The Barron Blog

Saturday, 6 September 2008

The Lighter Side Of The Obama/McCain Presidential Election

There is a lighter side to presidential elections. Here are some quotes and statements that put a smile on my face.
"John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time. That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick."
"I'm a war hero. The other guy isn't. Vote for me." A summary of John McCain's acceptance speech.
"I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don't expect to be a great communicator, I don't expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need." John McCain quote.
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book." Another John McCain's quote.
"You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." John McCain breaking into song after being asked at a media event about whether it was time to send a message to Iran, April 18, 2007.
Lets give a big hand for "The Barrcuda", Sarah Barracuda.
Another Sarah Palin, nickname: "The Killa from Wasilla".
Best Obama Nickname: Joe Biden Accidentally Calling Obama "Barack America".
"Recently, Barack offered John McCain a job in a gift shop at The Obama Presidential Library". A David Letterman top ten point.
"I got tested for AIDS. I know Barack got tested for AIDS. There's no shame in being tested for AIDS. It's an important thing." A Joe Biden quote.
"You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.... I'm not joking". Another Joe Biden quote.

Posted by qualteam at 12:01 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 6 September 2008 7:04 PM EDT

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Friday, 5 September 2008

The U.S. Needs A President With A Plan For Economic Recovery

It isn't enough to spout the right rhetoric and platitudes about keeping American free and prosperous. The next president has to have a lot on the ball with regards to the present economic environment.
He has to understand the reasons behind the global slowdown and take actions to restore confidence in America's financial system and multinational companies.
The plan for a U.S. economic recovery might include the following:
Assured mortgages at reasonable rates for homebuyers with good credit.
Reinventing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as "The U.S. Mortgage and Housing Corporation"(A new U.S. sponsored company).
Big tax incentives for citizens who invest in U.S. companies
Big tax incentives for "green businesses" to locate in the U.S.
Encouraging Americans to save by giving them a tax break on high interest saving accounts.
Quickly winding down the war in Iraq and using the savings to restore solvency in the U.S. financial system from top to bottom.
Encouraging homeownership investments by giving tax incentives on building materials for house renovations.
Public discussions with economists, business people and workers on ways the United States can regain its prosperity again.
Presidential TV speeches to Americans on how they can improve America's economic situation.
A G-30 summit on the global slowdown and what can be done about it.
Obama or McCain, who do you think has the smarts to plan the next economic recovery of the U.S.?

Posted by qualteam at 10:21 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 24 September 2008 12:52 PM EDT

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Monday, 1 September 2008

I Will Not Support The Conservatives In The Coming The October Election

While we don't have mortgage or financial issues in Canada, we do have a downturn in the economy and job losses in Ontario and Quebec.
I can't give my support to the ruling Conservative Party for the following reasons:
There is no credible "green strategy for Canada" from the Conservative Party. All they can do is knock the "Carbon Tax" policy of the Liberals.
Both the munipalities and Ontario have difficulty is supplying housing for the poor and needed infrastucture payments for the province's road and utilities.
Instead of giving 1% of the Goods and Service Tax to the provinces, the Federal Government simply cut the tax 1%.
In 1989, 80% per cent of the unemployed workers were covered by Employment Insurance. Now only 27% of Ontarians are covered by EI. That level is far below other provinces.
Arts funding was cut 44.8 million. The cultural sector provides 7.4% of Canada's gross domestic product and it accounts for 1.1 million jobs.
It should be noted that both the oil companies and the Canadian Government make a great deal of money from Canada's oil exports. Federally, we're not running deficits.
However, I can't at this time support a Government that's as right wing and Alberta orientated as Harper's party.

Posted by qualteam at 11:51 PM EDT

Updated: Tuesday, 2 September 2008 12:04 AM EDT

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Thursday, 28 August 2008

The Biggest Issue Facing Barack Obama And John McCain

It isn't the Iraq war. It isn't health insurance. It isn't off shore oil drilling. Pure and simple, it's the mortgage/financial crisis in the U.S.
The destruction of personal wealth over the last two years has been enormous: Americans stand to lose $8 trillion (U.S.) in housing wealth, or $110,000 per household.
Take the gigantic U.S. housing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop about half of all U.S. mortgages. The two firms now are essentially illiquid and need a bailout only Washington has the means or will to provide. Their complaisant regulator allowed Fannie and Freddie to underpin a combined $5.4 trillion in mortgages and other liabilities with a laughable $54 million in capital. That 1 per cent reserve ratio compares with government-mandated ratios of 3.5 per cent to 9.5 per cent at commercial banks.
Hank Paulson, the U.S. treasury secretary, boasts of the "bazooka" granted him by Congress to rescue Fannie and Freddie, whose collapse could take down the U.S. financial system.
Some institutions have been fined for their participation in this fraud like Citibank and Merrill Lynch. However, the individuals behind it like the former Citibank CEO, Charles Prince and Merrill Lynch CEO, Stanley O'Neil, got off easy with multi million dollar severance packages.
Shouldn't there be some individual accountability for these actions?
Shouldn't Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be put to sleep as a private companies and resurrected as one public company like "The U.S. Mortgage and Housing Corporation".
Behind the rhetoric, personalities and ideologies where do Barack Obama and John McCain stand on this issue?

Posted by qualteam at 7:59 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 30 August 2008 9:56 AM EDT

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Sunday, 24 August 2008

Isn't It Time To Retire Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac?

After 70 years of in the mortgage business, Fannie and Freddie seem to be losing their touch. They have insured over 1 trillion dollars in bad mortgages and their share prices have dropped to new lows.
Selling shares of a "Government Sponsored Company" is a bad idea. Nobody has ever suggested that shares in the U.S. Postal Service be made available.
There is a comparable service in Canada called "The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation". It has been around for over 60 years and is doing quite well. CMHC is a "Crown Corporation" owned by the Canadian Government. It isn't at the mercy of hedge fund managers and greedy speculators.
It obvious to me and many Americans that the number one issue, right now, is the housing/financial crisis and the resulting economic slowdown.
The next president and vice president of the United States will have their hands full with Iraq and these economic issues.

Posted by qualteam at 8:23 PM EDT

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Monday, 18 August 2008

Making Sure Canada Post Delivers

Over the last few days, I have been giving and receiving e-mails with CPC President, Moya Greene, over different problems at Canada Post. These include casuals, part timers, modernization, new fuel efficient vehicles, bonus systems, shareholders, etc.
I've had a good living from Canada Post and I'm looking forward to receiving a pension from it for the rest of my life.
I don't take anything for granted in this world. Canada Post went 800 million dollars in debt when it first modernized in the 1970s. I wouldn't want to see that happen again which might imperil our pensions and benefits.
Look what has happened to other businesses with defined pension plans.
Another view of Canada Post on "This Hour Has 22 Minutes":

Posted by qualteam at 10:02 PM EDT

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Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Filling Up An Ipod With Musical Goodies

Recently, I attempted to fill up a 4 gig Ipod with mp3s for a friend. While I have close to 2000 songs on my computer, I found it are hard to get 1000 great tunes for my buddy.
While my main musical interest resides in the 50s and 60s, I put all kinds of music in the MP3 player.
I managed to download quality songs from the 1940s to the 21st century. The genres included oldies, 40s jazz, ballads of any kind, classic country, modern country, hard rock, pop and R & B.
It's great that the internet exists and the vastness of popular music is only a link and a mouse click away.
Below are six of the tunes that made it to my "Top 1000 Songs Of All Time". Please enjoy:

Posted by qualteam at 10:25 PM EDT

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Saturday, 9 August 2008

Goodbye Beavers
Mood: sad

Frank and Gordon were the spokesbeavers for Bell Canada over the last three years. During that time, they were in every commerical for Bell from high speed internet services to cell phones products.
While they were stupid looking and the commericals very repetitive, they've endeared themselves to many Canadians including myself.
I have a special place in my heart for beavers. Here's a website where you can see real beavers in action.
Other famous beavers that entertained me in in the past were "Little Beaver", the wrestler and The Beave from the TV series, "Leave It To Beaver".
The Famous Molson Beaver Commerical

Posted by qualteam at 12:08 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, 22 September 2008 11:06 AM EDT

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Monday, 4 August 2008

Becoming A Better Investor And Money Manager

I follow the TSX and the Dow regularly. Here are my insights into the wonderful world of investing and money management.
Be patient and have a long term view on your investments.
Don't compulsively waste money on gambling and things you don't really need.
Save heavily if you can, contribute religiously to retirement accounts and pay extra on your mortgage.
Learn to compare stocks and sectors against the index using relative trend analysis.
Invest in "Green Technology", the next big thing.
Always buy at a time of gloom and doom. Always sale when sheep investors think that the gravy train will never end.
Pay off credit card debt first and put long-term debt in a lower interest rate "line of credit" account.
Owning and improving a house should be part of anyone's financial planning. I have many blog entries on that subject.
Bull markets are usually 36 months long while bear markets only last about 12 months. The present bear market is coming to an end, prepare to buy safe high dividend stocks through mutual funds, ETFs, or a discount broker.
Learn more about investing through the following free internet websites: The Independent Investor, The Canadian Capitalist, Relative Trend Analysis, Your Money And Your Brain, How To Become A Better Investor, and Free Stock Analysis.

Posted by qualteam at 11:33 PM EDT

Updated: Tuesday, 5 August 2008 2:41 PM EDT

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Saturday, 2 August 2008

Becoming A Better Poker Player
Mood: lucky

Over the last few months, I've managed to accumulate $57,000 in play money from www.pokerstars.net. I played in the free "Sit 'N Go" tournaments because I wasn't good enough to play for real money. I read up and improved my game to a point where I was kicking the butt of every "Hold 'Em" greenhorn around, but I wasn't improving my poker playing.
I was still making the same mistakes over and over again, I was more lucky than skilled. Then last week, I won $40 dollars at a friend's place and a week earlier, I won $30. I liked playing poker for real money with live people in front of me. This atmosphere brought out the best poker player that I could be.
Online for a week, I've been playing poker for green stuff. I haven't won anything, but I haven't lost anything lost either, so I guess I'm doing just fine.
"Somewhere in the darkness, the gambler broke even and found an ace that he could keep."

Posted by qualteam at 3:11 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 2 August 2008 3:22 PM EDT

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