He Said, She Said

On June 5, 2017, Bloomberg News reported that, “China plans to halt issuing permits to produce electric vehicles because of concern that additional approvals may lead to a glut in the world’s biggest auto market, according to people with knowledge of the matter.” On June 19, 2017, Bloomberg News reported that, “Tesla, Inc. is close … Continued

Here We Go Again

Recently released data from Freddie Mac revealed that nearly 50% of Americans, who have recently refinanced their homes to take advantage of lower interest rates to reduce borrowing costs, are taking cash out.  This means that the home owner is increasing the principal balance, and reducing equity. This is the height of folly.  Apparently, people … Continued

Can U.S. Manufacturers Compete With China?

It is beginning to look like the answer is yes. Historically, conventional wisdom held that China’s low wage rates were the trump card in manufacturing location decisions.  Things are changing.  While low wages were certainly a major factor in China’s economic competitiveness, low taxes were also a material factor. Today in China, wages are going … Continued

Coal Powered Cars

Is China moving towards using coal to power cars and trucks? Consider: China is the world’s largest importer of oil. China is the world’s largest producer of coal. China has a chronic shortage of electricity. In 2016 57% of China’s electric generating capacity was coal fired. China continues to build new coal generated electricity capacity. … Continued

Taxes and the Gig Economy

There has always been an underground economy, sometimes referred to as a shadow economy, and more recently described as the Gig economy, with the rise of such relatively new activities, such as home and ride sharing. Investopedia defines the underground economy as illegal economic activity.  Transactions in the underground economy are illegal, either because the … Continued

Best Price/Best Experience?

It is probably difficult to overstate the importance of financial prudence and personal responsibility.  We were well advised regarding the importance and practicality of not paying more than absolutely necessary in the book “The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy”, by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko. However, there are times … Continued

Primum Non Nocere

This is a Latin phrase that means, “first do no harm.” Non-maleficence, which is derived from this maxim, is one of the principal precepts of bioethics that all healthcare students are taught in school and is a fundamental principle throughout the world. This approach to the practice of medicine enjoys widespread support and seems to … Continued

Investing in Education

Wikipedia defines investment as the allocation of money (or sometimes another resource, such as time) in the expectation of some benefit in the future. Wikipedia defines education as the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. The foregoing suggests that, before investing a great deal of time and … Continued