How to Row a Boat 101

Now that the GOP are realizing that they have been living in an alternate universe, perhaps they should revisit the premises that have guided their delusional voyage towards irrelevancy and obscurity:

•  lower rates do not necessarily mean higher revenues (at least not adjusting from these historical low levels..yes, there are limits to the elasticity of the Laffer curve)
• tax cuts do not necessarily create jobs (perhaps in Asia where a significant amount of investment capital is headed as per the axiom of free markets).

  America--like the rest of the West--have serious structural problems that, if not attended to, will certainly lead to  the demise of the type of society that has enhanced the standard of living of the entire civilization. Ironically, the tenets of free markets have been convoluted  and manipulated to reflect what Adam Smith warned about in The Wealth of Nations. (Smith would mockingly point at Wall Street and say 'I told you so...')

Insurmountable levels of debt--as a result of fiat money--and wealth polarization (a sure sign of an ever strengthening plutocracy) are the most pressing of the macro economic challenges and need to be dealt with immediately. (in case anyone thinks that the polarization of wealth is a healthy thing for society they should look into taking a remedial course in economic history.). Wagering on the longevity of a nation suffering from these two conditions is not considered prudent.
 The challenge will have to be met in an environment where education and vocational retraining will be essential in order to keep America competitive.... a nation with a crumbling infrastructure...a nation with a gargantuan demographic about to saturate the ranks of the retired. This may seem impossible to overcome but Americans--like so many other Western nations--don't have a choice. The time for sophism, extremist ideology, and adhering to policies that are marred with contradictory empirical evidence are about to end--if not by choice, certainly by necessity.
Everyone likes to blame someone else for the problems--which only serves to exasperate the economic and social polarization. We live in a culture where accountability, trust and most other virtues are considered impediments to personal growth--virtues that deter from being able to compete in an ever shrinking quickly changing world. Blame is a waste of energy and time: it is time to find solutions before a less-than-pretty natural solution is rendered upon us.
 How does one find the solution?

• Identify the problem!!!
• How to ascertain the problem?
• Follow the Money!!! 
• Have the balls not to sell out once you have found the root of the problem.
• Formulate a solution in a fair and just manner.

You can only get to an intended destination in a rowboat if both oars are working complimentary to one another--not necessarily in unison--but at the very least in a congruent manner. America has to realize this soon if they expect to continue to live in a nation that embraces liberty. Both wealth polarization and excessive indebtedness lead to forms of slavery. I would hope that both sides of the America political juggernaut can at least initially agree that slavery is not a good thing...but maybe even that is asking too much!!!!!

The Paradox of the Digital Age.

Societies and cultures are in the midst of massive change due to the incredible innovation in the digitization of information. The evidence continues to mount that the Industrial Age is being superseded by the maturing of the Information Revolution. The economic engine of the Industrial Revolution was the capitalist free market system which facilitated the efficient exploitation of natural resources and triggered innovation in mass production resulting in the optimization of the division of labour. While allowing individuals to pursue their self interest in a liberal market environment is not without its darkside, the free market paradigm is largely responsible for the standard of living we in the Western World have enjoyed.

As the Industrial Age fades into history the nascent Information Age continues to use the free market economic architecture. This presents a significant social problem that will have to be dealt with sooner than later. The free market system exploits resources in order to generate profits. This is not necessarily a bad thing if the term 'exploit' is taken purely in economic context--meaning to make the productive use of an asset. But exploitation can also be defined as making use of something in  an unfair and malicious way for one's own advantage. There is a fine line between the two and when  the exploitation of an asset changes its nature there is inevitably  a moral line that has to be crossed. Recent misfeasance on Wall Street testifies to this ongoing dilemma that our society faces.

The problem that arises in the Information Age is that information--digitized data--becomes  the new resource to be exploited for profit. The engines of capitalism no longer solely focus on the exploitation of natural resources or the division of labour, but now values pure information as a marketable economic asset.  Much of our  personal information is now digitized and classified as an economic asset by innovators of technology and by the stewards of the digital highway. Our privacy--the very basis of our liberty--is now subject to exploitation for profit as minerals, oil deposits and labour were in the Industrial Age. This exploitation can be productive in nature or it can be malevolent in nature.

The basic tenet of John Stuart Mill's seminal tome "On Liberty" was the 'Harm Principle'--essentially meaning  to DO NO HARM. Although Mill's work was published during the Industrial Revolution  his  moral and political philosophy has never been more important for our digital culture to embrace. If we allow ourselves to have our privacy exploited in a productive and just manner societies and individuals could reap great rewards. But conversely, if our personal information is exploited in a malevolent manner our liberty will soon be lost. The consequences of the latter will set the stage for  tyranny and a return to serfdom. Who would have ever thought that the advent of the computer could possibly usher in a new Dark Ages. The paradox of the digital age.

Here Are Four Charts That Explain What The Protesters Are Angry About...

Here Are Four Charts That Explain What The Protesters Are Angry About...:

'via Blog this'

This is Why They Hate You and Want You to Die | The Reformed Broker

This is Why They Hate You and Want You to Die | The Reformed Broker

Read and Download the MBA Oath | The MBA Oath

Read and Download the MBA Oath | The MBA Oath:

'via Blog this'

Sheila Bair, FDIC, and the financial crisis : The New Yorker

Sheila Bair, FDIC, and the financial crisis : The New Yorker:

'via Blog this'

American Bankers Do Not Deserve $2.2 Trillion In Pay And Bonuses

American Bankers Do Not Deserve $2.2 Trillion In Pay And Bonuses

The Junkie in the Pool and False Idols: Faith in Wall Street and The Fed Has Eroded

charles hugh smith-The Junkie in the Pool and False Idols: Faith in Wall Street and The Fed Has Eroded

The Second Great Contraction - The Globe and Mail

Politicians would be wise to listen to the Rogoffs--however their myopic egos will likely not allow them to.

The Second Great Contraction - The Globe and Mail

Fiduciary versus suitability standard | Advisor.ca

Fiduciary versus suitability standard | Advisor.ca

My Comment

Although the industry–both domestically and globally–is moving towards a fiduciary standard, care should be taken not to abandon the ‘transactional’ client or a client that willingly trades growth stocks with an advisor who has expertise in this sector–whether it be resource, biotech or hi-tech in nature.
This is slowly becoming an neglected part of the retail industry due to matters of cost and compliance risk. However, it should not be forgotten that venture capital is the essence of the capitalist paradigm–the foundation from which everything else in the industry stems from. The allocation of capital between risk takers and exploration and innovation entrepreneurs is paramount to the success of capital markets.
Obviously, the issue of suitability is an investment principle that has to be clearly established in the opening and operation of a transactional account, but the universalization of a fiduciary standard would not be appropriate or effectual in such instances.
It is important that the industry recognize the importance of the junior resource-technology sectors of the markets and endeavor to accommodate traders and investors who are willing to assume the risks involved–even though it may lead to higher costs and compliance issues–That is the essence of capitalism.

Calculated Risk: Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report

Calculated Risk: Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report

Institutional Fraud Has Taken Over Everything From Mortgages To Markets To Politics

Institutional Fraud Has Taken Over Everything From Mortgages To Markets To Politics

The Country Club.

Once upon a time there was a country club that catered to the crème de la crème of society. Members were apparently blessed with wealth, class, dignity and all the other attributes expected of the elite. Certain protocols were expected to be maintained when the ‘pretty people’ mingled and socialized in the confines of the exclusive club.

One day a garish patron entered the club full of bravado and unmitigated audacity. (Think: Rodney Dangerfield in Caddy Shack) The patron—Mr. Tinman and his mistress Mz. Suchs demanded the best service, repeatedly sending their carefully prepared cuisine back to the kitchen complaining that it was not up to the standards that one would expect for guests of their eminence and import.

Finally after making life difficult for the staff and ruining the meals of the other patrons—to whom they felt infinitely superior—the maitre de presented the bill for the meal. The cheque was in the amount of $13.4 Billion— a reasonable sum considering that the amount really did not matter since it would ultimately be paid by Mr. Tinman’s benefactor,Mr. Federalas, to whom they relied upon to maintain their position in the social strata.

Mr. Tinman complained loudly about the service and the conditions in which he and his guest had to dine. After disrupting the entire evening of the other patrons and belittling the staff, Mr. Tinman grudgingly paid the bill and added a paltry gratuity of $550 million—a mere 4.1% of the bill.

After the obnoxious guests had departed for their summer home in the Hamptons, the staff and management met to discuss what should be done about the frequent visits from Mr. Tinman and his entourage. It was decided that putting up with his crass and discourteous behaviour was unacceptable and that his membership should be revoked at the club.

Upon hearing of this decision, the kindly benefactor—Mr. Federalas--pleaded with the management of the Club to allow Mr. Tinman to keep his membership since if it was revoked the Tinman family would have a hissy fit and make life terrible for everyone that they came in contact with—especially other members of the club.

After some deliberation management acquiesced since they knew that in order to survive they had to accommodate even the spoiled brats that belonged to the club. The members of the club soon became accustomed to the obnoxious behavior of Mr. Tinman and actually some members began to emulate his behavior since it was so entertaining to pretend that membership in the country club meant that you could behave in any manner you wished without regard for others.

Over time the status of the club declined and became a refuge for disingenuous hypocritical ‘low lifes’ who loved to put on airs that they had class and dignity. The staff and management eventually changed and became as obnoxious as the patrons. Everyone lived happily ever after.

Spare Me The Sudden Outrage The Reformed Broker

Mr. Brown posted this to his blog in April of 2010. Cant get a prognostication much more accurate than this.

Spare Me The Sudden Outrage The Reformed Broker

DISGUSTING

The SEC Just Blew It

Robert Rubin: Architect of Doom (excpet for his buddies)

At some point in time the realization that the world has been conned by a group of plutocrats will become painfully obvious--as if it hasn't already.

Institutional Risk Analytics

Income Gaps Between Very Rich and Everyone Else More Than Tripled In Last Three Decades, New Data Show — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Income Gaps Between Very Rich and Everyone Else More Than Tripled In Last Three Decades, New Data Show — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

How's Supply Side Economics Working Out For You ?

The four stated goals of Supply Side Economic Policy
1. Reduce government spending,
2. Reduce income and capital gains marginal tax rates,
3. Reduce government regulation of the economy,
4. Control the money supply to reduce inflation

Government Spending


Effective Individual Income Tax Rates

Adjusted Monetary Base


Wealth Distribution



Total Government Debt as a % of GDP



It seems to be working out rather well for the banks.
Six Giant Banks Made $51 Billion Last Year

And not going away any time soon....

OTC Derivatives: Failed Banks or Failed Nations? - Hera - The Mises Community

This is a comprehensive discussion about the risk that UNREGULATED derivatives play in the world economy. An opinion like this--coming from a strong proponent of the Austrian School says volumes about how badly out of whack Wall Street, K Street and The Beltway have become.

Well worth the read !

OTC Derivatives: Failed Banks or Failed Nations? - Hera - The Mises Community