31 August 2011

 

Commentary on Global Political and Economic Events by Slim Fairview
Please also see also http://slimviews.blogspot.com/  Please do click the follow button for The Journal--and please email a link to your friends.  Thank you.

Slim

Armed only with an analytical mind and the ability to speak in metaphors, I attempt to explain the events of the day as I view them through the magic glasses my parents gave me over 50 years ago. Regards, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

The Multiplier Effect--Illustrated--for non-economists. (And for economists) slideshare.net/slimfairview/t…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Global Management: A shift in the paradigm of corporate America slideshare.net/slimfairview/g…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@BusinessPlanWeb Thank you for the retweet. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@capflowwatch Money does not replace management 2.0 slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-ca…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@capflowwatch Money does not replace management. slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-ca…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

The Future of the G 20 in Good Times and Bad slideshare.net/slimfairview/t…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Germany, Latvia visited slimviews.blogspot.com Thank you. Sincerely, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

lnkd.in/zpYAJB It depends on your audience. When I first became a freelance website designer, a potential client said I looked...

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@CILogistics Thanks 4 the follow. Please visit & (?) follow slimviews.blogspot.com & sidestreetjournal.blogspot.com Thanks again, Sincerely, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Nuclear Power Has Lost Its Lustre, But Not Its Glo... slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/nuclea…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Memo to Big Oil slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/memo-t…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

slimviews: Memo to Big Oil slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/memo-t…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

slimviews: Wolf Blitzer Buys a New Suit: How to fix the econ... slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/wolf-b…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

slimviews: EuroCrisis: Hocus Pocus--Focus! slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/eurocr…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

slimviews: EuroCrisis Analogy slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/eurocr…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Dollar General Golden Goose: Cheap Stuff. Okay kill the goose, lose the golden eggs. (The goose? Low prices!)

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Govt. Backed Solar plans no guarantee. SLIM TO THE RESCUE! Hey, Big Oil, earn points investing obscene profits in solar. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Okay, don't anyone send me an iPad. Send me an hp touch pad. See? I saved you a bundle already. That kind of help deserves a reward. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Will the EuroCrats discover that their problem solving PROCESS isn't working and try a new approach? But we have EXPERIENCE doing it wrong!

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

India Growth cools. Now is the time to prepare a comprehensive economic development and growth project. No. Don't. It might help.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Poland Economy doing Well. Infrastructure spending is part of the plan. I wonder if that could work elsewhere. Better say nothing. I might.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

EuroMembers, fearing that a solution may be possible are working hard 2 block any efforts 2 solve the crisis. Sounds a lot like our Congress

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Germany demands bailout veto. Now other countries want same. Thanks a lot. At least there's a plan. "Let's block efforts to solve problems"

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Japan: 6th prime minister in 5 years. Vows a cabinet to promote unity. How about a cabinet to promote leadership, growth, progress?

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Deficit Reduction Panels names Tax Expert as staff director. HOW ABOUT A JOBS EXPERT? ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT! REMEMBER?

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Investigatory Panel: US Failed 2 make adequate gains in counter terrorism. Like letting the panel leak the news we are not prepared? Thanks.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

NLRB National Labour Relations Board. NRBQ Rock Group. "I'm sure to fall, fall in love, I'm sure to fall in love with you... "

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

For the Literate. Oil is inflammable; Gas is combustible; and I can't afford electric heat. So oil (hot water or steam) or Solar!

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

RE: NLRB Workers Vote Democrat. Unemployed also vote. Focus on jobs today, ideology tomorrow.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

H-P resumed touch pad manufacturing. Don't count Apple out yet, guys. Make em, sell em, and move on. Fast. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Accountants 20-20 hindsight? Criticise the EuroBanks on write downs. Now you tell us. Does somebody have an eraser?

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

German Lawmakers want Merkel to press for bigger voice in future bailouts. EuroCrats are using the old process to solve new problems. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

"Ad hoc, ad loc, quid pro quo. So little time--so much to know!" Jeremy Boob. "Bailout, buyout, what to do. I should know, I never do."

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Some People Call SEC lawyer a whistle blower. Others remember he was hired to investigate improper behaviour. Oh yea, now we remember! Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

SEC Lawyer accusing SEC of shredding is a "proven whistle blower." One Question: Is that good or bad? Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: Economy Deeply divides Fed. Did so 4 years. & all this time we thought they knew what they were doing. T'ain't so! Get Edified! Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@LynnHarris This effects men as well. People c accomplished people as "more than"...& judge themselves less by comparison. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Still looking for an agent to sell my novel or my screenplay. Or a publisher or producer to buy it. Thank you. Slim

Sincerest regards,

Slim

PS.  I am not Paul Harvey.  However, I am open to becoming a paid commentator, columnist, or blogger.

If you’ve found anything I said to be helpful, please don’t hesitate to send me one of those tricked-out laptops and to tuck a few dollars into the envelope along with the thank you note.

Sincerely

Slim

RR #2

Route 390

Cresco, PA 18326

slimfairview@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2011 Slim Fairview

Side Street Journal 23 August 2011

Commentary on Global Political and Economic Events by Slim Fairview
Please also see also http://slimviews.blogspot.com  Please do click the follow button for The Journal--and please email a link to your friends.  Thank you.

Slim

Armed only with an analytical mind and the ability to speak in metaphors, I attempt to explain the events of the day as I view them through the magic glasses my parents gave me over 50 years ago. Regards, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: Prediction in India--economic downturn. Suggestion: Watch Europe. Don't do that. Regards, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: Teaching Kids to wash hands cuts sick days. How old fashioned. My parents taught me that over 50 years ago.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@WashingTina Cook your way through Julia Child. It worked for Julie Powell. (Or should I wait for after 12 to post that?) Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

H-P Needs to Evolve, CEO says. Okay...did you line up customers for this new software you intend to sell?

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Posted: who visited my blogs. Now: who should: Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium slimviews.blogspot.com & sidestreetjournal.blogspot.com

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@SWrightBoucher @budtoboss But it spoils the surprise when you finally do succeed. [Or, In my case: I succeeded? Surprise!] ;-) Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@bankervision "Committees Never Solve Problems. If you disagree, I shall refute you with one word. Congress." [Quotations of Slim Fairview]

bankervision James Gardner

by Slimfairview

bit.ly/p80wbB <- Crowds tend to average and aggregate. They don't select for genius or for stupid.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Please see "To EuroCrats" below. Two different tweets, two different monographs. Thank you. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

To: EuroCrats. Repeat after me: OUR PLAN IS NOT WORKING. LET'S MEET (v.) 2 WORK (v.) ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & GROWTH. slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/eurocr…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

To: EuroCrats. Repeat after me: OUR PLAN IS NOT WORKING. LET'S MEET (v.) 2 WORK (v.) ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & GROWTH. slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/eurocr…

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Greece: Big difference between asking citizens to make sacrifices 4 a better tomorrow & suffering 4 the failed strategies of yesterday.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

There is a big difference between trying a solution that ends up not working, and continuing with a solution that you know doesn't work!

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Something old, Some thing new: I'm no expert but....apparently neither are the people working on the EuroCrisis.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

As the EuroCrisis gets worse, I must ask, Do you get your advice from American Politicians, or American Talk Show Television?

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

To the EuroCrats: Call me a flawed human being, but I suspect that the plan you have for Greece is not working.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Austerity Measures imposed on Greece by the EuroCrats extends Greek Recession into fourth year. So that was the plan. [ Pitiful! ] Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Greek Austerity Measures having a negative impact on the economy. But, that plan was developed by experts.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: Germany--Obvious Slowdown in Economy. Is it uncertainty over handling of the EuroCrisis? Or Certainty over handling of the EuroCrisis?

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: Bargain Hunters scrounging among lean pickings in stocks looking for profit opportunities. EZ. Buy Low, Sell High. Have fun.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

S&P Parent McGraw Hill shopping around for someone to write a book and a novel about the whole thing--Revenue Enhancement. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

@

@LynnHarris No doubt they've been reading Unwritten Rules by Lynn Harris. Slim

LynnHarris LynnHarris

by Slimfairview

Britain's biggest companies double the number of women recruited to their boards in the past six months. fb.me/11VSwFxGE

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Please see Libya 2.0 below. Now, The Failure of Western Diplomacy in the Middle East 3.0 [okay, 2.9 Happy now?] slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/failur… Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

Libya 2.0 ??? Honestly. I told you that months ago. slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/fallac… Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: NB How does Libyan Success Affect Syria. Wrong take on the situation. t.co/kQhYX93

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

WSJ: NB How does Libyan Success Affect Syria. Wrong take on the situation. How does it affect Arab Leaders Approach to Syria.

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

"WSJ: Arab Spring gives way to Uncertain Autumn. Uh, guys, you missed Summer. It gets hot during Summer. Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

India, Sweden, El Salvador, Croatia, Norway, South Africa, all visitors to t.co/NAQfvR9 Thank you. Sincerely, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

El Salvador Visits t.co/NAQfvR9 Thank you. Welcome. Sincerely, Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

EuroCrisis Analogy: t.co/ZLUhutB Slim

Slimfairview Slim Fairview

EuroCrisis: Hocus Pocus--Focus! slimviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/eurocr… Slim

Sincerest regards,

Slim

PS.  I am not Paul Harvey.  However, I am open to becoming a paid commentator, columnist, or blogger. If you’ve found anything I said to be helpful, please don’t hesitate to send me one of those tricked-out laptops and to tuck a few dollars into the envelope along with the thank you note.

Sincerely

Slim

RR #2

Route 390

Cresco, PA 18326

slimfairview@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2011 Slim Fairview

EuroCrisis: Hocus Pocus--Focus!

Instead of relying on the unending stream of bad news to comment upon, I took some time to read some of the articles being written about the EuroCrisis.  I’m not sorry I did.

The EuroCrats are discussing solutions.  They are focusing on the unpopular solutions.  We used to believe that if medicine tasted bad, it was good for you.  Now we believe that the unpopular solution is always the best solution. 

The solution that no one likes is imposing sanctions on nations that do not improve their circumstances after receiving a bailout.

Your economy was in bad shape.  We gave you money to pay your national debts.  That was to help you while your economy improved.  Your economy did not improve.  Now we are going to punish you.  We are going to do this to help you. 

Some things require no additional comment.  The above paragraph is an example of that.

Another solution on the table is to create another layer of bureaucracy.  This is the toothless watchdog.  You feed the dog, walk the dog, listen to the dog bark, and blame the dog when your home is burgled.  My cat came up with that analogy.  Self-serving?  Yes.  Valid none-the-less.

The EuroNations currently staggering downhill economically do not need governance.  They need leadership.  Moreover, however, the leaders are in need of leadership.  All we have now is gratuitous management.

What has caused this flurry of activity?  I am embarrassed to say this.  Analysts.  Why am I embarrassed to say this?  I admittedly have only two skills.  An analytical mind and the ability to speak in metaphors.

Analysts are predicting the recession in Greece will continue.  They are basing their predictions on the fact that their assumptions failed to materialise.

Here is what happened.  The € 110 Billion Bailout to Greece was apparently predicated on the assumption that growth would return to Greece after some austere fiscal and economic changes.  When growth failed to arrive (Deus ex machine, I assume), the analysts predicted that the recession would continue.  Apparently, the Analysts never read Horace’s Ars Poetica. 

Now, I never read it either.  Still, here is the analogy.

Instead of putting 10% of your income into your retirement fund each year, I want you to put 5% of your income into your retirement fund each year.  This based on the assumption that your rate of return is going to double.

Instead of crunching the numbers, grasp the concept.

Thus far, there seems to be no solution.  There is no short-term solution to the problem.  There is no long-term solution to the problem.  What we do have, however, are steps being taken in the hopes that things will get better.  This, we do, by calling the people trying to solve the problems, experts.

“Early to bed and early to rise, does not make you Ben Franklin.”—Slim Fairview

What is most startling about this situation is that there is little discussion about projects.  Cutting spending to the bone certainly gives the appearance of a better financial position.  It gives you the feeling of being in better financial shape.

You can also improve your circumstances by focusing on increasing the revenue.

Now, as I said elsewhere:

If you are unemployed, a government job is a job.

If you are an economist, a government job is a transfer payment.

However, we need a scapegoat.  There is, after all, a global economic crisis.  What happened?  Let’s blame it on John Maynard Keynes.  John Maynard Keynes may have as much to do with the problem as Maynard G. Krebs, but this will give us the opportunity to sell new ideas.

This in analogous to the decline in reading skills in the United States. 

With no evidence to suggest that Phonics caused the decline in reading scores, we began down the path of coming up with new and better ways to teach reading.  Each new way of teaching reading was embraced to solve the problem of declining test scores caused by the previous solution. 

Ultimately, we blamed the test.  When that didn’t work, we began to demand testing the teacher.  The only ones who benefited were the ones who wrote and sold books explaining the new and better way of teaching youngsters to read.

The only people who got rich from Get Rich Quick books were the people who wrote them.  The only people who felt better from Self-Help Books were the people who make money writing them.

Thus it is with the EuroCrisis.  Everyone is in the same situation, it would seem.  Everyone has a solution.  The only people benefiting from the solutions, however, are the experts who make money selling their theories to the EuroCrats.

I once said in jest, “Put me in charge.  I can do just as bad a job, but I can come up with much better excuses.” Now I will say it not in jest. Put me in charge. I can do just as bad a job but come up with much better excuses.  No, wait.  I have to sell the idea.  I can do just as good a job but come up with much better excuses.

If nothing else, instead of using the same process but including different people, perhaps the EuroCrats can come up with a different and better process using the same people. 

This being about Greece, perhaps Socratic Dialogue might be apropos?

Let’s be honest, isn’t the real feel-good course of action the one that helps us to show everyone that it was someone else’s fault?

Sincerest regards,

Slim

PS.  I am not Paul Harvey.  However, I am open to becoming a paid commentator, columnist, or blogger.

If you’ve found anything I said to be helpful, please don’t hesitate to send me one of those tricked-out laptops and to tuck a few dollars into the envelope along with the thank you note.

Sincerely,

Slim

RR #2

Route 390

Cresco, PA 18326

slimfairview@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2011 Slim Fairview