World Affairs
Politics & OpinionsBy jmalmberg
4 weeks ago
February 17, 2010 - Investors have viewed US issued bonds as safe investments for years. After all, the US Government stands behind them and the money raised through their sale helps pay for government programs. What could be safer or more patriotic? We're just investing in ourselves. Well, not so fast. Bond sales are now the primary way that the government is funding its recent massive spending, and it is using accounting tricks to continue to sell them. The current trend is unsustainable. Within ten years, the amount of money being spent on bond interest alone will be significantly larger that the budget for the Defense Department. By purchasing bonds, we continue to help fuel this spending spree. Although individual investors make up a relatively small part of the bond market, (governments and institutional investors make up the bulk of it) it is time to send a message to Washington that the wild spending has to stop and that the American people will not support a government that appears to be speeding towards insolvency. Bonds have a long history within the United States. The first government bonds within the US date back to 1776. During World War II, the United States sold War Bonds to the public to help fund the war effort. And since 1935, the government has had the current US Savings Bond Program in effect. |
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World AffairsPolitics & OpinionsBy Robehren
3 months ago
It seems that the recession has ended; at least for federal employees. While Obama’s pay czar is shaking his finger at CEO’s of Wall Street businesses it seems that more and more federal employees are earning salaries in the six figure range.
Maybe the administration should lead by example and limit pay for federal employees who, according to the following USA Today article, earn on average $30,000.00 more than the average working slob in the private sector.
The article illustrates the hypocrisy that is rampant within our government. While the nation at large is struggling to make ends meet federal employees are enjoying gratuitous raises.
I recommend a stiff shot of whiskey and a couple of Advils before reading the following article:
For feds, more get 6-figure salaries
Average pay $30,000 over private sector
By Dennis Cauchon
USA TODAY
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TechnologyInternetBy gadg8t
3 months ago
Today recession had badly hit the world and shattered the financial stability of several million people. Recession hit consumers have to think twice before buying, their purchasing ratio has reduced drastically, they look for better deals and have diverted to different bands and stores. The attitude of consumption is also changed to quite an extent. The business owners are looking for change in their marketing strategies and reducing the product pricing according to the current economic conditions. The current state of the market is quite unfruitful for both the business owners and consumers. Web research helps to drive out right solutions for the business to keep on working smoothly; it helps the business make right selections. It also helps to find a precise solution for the business to survive and evolve in these tough times.
"First Published Here"
In order to survive the crises it’s essential that one posses a decent knowledge of the industry and product for the survival of the business. Detailed information regarding the available brands in the market provides a chance to grab a share in the market. With the help of web research the current position of the brand can be easily surveyed and studied. Information on vital elements like structure, market size and share of the product can be studied. |
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World AffairsBusiness & FinanceBy JorgenLondon
4 months ago
If you are looking for a job in the current economy, you have probably found that there are fewer jobs and more applicants out there. You might have found that the wheels of recruitment are sluggish at best and ground to a halt at worst. Desperate times call for desperate measures, this article will help you go about your job search in a slightly different manner than usual.
Networking at All Times
Networking has always been valuable, when looking for a job in a recession it’s a prerequisite. Your professional network is made up of the people you have worked with in your career such as past coworkers, managers, clients, suppliers, counterparts and even competitors.
There will be opportunities for you to chat with people at trade shows or sponsored events, make the most of these and make sure you have your 30 second elevator pitch well rehearsed. You need to leave a lasting impression; you need to leave the person you speak to wanting more.
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TechnologyInternetBy MartinZwilling
4 months ago
 Every dark cloud has a silver lining. Many entrepreneurs, especially from Gen Y (Millennials), are jumping into the fray with some new thinking, says one author, Donna Fenn, in her new book “Upstarts! How GenY Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business.” She seems certain that they will trounce the recession and be big winners.
Upstarts! examines and analyses this entrepreneurial revolution to reveal critical lessons every entrepreneur and marketer must learn. Donna describes a new generation of entrepreneurs that is highly collaborative and team-oriented, quick and alert when it comes to new technologies, and hell-bent on changing outmoded business models, and changing the world in general.
But the insights I see from her book and elsewhere are equally applicable to entrepreneurs of all ages, and businesses of all ages. Here are a few of her recession-trouncing strategies that you should apply to your own startup or small business:
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World AffairsPolitics & OpinionsBy jmalmberg
5 months ago
Personal bankruptcy filings are up dramatically in 2009, according to a new report by the Bankruptcy Institute. In September alone, more than 126,000 people filed for bankruptcy. From January to the end of September, 1,046,449 people filed for bankruptcy protection. That number is nearly equal to all of the bankruptcy filings for last year, and there are still three more months to go in 2009. The report projects that more than 1.4 million people will file personal bankruptcy this year. That represents the largest number of bankruptcy filings since 2005, when Congress passed a bankruptcy reform bill making it more difficult for people to declare bankruptcy and walk away from their debts. The two leading causes of personal bankruptcy in the United States are unexpected job loss and uninsured medical bills. Both of these issues have been exacerbated by the recession. In good economic times, when people get laid off they can often find new work and medical insurance quickly. But in the current economic downturn, estimates are that there are now six candidates available for every advertised job. Nationwide, the unemployment rate is currently 9.8% but in many areas of the country the rate now exceeds 10%.
The Stimulus package that was supposed to hold unemployment at 8% does not appear to be working very well.
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TechnologyInternetBy Kim Randall
6 months ago
Times have been tough. People have lost their jobs, their homes and in some cases their sanity. Many have struggled like they have never struggled before, but some have prospered even in a horrible recession. Can we thank the Internet for that? 
Just think about it for a moment...
If you don't have a job, you probably aren't driving too much because you can't afford the gas. You probably aren't spending your nights at the local bar or movie theater.
Here is MY list of ways I think the Internet has saved many people and their families from what could have been even worse than it was/is.
1. Looking for a job no longer requires visiting temp agencies, picking up the local newspaper or driving around aimlessly in search of "Help Wanted" ads. With job search engines, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn (to name a few) some of us have been able to find new and better opportunities. |
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