and former colleague.)
