Alternatives to the $700 billion financial bailout

Despite all the politicking this week, it looks like a bipartisan deal on the $700 billion bailout package (now titled the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008) has been reached. In the revised approach the government immediately provides $250 billion to start buying the MBS and CDO clogging up the …

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Bailout Nation and Future Impacts

To save our economy and the financial future of America, the US government is taking over our financial system by changing the rules and becoming the backstop for all the junk in the current financial system. While this may save our skins in the near term I think it is …

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Five Positive Economic Signs to Cheer

With all the doom and gloom headlines splashed across the financial media it is no wonder that everyone thinks we are headed for the next great depression with little hope of a recovery. Yet there are definitely some positive economic signs out there amid all the negative press – you …

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The Beige Book and the State of the Economy

[Update for June 2010 Beige Book] Economic activity continued to improve since the last report across all twelve Federal Reserve Districts, although many Districts described the pace of growth as “modest.” Consumer spending and tourism activity generally increased. Business spending also rose, on net, with employment and capital spending edging …

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Here we go again – Financial Crisis, Chapter 13

The financial media are again harbingers of more doom and gloom today, citing a Barron’s article and host of so called “experts” predicting that the financial crisis is not only far from over but could actually get much worse, bringing more big shocks to the US economy and stock markets. …

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Oil’s Temporary Respite

As oil prices drop the sense of relief is palpable for most consumers as they see sub $3 gas at he pump. Media headlines have also done an abrupt about turn, with headlines changing from “When will crude hit $200…” to “How fast can oil prices come down..”. The 20% …

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