That Mobility Thing - Jeff Thredgold / Tea Leaf

One of the common developments in “the olden’ days” of five years ago and earlier was the concept that American workers typically had the ability to be mobile…to move from one geographic area to another…from one state or city to another…in order to fill an open employment position.  What helped in previous years was the fact that one could likely sell their home for more than they paid for it and/or a new employer would provide a reasonable relocation package to assist one’s effort to move.
 
That was then…this is now

The Italian (Non) Solutions - Rodney Johnson - HSDent

2012 is starting off a lot like 2011 finished, with really big problems and laughable solutions.  The latest installment comes from the Italians.

This country is one of the largest in the euro zone, and did a reasonably good job of staying out of the mortgage mess in the mid 2000s.  Their problems, unfortunately, are a lot worse.  They are a graying population with very top heavy social payments.  So with people getting older, few kids, and ever more funds required to make social payments, the government is facing an economic black hole.  This has been realized by the credit markets, who now charge the country of Italy roughly 7% to borrow for 10 years.  The Italian Solution?  Stay open longer.

The Movie Piece - Jeff Thredgold | Tea Leaf

One of the painful realities of life as an economist and professional speaker is that the subject matter of economics is typically viewed (with good reason!) by the general public as confusing, intimidating, and boring. As a result, trying to present weekly economic and financial information with an unusual twist can occasionally be a most welcome change.

Warning!! This week’s Tea Leaf is my semi-annual economic, financial, and political update…using today’s current movie titles. My sincere apology in advance to anyone I might offend.

Please! No more present from Washington! - Rodney Johnson | HSDent

We all have that relative, the one that buys you a terrible Christmas gift every year.  Maybe your idea of a terrible gift is the stupid singing fish (Big Mouth Billy Bass), or maybe it is a blouse or necktie that is heinous.  Perhaps you have a relative that is determined to give your family things that need to be cared for, like puppies and hamsters.  But have you ever had a relative that, every Christmas, gave you debt? What kind of present would that be?  Well, for three years running we have gotten the worst sort of presents out of Washington.