Search found 383 matches
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ben Stein on Fox News
- Replies: 20
- Views: 5254
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New wave of Baby Boomers ready to descend on Florida
- Replies: 16
- Views: 4533
FL is great.
Who doesn't like humidity, hurricanes, lightening, gators, bugs, trailer parks, heat stroke, [political comment removed by Mod Mel], over-development, no real seasons, and gated mausoleums (er, I mean communities).
If you're not a golfer or beach bum, fuggetaboutit.
(Nice in January and February, though, especially in the Keys.)
Who doesn't like humidity, hurricanes, lightening, gators, bugs, trailer parks, heat stroke, [political comment removed by Mod Mel], over-development, no real seasons, and gated mausoleums (er, I mean communities).
If you're not a golfer or beach bum, fuggetaboutit.
(Nice in January and February, though, especially in the Keys.)
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Move for a New Job?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 8059
I have made such moves, and they worked well, since they wre always to a place I like better.
But I don't like Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia is a bit more interesting and cosmopolitan and it's near things, such as NYC and beaches.
Pittsburgh is boring and it's near ... Ohio.
It's a very personal decision, though. (And such decisions are never irrevocable - you can always move back.)
But I don't like Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia is a bit more interesting and cosmopolitan and it's near things, such as NYC and beaches.
Pittsburgh is boring and it's near ... Ohio.
It's a very personal decision, though. (And such decisions are never irrevocable - you can always move back.)
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:14 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 6% Increase in Social Security Next Year
- Replies: 40
- Views: 10900
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Bond Allocation
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1758
Not sure I would confine tax-free to any one state. Since your fed rate is 35% and Missouri is (I guess) 6%, you may not be giving up that much in real yield or by looking for a high yielding low cost no load general tax-free fund for at least most of your money, and it will be safer/less volatile. A general Vanguard fund charging a .15% is likely to be very competitive with a MO fund with a 4.5% upfront load and a .66% high expense ratio. The difference in expenses alone is about .5%, which could be as much as 12%-15% higher yield, which is only a bit more than the state tax savings in the MO fund. You can do the math on a spreadsheet to compare, assuming the same yield for both funds before taxes, expenses and loads. My bet is that the ge...
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: AAA Govt Inflation Indexed BondsMarketTrackingFund Questions
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1963
Why would anyone want an investment that has as its primary benefit tracking inflation in a countries where they don't live? Why not just buy US TIPS? There is a downside as well as an upside risk (i.e., US inflation may be higher or lower than elsewhere), so why take that on since the primary purpose of such bonds is inflation protection (by definition) where you live?
The only reason I can figure is if the two are highly correlated and the inflation measures are more favorable in other countries, but if you don't believe that....
The only reason I can figure is if the two are highly correlated and the inflation measures are more favorable in other countries, but if you don't believe that....
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:31 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Where would be a good place to park a large amount of cash?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1578
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: "The Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America"
- Replies: 45
- Views: 12152
Face it, there is no such thing as a "good" insurance company if by that is meant one that puts its policyholders' interests above its own.
As a businesses, they are always going to do what they can to maximize profits. That generally means minimizing payouts.
Unfortunately, we depend on them for certain products. What a consumer must do is find one unlikely to fail and offering products that suit his needs and budget.
But thinking of them as "good" or "evil", or blaming lawyers for pointing out those that have particularly bad records is really very silly.
As a businesses, they are always going to do what they can to maximize profits. That generally means minimizing payouts.
Unfortunately, we depend on them for certain products. What a consumer must do is find one unlikely to fail and offering products that suit his needs and budget.
But thinking of them as "good" or "evil", or blaming lawyers for pointing out those that have particularly bad records is really very silly.
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:03 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: FDIC Insures Up to 250K, If An IRA
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1097
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ben Stein on Fox News
- Replies: 20
- Views: 5254
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:58 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Peter Bernstein "Three Strikes Against Consumers"
- Replies: 23
- Views: 5467
Consumers (i.e., the poor and the middle class) are taking all the hits, while businesses are doing OK.
A coincidence?
No. The suckers have been asking for it.
The suckers have bought the self-defeating products and ideas sold to them by the corporate interests, who also control the politicians.
The power of mass advertising to sell them junk products and the power of the Washington lobbies and "think tanks" to sell them junk ideas.
A coincidence?
No. The suckers have been asking for it.
The suckers have bought the self-defeating products and ideas sold to them by the corporate interests, who also control the politicians.
The power of mass advertising to sell them junk products and the power of the Washington lobbies and "think tanks" to sell them junk ideas.
- Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:44 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ben Stein on Fox News
- Replies: 20
- Views: 5254
[inappropriate remarks removed by Mod Mel]
He claims to be an economist - he's not. He was a third string speech writer for Nixon, then an actor who used his dull personality as a niche. Now he writes very bad books and newspaper columns, thanks to his Hollywood noteriety for dullness.
His primary talent is following the latest fad and repeating it as if it was an original thought. Especially when he is paid for it.
[inappropriate remarks removed by Mod Mel]
He claims to be an economist - he's not. He was a third string speech writer for Nixon, then an actor who used his dull personality as a niche. Now he writes very bad books and newspaper columns, thanks to his Hollywood noteriety for dullness.
His primary talent is following the latest fad and repeating it as if it was an original thought. Especially when he is paid for it.
[inappropriate remarks removed by Mod Mel]
- Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2008: Non-itemizers can now deduct property taxes
- Replies: 90
- Views: 16527
Yep, it's guaranteed that a flat "fair" tax will cut the taxes of those in the lower brackets. (It must be so the advocates tell us so, and it's "fair", right?) Let's see how that works: We know that if you want to compare it with the current system, it will be revenue neutral, i.e., generate the same revenue as the current system. We also know those in the highest brackets will pay less, by definition. So I guess those in the lower brackets will also pay less, right? No? Come on, we're constantly told it's a "fair" tax, that must be the case. No? We're also constantly told that "flat" and "simple" are the same, that is, we can't simplify the system without making it a flat also. What's wron...
- Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: electric cars
- Replies: 606
- Views: 145537
The resistance to rational change demonstrated here is incredible.
One type of energy is free, limitless, increasingly easy to obtain and clean.
The other is expensive, finite, increasingly hard to obtain and dirty.
But no, it can't be done, it's a dream, it's impractical, it'll take forever.
Let's drill some more holes and go back to sleep, yeah, that's the ticket.
One type of energy is free, limitless, increasingly easy to obtain and clean.
The other is expensive, finite, increasingly hard to obtain and dirty.
But no, it can't be done, it's a dream, it's impractical, it'll take forever.
Let's drill some more holes and go back to sleep, yeah, that's the ticket.
- Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Solar
- Replies: 135
- Views: 24192
Some people, for whatever perverse reason, hate the idea that there will soon be much better ways to produce energy than digging big holes in the ground to get toxic materials to burn. And that those methods are very close to realization, at least for a large part of our needs.
I think the problem they have is they fear that it will be somehow be the triumph of the sanctimonious environmentalists, when after all it will be simply human progress.
I think the problem they have is they fear that it will be somehow be the triumph of the sanctimonious environmentalists, when after all it will be simply human progress.
- Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Kill the McMansion - Agree or Disagree?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7603
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:03 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: penion plans - why LT bonds?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 7020
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:58 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What would you do if your bank failed?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6500
Any financial institution will fail if all the investors suddenly decide to withdraw their funds. That goes for banks, mutual funds, and anyone lending money except the federal government.
I agree banks should not be rewarded for incompetence.
But here's a clue: If the FDIC is taking them over, the bank is going out of business. Whatever their faults, you are not spiting or punishing them by taking your money out as they go under - THEY NO LONGER EXIST.
So blind withdrawals are irrational.
I agree banks should not be rewarded for incompetence.
But here's a clue: If the FDIC is taking them over, the bank is going out of business. Whatever their faults, you are not spiting or punishing them by taking your money out as they go under - THEY NO LONGER EXIST.
So blind withdrawals are irrational.
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Please Help With Parent's Retirement Portfolio
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3670
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: penion plans - why LT bonds?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 7020
My understanding was that Swenson recommends 15% IT bonds and 15% TIPS. Does anybody have any insight into this? I can't see how LT bonds can have less "risk" that shorter term ones unless you choose to define that term very selectively.
Admittedly, the 50/50 mix kind of makes sense if LT protects against deflation and TIPS protects against inflation. Perhaps the less TIPS, the shorter the duration of other bonds you should choose.
Admittedly, the 50/50 mix kind of makes sense if LT protects against deflation and TIPS protects against inflation. Perhaps the less TIPS, the shorter the duration of other bonds you should choose.
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Alan Greenspan warned on the dangers of Fannie/Freddie Mac
- Replies: 16
- Views: 4104
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:09 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2008: Non-itemizers can now deduct property taxes
- Replies: 90
- Views: 16527
The entire mortgage deduction is a regressive boondoggle that rewards a minority and also has the effect of raising the price of housing for all. Renters and those who cannot itemize foot the bill in terms of higher taxes and higher housing prices for the more well-off. Thank you real estate industry. The new deduction tries to redress some of the unfairness, but renters are left out. and it complicates the tax code further.
Better just repeal the entire deduction (perhaps with appropriate grandfathering) to restore fairness and lower prices. Of course, that will never happen - the pols want the campaign contributions and the suckers think the deduction is "free".
Better just repeal the entire deduction (perhaps with appropriate grandfathering) to restore fairness and lower prices. Of course, that will never happen - the pols want the campaign contributions and the suckers think the deduction is "free".
- Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:58 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What would you do if your bank failed?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6500
Any analogy comparing FDIC insurance on a bank in the event of a bank failure and auto insurance in an accident is way beyond silly. The FDIC is not going out of business, and sustaining an injury running into a wall with your car is grossly different than having another bank take over your CD.
And yes, running to the bank to get out your FDIC-insured money, unless you are concerned about immediate liquidity, is by definition panicking and a tribute to the madness of crowds. People worried that they don't "trust" the FDIC should just keep their money under their pillows, because even Treasury notes are not going to be safe enough for them.
But hey, it's your money, you can do with it whatever you feel comfortable doing.
And yes, running to the bank to get out your FDIC-insured money, unless you are concerned about immediate liquidity, is by definition panicking and a tribute to the madness of crowds. People worried that they don't "trust" the FDIC should just keep their money under their pillows, because even Treasury notes are not going to be safe enough for them.
But hey, it's your money, you can do with it whatever you feel comfortable doing.
- Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:49 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Crisis mostly hype? Behavioral element to market.
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2892
Modern markets are based on psychology and belief. Why trust currencies that have no intrinsic value? Why believe that the economy will inevitably grow? Investing is a leap of faith at many levels - in the future of the world, the nation, the government, the economy. Optimism and pessimism are contagious. So why are we surprised when we have bubbles and crashes? Consumerism, which fuels the US economy, is also the product of optimism. Why buy stuff you really don't need, rather than save every penny you can, if you don't think things are not going to somehow turn out all right? The Depression is well-named - I would argue it was fueled by psychological depression and disbelief as much as economics. The fact that in the long run (so far) inv...
- Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:36 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Advice for parents
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2180
The first rule of investing, even before diversification, is to take no more risk than you have to in order to achieve your goals. So it depends on your goals.
That said, Wellsley is 37% stocks, Retirement Income is 26%. At their age and with their apparent needs, minimal exposure to stocks makes sense, so if I had to choose I'd pick the latter. It is also closer to the minimum many people think should be in stocks (20%) and the rule of 110-age (22%-26%).
But do they have to? There are many very safe alternatives with a better yield and return than a Treasury MM and much safer than equities, such as IT bond index funds or laddered 5 year treasuries.
That said, Wellsley is 37% stocks, Retirement Income is 26%. At their age and with their apparent needs, minimal exposure to stocks makes sense, so if I had to choose I'd pick the latter. It is also closer to the minimum many people think should be in stocks (20%) and the rule of 110-age (22%-26%).
But do they have to? There are many very safe alternatives with a better yield and return than a Treasury MM and much safer than equities, such as IT bond index funds or laddered 5 year treasuries.
- Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Solar
- Replies: 135
- Views: 24192
- Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:11 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What would you do if your bank failed?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6500
carigr, only if you need the cash immediately or are not covered by insurance does it make any sense to panic. The mass hysteria of pulling money just makes things worse than they have to be for those who really need the money immediately. For everybody else, the FDIC and its insurance works great. The ONLY thing that might change that is if the number of failures became too great for FDIC to manage in a timely manner, but we are far from that now.
- Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: need some advice on a fund in my 401k
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2035
- Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:06 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What would you do if your bank failed?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6500
Until recently I dismissed the claim that inflation was understated. Now, I think it's true. So do some other people: Bill Gross says "Does it make any sense that we have a 3 percent to 4 percent lower rate of inflation than the rest of the world?.. If Washington understates inflation by one percent, then gross domestic product has been overstated by that same amount." (Gee, they have no incentive to do that, do they?) Paul Volcker told the Congressional Joint Economic Committee that "I think there's a lot more inflation than in those [CPI] figures...Government calculators are much more inclined to say that there are improvements in quality" rather than an increase in inflation." At Charles Schwab & Company, Chi...
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:36 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What would you do if your bank failed?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6500
A total and complete waste of time. A tribute to the madness of crowds.
The only thing that changes is the name on your checks.
Also, as pointed out, the bank that takes over will probably offer you a lower interest rate on deposits. You can take the cash and run.
I once had an S&L fail, then the S&L who took over also failed. I never had to do a thing.
The only thing that changes is the name on your checks.
Also, as pointed out, the bank that takes over will probably offer you a lower interest rate on deposits. You can take the cash and run.
I once had an S&L fail, then the S&L who took over also failed. I never had to do a thing.
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: need some advice on a fund in my 401k
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2035
Don't ,kick yourself. They are a well-respected fund company and the fund you own has been one of the top balanced performers. Their stock and bond funds have underperformed lately as well.
Looking at the morningstar report, I see they took on a bunch of new managers in 2007, just when their performance rankings tanked - balanced went from 13th percentile in 2006 and consistently superior before that to 90th and 9th in 2007 and 2008 - so maybe that had something to do with it, maybe just a run of bad luck.
Looking at the morningstar report, I see they took on a bunch of new managers in 2007, just when their performance rankings tanked - balanced went from 13th percentile in 2006 and consistently superior before that to 90th and 9th in 2007 and 2008 - so maybe that had something to do with it, maybe just a run of bad luck.
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:00 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS Ladder Withdrawals Spreadsheet
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7528
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:38 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS Ladder Withdrawals Spreadsheet
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7528
ddb, I don't have a side in this argument - I tend to agree with you. But the NOLHGA site lists almost 100 insurance companies that states have had to take over since 1983 and I do believe there have been losses in other cases, at least if not backed up by the state. The biggest risk with fixed annuities is inflation, unless one opts for inflation protection, which is also subject to the same definitional whims as TIPS.
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:25 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS Ladder Withdrawals Spreadsheet
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7528
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:14 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Home Equity Loan to Invest for Child's College Tuition?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 5358
A big no, in my opinion. Your priorities should be:
1. Meeting your mortgage obligations
2. Saving for your retirement
3. Paying for your child's college
Face it, your child can take care of of at least part of #3, there are student loans, he may not be interested in college, and you can always help by borrowing later. #1 and #2, however, are up to you and you alone.
1. Meeting your mortgage obligations
2. Saving for your retirement
3. Paying for your child's college
Face it, your child can take care of of at least part of #3, there are student loans, he may not be interested in college, and you can always help by borrowing later. #1 and #2, however, are up to you and you alone.
- Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:06 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS Ladder Withdrawals Spreadsheet
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7528
I would be anxious about the financial soundness of the insurance company, no matter what their rating. However, most states insure at least $100K on an immediate annuity, and you can open multiple insured annuities with different companies, so staying under the limits would be very reassuring.
However, I don't know (1) if a state has ever defaulted on this or (2) how the state would pay off - I assume they would have to determine the present value of the defaulted annuity.
However, I don't know (1) if a state has ever defaulted on this or (2) how the state would pay off - I assume they would have to determine the present value of the defaulted annuity.
- Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Helping my retired parents plan their finances
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2876
"I have also advised them to not plan on leaving any money of their kids. They raised the four of us to be responsible adults, and paid for much or our educational expenses; IMHO, they deserve to spend the rest on themselves." Bravo/Amen Since you don't expect an inheritance and they expect long lives, you might want to consider buying an immediate annuity (NOT a variable annuity) with part of the money. For example, a $100K joint life income (100% to the Survivor) with no payments to beneficiaries would give them over $8K a year guaranteed for as long as either lives. With inflation protection, it would yield less. Stick with very highly rated companies. Most states insure the annuity investment to $100K. I would avoid buying one...
- Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: FDIC insurance above $100K with POD account?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2494
Sounds like it's all covered if I understand your situation but as I am not a banker or lawyer I'd rather not give you a definitive answer on such a specific question. In any case, I may not know every detail. See the FDIC link for a very good tool that will walk you through this. You can also call FDIC per contacts at their site. [url]http://www.fdic.gov/edie/[/url]
- Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: So, My Smart Friend Recommended His Financial Advisor...
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1635
- Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:10 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS Ladder Withdrawals Spreadsheet
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7528
- Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Solar
- Replies: 135
- Views: 24192
hello, you are using current technology standards and very pessimistic assumptions - the only way fossil fuels can be made to look good. Rather than address those in detail (for example, plans in Spain), which others on this board have explained, I will also point out the following: A recent panel of engineers, including Ray Kurzweil and google's founder, say that advances in technology are about to explode with the introduction of nano-engineered materials for solar panels, making them far more efficient. Regardless of any one technology, members of they are "confident that we are not far away from a tipping point where energy from solar will be economically competitive with fossil fuels," perhaps within five years. According to ...
- Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Solar
- Replies: 135
- Views: 24192
Solar
Solar power is accessible through local solar panels. But please be advised that modern solar being pioneered in places like Israel, Spain and California is centralized, using highly efficient banks and towers of collectors. Such configurations can use existing distribution grid, extended to the collectors. (Opposing solar because a baseball might break a rooftop panel is like opposing oil because you would have to dig your own well.) The migration path for all our energy needs is clear: From the current grid, to hybrid vehicles, to non-fossil collectors, to full non-fossil power, to full electric vehicles. We are told by technologists it will happen this way, the only question is when. They also tell us we are closer than we think, the pri...
- Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Diesel-Electric Hybrids
- Replies: 20
- Views: 4210
I don't know what hybrid will work best but the point is that we will evolve to full electric within 25 years unless we go down the garden path of hydrogen. By full electric I mean vehicles powered by batteries rechargeable either from the gird or locally. If the US doesn't do it, Europe or Asia will.
- Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: electric cars
- Replies: 606
- Views: 145537
It is now technically and economically feasible to gradually evolve to non-fossil fuel power. Solar power technical capabilities are doubling every year or two. The US is the "Saudi Arabia" of wind power. Other non-polluting sources are also available, but the only alternative the US government is pushing is ethanol, a bad solution popular with the farm lobby. Ten years is obviously over-optimistic, but 20 is not. The US could easily do this, but we will not, thanks to all pessism of the nay-sayers and brainwashed. The pols in every country owe their power to the status quo, so they will not tell you that, nor will they ask for any further sacrifice. The only pols who will call for appropriate action are those not running for offi...
- Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Looking to invest in something, but I'm totally lost
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1491
- Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Diesel-Electric Hybrids
- Replies: 20
- Views: 4210
First of all, we will never transition from oil to nuclear power. Nukes are part of the solution at best. In the long run, other sources are safer and cheaper.
Second, Hummers, regardless of how they are fueled, should be illegal on public roads, just as tanks are. Unlike trucks they serve no useful public purpose, but are an obvious attempt by aggressive egomaniacal exhibitionists with more money than morals to intimidate drivers of other automobiles. If they want to show off and endanger the safety of others, they should do it on private property not on roads paid for by the taxpayers. Same goes for those recreational vehicles with tires that extend over the hoods of conventional vehicles.
Second, Hummers, regardless of how they are fueled, should be illegal on public roads, just as tanks are. Unlike trucks they serve no useful public purpose, but are an obvious attempt by aggressive egomaniacal exhibitionists with more money than morals to intimidate drivers of other automobiles. If they want to show off and endanger the safety of others, they should do it on private property not on roads paid for by the taxpayers. Same goes for those recreational vehicles with tires that extend over the hoods of conventional vehicles.
- Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Scott Burns' article on oil vs. the USA
- Replies: 48
- Views: 10434
diasurfer, if you are an objective scientist you should know enough to check that ludicrous "fact" out. Ever hear of google? Go do some research. The truth is using today's technology it would require about a 120 by 120 mile desert area to provide all US electrical power needs. The entire world would need about the equivalent of one sixth of the Sahara. But that area could include rooftoops and backyards. That's before the technology improvements forecast by the futurists. In Spain they are constructing six towers of power plants. Each tower will be capable of supplying solar electricity to as many as 200,000 people using a 512,000 square meter collector. Yes, the northeast US may need several times the density given it's lack of ...
- Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: First post, please help build a portfolio
- Replies: 84
- Views: 16085
Well, some of us don't get gold-plated health insurance for life compliments of Uncle Sam, so it's a legitimate concern in the real world. I know a number of people who are working only to preserve their employer-paid insurance or not changing jobs because of it, and another who developed life-threatening health problems because he lost his.
- Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Scott Burns' article on oil vs. the USA
- Replies: 48
- Views: 10434
This is all nonsense. The oil companies must love some of you people for buying their propaganda. We need to realize we don't need and can't afford any more oil, and coal is even worse, since we can't sequester the carbon. The leading objective scientists and technologists tell us so, but they don't have access to the propaganda channels. Digging enormous holes in the ground and burning stuff to create energy, yeah that's the ticket. The fact is that there is no technical or economic reason we cannot phase into the use of solar energy for almost all our power needs, including transport, within 25 years. There are plenty of political reasons though, and the sheep are buying them.
- Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: electric cars
- Replies: 606
- Views: 145537
The US may miss the boat again, thanks to total lack of imagination. Stop reading the oil company ads that try to divert people from real solutions and dependent on burning oil forever. Andy Grove agrees that the electric car is the future: "To start with, the U.S. government should lead the way by requiring that a growing percentage of new cars be built with dual-fuel capability. These dual-fuel cars would have both an electric engine and an auxiliary gasoline engine to augment it." A transition to full electric would then not be far off. In any case, with or without the US government and car makers, it will arrive sooner than people think: Nissan will have an electric model out by 2010 and 60 models, including a Maxima, worldwid...