Guided By Nonsense

Posted on June 3, 2016 by MN Gordon

“Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.” — Lewis Carroll

U.S. consumers are at it again.  After a seven year hiatus they’re once again doing what they do best.  They’re buying stuff.

According to the Commerce Department, personal consumption expenditures (PCE), which is the primary measure of consumer spending on goods and services in the U.S. economy, increased $119.2 billion in April.  That marks an increase of 1 percent, and is the biggest one month increase since August 2009…nearly seven years ago.  Indeed, this is quite an achievement.

The consumer, you know, is the primary engine of U.S. economic growth.  Without consumption GDP doesn’t go up; rather, it goes down.  Moreover, in a debt based money system, when GDP goes down the whole financial debt structure breaks down.

We don’t condone it.  Certainly we’d prefer an honest hard money system where savings and investment drives growth as opposed to borrowing and spending.  But our preference has no bearing on reality in this matter. Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, MN Gordon | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

How Elon Musk Empowers Fools to Part Ways with Their Money

Posted on May 27, 2016 by MN Gordon

Tesla Motors is up to something remarkable.  But what it is, exactly, is unclear.  According to the Tesla Motors website, the company’s mission is: to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transport.

This all sounds quite brilliant, indeed.  Though we must admit, we’re not really sure what sustainable transport is…or why the world’s transition to it should be accelerated.  Nonetheless, we’ll assume this is a noble cause.

Tesla’s bold CEO, Elon Musk, certainly thinks it is.  In fact, the twelve billion dollar man’s so sure of the endeavor he keeps upping the ante.  The company’s now on the hook to expand production of its electric vehicles to 500,000 a year by 2018.

No doubt they’ve got their work cut out for them.  Production of 500,000 Tesla’s per year represents an increase of nearly 1,000 percent from the 50,580 electric vehicles delivered last year.  Is this even remotely achievable? Continue reading →

Posted in MN Gordon, Stock Market | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

How to Maximize Economic Potential

Posted on May 20, 2016 by MN Gordon

Problems, as people commonly perceive them, require solutions.  Broken shoelaces must get fixed.  Regrettably, in today’s democracy this means the candidate who offers the most fixes – in the form of goodies – to the most people wins the election.

The Gallop poll reported earlier this week that 18 percent of U.S. adults believe the “economy in general” is the most important problem facing the country.  This was followed by 13 percent who believe “dissatisfaction with government” is the top problem.  Rounding out the third highest response were the 9 percent that believe “unemployment and jobs” is of highest concern.

As far as we can tell, these top three responses are one in the same.  When the economy is growing, and well-paying jobs are prevalent, the government gets a pass on its failures.  But a sagging economy, and a dearth of jobs, brings out the torches and pitchforks.

Scratching the surface a bit more, in search of clarity beneath, we consider whether the Gallop poll is providing the wrong response choices.  In particular, how can the “economy in general” be a response to the question of what is the most important problem facing the country today? Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, MN Gordon | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Even Death Won’t Save Us

Posted on May 13, 2016 by MN Gordon

Rubbernecking at the economic train wreck of central planners is not without hazard.  A strained collar and dry eyes, for instance, are common perils.  So, too, is the lasting grimace of disbelief that comes with the rollout of each zany scheme to save us from ourselves.

Etched forehead lines and nighttime bruxism are several of the secondary effects.  Not owning shares of Amazon is another.  Though, over the long term, this will likely be an advantage.

Certainly, gawping at the present execution of monetary and fiscal policy in America is not without some benefit.  A healthy suspicion is garnered of politicians and public officials.  This, at the very least, relieves us from voter’s remorse.  Since we didn’t vote for President Obama we don’t have to live with the soiled conscious that most surely befalls those who made this grave miscalculation.

There’s also the preservation of one’s dignity that comes with the unwillingness to join in on the latest populace fad.  What a crock the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements turned out to be. Continue reading →

Posted in MN Gordon, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments