Friday, February 8, 2013

THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION TOPICS ...


There are so many thought provoking articles and posts that I come across. They often inspire me to write posts, op-eds, and even contributed to helping me develop a couple of book chapters (including several in my next one). Unfortunately, I don't have the time to develop all of the ideas I get, and often leave the articles in folders that eventually get lost in some literary black hole.


For this reason I'm going to make an effort to post links to insightful articles, with simple one or two-line commentary for your convenience.

* This article from the LA Times' David Horsey offers a short but solid analysis of how manipulated and flawed our gerrymandering (redistricting) process is today. 
* The Justice Department is suing ratings agency Standard & Poor's over fraudulent bond ratings that helped toxic crap smell like roses. It's about time.  
* From Barry Ritholtz: "Why the ratings agencies deserve the death penalty." And, yes, I agree with Ritholtz. 
* Open the link here to learn about the top 5 denigrating references Wall Street uses when ripping off clients (are you a "Muppet"?). This article from Bloomberg provides some specific stories of incredible arrogance.

* If you're wondering why letting financial markets work their magic - a.k.a. laissez faire economics - isn't always the correct path for building market confidence you'll want to read Bloomberg's "World War I debts that wouldn't go away."

* In the stories that makes you go "Hmm" category ... It appears that Republican heavy counties are to blame for most of the growth in food stamp consumption. 
* Another story that makes you go "Hmm" ... House Republicans continue to damage "their brand" while, ironically enough, pushing policies that makes it clear what's behind their brand.  
* Another story that should make you go "Hmm" (and maybe even generates a WTF moment) ... Over the past 3 years - and for the first time since 1937 - our nation's budget deficit declined as a percentage of GDP. 

Believe it or not, this is the type of information that inspires posts, op-eds, and even some book chapters that I write. Now, if I only had more time ...

- Mark


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