Donald Trump is not known for his consistency. If you are interested in seeing a list of his changing positions see: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/24/a-full-list-of-donald-trumps-rapidly-changing-policy-positions.html
Covered are extensive discussions of (in order): Immigration, Proposed Muslim Ban, Minimum Wage, Taxes, Defeating ISIS, Voting For The Iraq War, Guns, 2011 Intervention In Libya, Japan and Nukes, Climate Change, National Debt, Abortion, Money In Politics, Violating U.S. And International Laws With Regard To Torture, Terrorism, Visas for High Skilled Workers, Border Control And The Refugee Crisis, Ku Klux Klan and David Duke, Iran Nuclear Deal, and Health Care.
Stay tuned for new changes.
I think Trump will not change his position on building the wall as he can envision the Great Wall Of Trump to rival the Great Wall Of China. I think he can find some subtle way for Mexico to appear they are paying for it if he becomes president, like, say, an old bill is found involving the annexation of Texas that has never been paid, and, now with interest, it comes to $55 billion. So Trump pays off the old debt and Mexico pays for the wall. Is everybody HAPpy!
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND COLLEGE GRADUATE JOBS LOOK GOOD IN 2016
The Consumer Confidence Index was quite good in August 2016. Still a significant number said the jobs were hard to get (As always, you are encouraged to read the full articles):
The Consumer Confidence Index hit 101.1 in August, The Conference Board said. Economists expected consumer confidence to hit 97 in August, according to a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate.*
..................................................................
While a growing share of respondents expect their incomes to improve, the outlook on jobs was mixed. More respondents said jobs were plentiful, but those claiming jobs are "hard to get" also rose. Similarly, while the the proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead rose to 14.2 percent, up from from 13.5 percent, 17.5 percent of respondents still anticipate fewer jobs going forward.*
On the other hand for college graduates:
National starting salaries for professional occupations are expected to increase 3.6 percent, on average, next year, according to a 2017 salary report from staffing firm Robert Half.**
.................................................................
"With skilled professionals in high demand and short supply, more hiring managers are willing to negotiate compensation with potential hires," Paul McDonald, Robert Half's senior executive director, said in a statement. "Top candidates are receiving multiple offers and will lose interest when faced with a lengthy hiring process."**
(Click on figure to enlaarge)
For newly minted college graduates, it's the best job market in years. Overall, employers are estimated to hire about 5 percent more graduates from the class of 2016 than last year, according to a separate report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.*
* http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/30/consumer-confidence-for-august-2016-reported-by-the-conference-board.html
** http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/30/base-salaries-get-a-boost-.html
The Consumer Confidence Index hit 101.1 in August, The Conference Board said. Economists expected consumer confidence to hit 97 in August, according to a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate.*
..................................................................
While a growing share of respondents expect their incomes to improve, the outlook on jobs was mixed. More respondents said jobs were plentiful, but those claiming jobs are "hard to get" also rose. Similarly, while the the proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead rose to 14.2 percent, up from from 13.5 percent, 17.5 percent of respondents still anticipate fewer jobs going forward.*
On the other hand for college graduates:
National starting salaries for professional occupations are expected to increase 3.6 percent, on average, next year, according to a 2017 salary report from staffing firm Robert Half.**
.................................................................
"With skilled professionals in high demand and short supply, more hiring managers are willing to negotiate compensation with potential hires," Paul McDonald, Robert Half's senior executive director, said in a statement. "Top candidates are receiving multiple offers and will lose interest when faced with a lengthy hiring process."**
For newly minted college graduates, it's the best job market in years. Overall, employers are estimated to hire about 5 percent more graduates from the class of 2016 than last year, according to a separate report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.*
* http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/30/consumer-confidence-for-august-2016-reported-by-the-conference-board.html
** http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/30/base-salaries-get-a-boost-.html
Monday, August 29, 2016
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUSINESS INTERESTS
If you watch any news programs at all, you will see how the news media wants to destroy the Clinton family Non-Profit Foundation. if Hillary becomes president (and even want her to Do It Now). As the Clinton's do not get any monetary benefit from the foundation, the cause is to destroy any emotional benefit the Clinton's get from guiding a Non-Profit Foundation in their name.
The news media seems unconcerned about Donald Trump becoming president and not doing anything to separate him from his For-Profit Business Operations. Does the news media really believe there are no conflicts of interest for a president owning far flung business operations while he is president? Is it really all right for a president operating far flung for-profit business operations while president but not all right for the president being associated with a Non-Profit Foundation? I find this to be weird. I think our country has its priorities all screwed up.* Even if such a president doesn't do things to favor his companies, do we really want a part-time president?
Let's say that the news media becomes concerned about Trump's business operations after all and would Trump's business operations be put in a "blind trust." Is a blind trust with his family running it really all right? Perhaps, but the news media doesn't like the idea of Chelsea Clinton, Hillary's daughter, remaining on the board of their Non-Profit Foundation.
Some suggest that the Clinton Foundation be folded into another Foundation like the Gates Foundation. Well The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, has done the equivalent of this and donated billions of dollars to the Gates Foundation. So their is some justification for doing it. But I believe he sits on the board of the Gates Foundation. I'm not sure the Gate's would like to have Bill Clinton on their board, but maybe it could be worked out. Would this give the Clintons the same emotional rewards? Would this satisfy the news media?
An update after writing the above. It seems like the Clintons are in the process of folding up their foundation, or most of it. The Gates Foundation won't take it because the Clinton Foundation is a active foundation, i.e. they actually distribute medications (e.g. AIDS and diarrhea) and things whereas the Gates foundation is a grants (pass-trough) foundation.
* http://stopcontinentaldrift.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-does-this-mean.html
The news media seems unconcerned about Donald Trump becoming president and not doing anything to separate him from his For-Profit Business Operations. Does the news media really believe there are no conflicts of interest for a president owning far flung business operations while he is president? Is it really all right for a president operating far flung for-profit business operations while president but not all right for the president being associated with a Non-Profit Foundation? I find this to be weird. I think our country has its priorities all screwed up.* Even if such a president doesn't do things to favor his companies, do we really want a part-time president?
Let's say that the news media becomes concerned about Trump's business operations after all and would Trump's business operations be put in a "blind trust." Is a blind trust with his family running it really all right? Perhaps, but the news media doesn't like the idea of Chelsea Clinton, Hillary's daughter, remaining on the board of their Non-Profit Foundation.
Some suggest that the Clinton Foundation be folded into another Foundation like the Gates Foundation. Well The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, has done the equivalent of this and donated billions of dollars to the Gates Foundation. So their is some justification for doing it. But I believe he sits on the board of the Gates Foundation. I'm not sure the Gate's would like to have Bill Clinton on their board, but maybe it could be worked out. Would this give the Clintons the same emotional rewards? Would this satisfy the news media?
An update after writing the above. It seems like the Clintons are in the process of folding up their foundation, or most of it. The Gates Foundation won't take it because the Clinton Foundation is a active foundation, i.e. they actually distribute medications (e.g. AIDS and diarrhea) and things whereas the Gates foundation is a grants (pass-trough) foundation.
* http://stopcontinentaldrift.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-does-this-mean.html
Friday, August 26, 2016
WHERE IS TEDDY ROOSEVELT WHEN WE NEED HIM
Teddy Roosevelt was known For his aggressive use of United States antitrust law, he became known as the "trust-buster". He brought 40 antitrust suits, and broke up major companies, such as the largest railroad and Standard Oil, the largest oil company.*]
EpiPins and other drug costs.
Then there are the medications that suddenly increase in price overnight when the rights to manufacture are sold to another pharmaceutical company. A few of the notable: **
We need someone like a trust buster to stop this charging all the traffic will bear. In my youth companies priced a new product to regain their development and manufacturing costs over two years, then they usually reduced prices somewhat. But with prescription drugs, the price starts high and just increases with time. There is no real competition with prescription drugs. If one company raises the price of a drug, the competitors happily raise theirs also.
What we need is a law that says the a purchased drug must sell for less than the charge before the purchase.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt
** http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/25/mylan-expands-epipen-cost-cutting-programs-after-charges-of-price-gouging.html
*** http://itsnutsoutthere.blogspot.com/
EpiPins and other drug costs.
Then there are the medications that suddenly increase in price overnight when the rights to manufacture are sold to another pharmaceutical company. A few of the notable: **
- Cycloserine for tuberculosis, from $500 to $10,800 for 30 pills.
- Ofirmed, an injectable painkiller, from $410 to$1,019.52 for 24 vials.
- Vimovo for symptoms of arthritis, from $160 to $1,678.52 for 60 tablets.
- Edecrin, a duretic, from $470 to $4,600 per vial.
- Benznidizole, treats Chagas disease, a $60,000 per treatment increase.
- EpiPen, for kids with life-threatening allergies, a 400% increase since acquisition.
- But the ignominius topper is Daraprim. The day after purchase by Turing Pharmaceuticals, CEO Martin Shkreli bumped the price of this 62-year-old drug from $18.50 to $750. and bragged about it in the press. The medication is a critical treatment for a parasitic infection that could be fatal to those with compromised immune systems due to conditions like AIDS/HIV and cancer.
We need someone like a trust buster to stop this charging all the traffic will bear. In my youth companies priced a new product to regain their development and manufacturing costs over two years, then they usually reduced prices somewhat. But with prescription drugs, the price starts high and just increases with time. There is no real competition with prescription drugs. If one company raises the price of a drug, the competitors happily raise theirs also.
What we need is a law that says the a purchased drug must sell for less than the charge before the purchase.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt
** http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/25/mylan-expands-epipen-cost-cutting-programs-after-charges-of-price-gouging.html
*** http://itsnutsoutthere.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 25, 2016
NEW HOME SALES NEAR A NINE YEAR HIGH
Wow, new home sales suddenly near a nine year high. I find the median home price to be shocking:
The median price for a new home slipped 0.5 percent from a year ago to $294,600.*
To buy such a home, I think you should earn over $92,000/yr to buy a home at the median price; however, an online calculator says you can do it with an income of $55,200** that is somewhat more than the median HOUSEHOLD income that was a bit more than $53,000/yr in 2014, the most recent figure available***
* http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/23/new-home-sales-for-july-2016-reported-by-the-commerce-department.html
** http://michaelbluejay.com/house/howmuchhome.html
*** http://www.deptofnumbers.com/income/us/
The median price for a new home slipped 0.5 percent from a year ago to $294,600.*
To buy such a home, I think you should earn over $92,000/yr to buy a home at the median price; however, an online calculator says you can do it with an income of $55,200** that is somewhat more than the median HOUSEHOLD income that was a bit more than $53,000/yr in 2014, the most recent figure available***
* http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/23/new-home-sales-for-july-2016-reported-by-the-commerce-department.html
** http://michaelbluejay.com/house/howmuchhome.html
*** http://www.deptofnumbers.com/income/us/
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
TEXAS WOMEN DYING IN CHILD BIRTH IN TEXAS
There is a big increase in Texas of mothers dying in childbirth.*
The rate at which women die in Texas from pregnancy-related complications is higher than in any other US state—or even in the rest of the developed world, reports theGuardian. A study in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the maternal mortality rate in Texas doubled in a two-year span, from about 18 per 100,000 births in 2010—a year with 72 deaths—to about 36 in 2012, which saw 148 deaths. In the 48 states not including Texas and California, the rate was 23.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2014, up 27% from 18.8 in 2000. California was the only state to see a drop. The authors say the hike in the death rate in Texas—no other state saw a similar uptick—is difficult to explain "in the absence of war, natural disaster, or severe economic upheaval," per the Guardian.
The increase coincides with Texas cutting health care funding for women.
http://www.newser.com/story/229968/texas-saw-spike-in-maternal-mortality-hard-to-explain-in-absence-of-war.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=united&utm_campaign=rss_home
The rate at which women die in Texas from pregnancy-related complications is higher than in any other US state—or even in the rest of the developed world, reports theGuardian. A study in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the maternal mortality rate in Texas doubled in a two-year span, from about 18 per 100,000 births in 2010—a year with 72 deaths—to about 36 in 2012, which saw 148 deaths. In the 48 states not including Texas and California, the rate was 23.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2014, up 27% from 18.8 in 2000. California was the only state to see a drop. The authors say the hike in the death rate in Texas—no other state saw a similar uptick—is difficult to explain "in the absence of war, natural disaster, or severe economic upheaval," per the Guardian.
The increase coincides with Texas cutting health care funding for women.
http://www.newser.com/story/229968/texas-saw-spike-in-maternal-mortality-hard-to-explain-in-absence-of-war.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=united&utm_campaign=rss_home
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
HILLARY CLINTON IN GOOD HEALTH BUT IS TRUMP?
Republicans have been accusing Hillary Clinton of being in poor health. The following reference discusses her health that is good. Included in the article is a URL to Hillary's physician report that concludes she is in good health.
But is Donald Trump in good health? He has cancelled his heavily promoted speech on immigration for Thursday, August 25 (perhaps no surprise) in Colorado, but he has also cancelled his rally for the following day in Las Vegas (August 26) and another at the end of the month (31st) in Portland, Oregon. You know how he loves these rallies. They are his life's blood. What's the matter with Trump?
Note added 08-29-2016: two Critiques of Trump's health letter by another doctor: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-gunter/im-a-doctor-heres-concerning-trumps-medical-letter_b_11565838.html
http://www.dailynewsbin.com/opinion/donald-trumps-doctor-is-a-gastroenterologist-you-wouldnt-go-to-one-unless-you-had-health-problems/25740/
http://www.newser.com/story/229968/texas-saw-spike-in-maternal-mortality-hard-to-explain-in-absence-of-war.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=united&utm_campaign=rss_home
But is Donald Trump in good health? He has cancelled his heavily promoted speech on immigration for Thursday, August 25 (perhaps no surprise) in Colorado, but he has also cancelled his rally for the following day in Las Vegas (August 26) and another at the end of the month (31st) in Portland, Oregon. You know how he loves these rallies. They are his life's blood. What's the matter with Trump?
Note added 08-29-2016: two Critiques of Trump's health letter by another doctor: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-gunter/im-a-doctor-heres-concerning-trumps-medical-letter_b_11565838.html
http://www.dailynewsbin.com/opinion/donald-trumps-doctor-is-a-gastroenterologist-you-wouldnt-go-to-one-unless-you-had-health-problems/25740/
http://www.newser.com/story/229968/texas-saw-spike-in-maternal-mortality-hard-to-explain-in-absence-of-war.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=united&utm_campaign=rss_home
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