Mr. President, are you paying attention?

[phil4watching]

Do you think Obama or Hildog would do any better? Both of them are huge liars... Not going to change either way

[AZhitman]

BACK on topic - This is sneaking dangerously close to a purely political thread, which it should not be.

Please re-read the initial poster's sentiments, and the immediate replies, for a reminder of the topic we're discussing.

Thanks!

[smockers83]

Sorry man, when we were told to debate away, I thought that we could. I guess I didn't read closely enough. Apologies.

[smockers83]

To answer the last question of the OP, I would say $4/gallon is more of a concern than the administration not saying $4/gallon isn't in the forecast this year. For the reason I said earlier, the government measures a national average. That's not to say the places with the highest prices won't see $4/gallon.

[J-Owner]

Smockers83......WOW.......I have no idea who your Econ teacher is that filled your head with that stuff but he or she should be fired IMMEDIATELY. Good luck with that direction of thought.

[AZhitman]

???

I don't see anything problematic with that.

Explain please, J-owner.

[smockers83]

Yes, please. I can back everything up with data, readings, textbooks, PowerPoints, you name it if you want to talk about populations. If you want to argue international trade, just remember Adam Smith. Look at the European Union. Mexico is like the size of Illinois in terms of output, so the economic effects of it are minimal on the US national economy, but may possibly have effects on local economies. Opening up to trade is all about economies of scale and Mexico-US trade due to NAFTA is an awesome example. Analysis of the impact of NAFTA on net job creation in the US concludes that it has been very small, yet positive (we're talking 10s of thousands in the first few years, net). <<<DON'T LET THE DEMS FOOL YOU.

I don't think the University of Michigan would spoon-feed me crap. Some of what I said was opinion also, so keep that in mind.
Modified by smockers83 at 11:38 PM 3/4/2008

[rn79870]

To answer the last question of the OP, I would say $4/gallon is more of a concern than the administration not saying $4/gallon isn't in the forecast this year. For the reason I said earlier, the government measures a national average. That's not to say the places with the highest prices won't see $4/gallon.

No Smocky, the prediction is for the National Average to reach $4/gallon. I've seen predictions ranging from early to late spring. My point was that I have seen $4.09 for the first time. Sure, that is a isolated event, but once the door is open...

With reference to the rising prices/falling dollar value let me ask, who will remedy the situation, the free market or Washington? In my opinion, if we leave it up to the free market, our future contains shopping at the Goodwill and beans three times a day with meat on the weekends. We need a leader that understands economics, not one that doesn't see the problem coming.

[gwoods]

I'm planning on adding $10 NOS octane boost to my $3.25 gas for racing Saturday night.

Invest in oil companies and forget about it. Oil prices will continue to rise until Hydrogen or Electric cars become a real solution. There is nothing you or GW can do about it might as well make some money!

[audtatious]

With reference to the rising prices/falling dollar value let me ask, who will remedy the situation, the free market or Washington? In my opinion, if we leave it up to the free market, our future contains shopping at the Goodwill and beans three times a day with meat on the weekends. We need a leader that understands economics, not one that doesn't see the problem coming.

And if we leave it up to Washington it has a greater potential to be worse off. Neither Dems nor Reps have shown any interest in doing what is right for this nation.

[smockers83]

No Smocky, the prediction is for the National Average to reach $4/gallon. I've seen predictions ranging from early to late spring. My point was that I have seen $4.09 for the first time. Sure, that is a isolated event, but once the door is open...

With reference to the rising prices/falling dollar value let me ask, who will remedy the situation, the free market or Washington? In my opinion, if we leave it up to the free market, our future contains shopping at the Goodwill and beans three times a day with meat on the weekends. We need a leader that understands economics, not one that doesn't see the problem coming.

Gotcha on the $4 part, didn't know that. As for the dollar and rising prices (aka inflation), that's regulated by the Fed, which is separate from the government. That's a whole other thing that I took a semester on that I guess I shouldn't get into since my education is crap...

[heliochrome85]

we all need to calm down. seriously, this isnt the youtube comments board.

[J-Owner]

Honestly, it would take pages to explain. I won't bore you and after all we are off topic again.

I will say that I manage a $100 million portfolio and constantly follow both Wall Street and the EU daily and Smockers appears to be in college BUT.....perhaps you do know more than I. I admit that I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed and it has been a while since I have set in a Econ classroom but I have proven myself with real world experience and made millions for the bank I work for in the process and I just have a different opinion of it all I suppose.

I will just agree to disagree with you and leave it at that. I apologize if my earlier post was rude.

[smockers83]

Its cool, I'm sure your knowledge is better than mine...you just have the real experience. All I have is data and interpretations and theories thrown at me. But that's also why you guys hire us young guys...new ideas, new thoughts, new perspectives, all that good stuff. Right?

[J-Owner]

That's right. In the business circle of life the young guys always win. I am already close to being a dinosaur.

[apollo500]

I don't follow this stuff too closely but what I know is that the USD is very weak in the world market, I came to the US 7 years ago the dollar was worth 3.75 zloty which is the polish currency, today it was worth 2.30 zloty, that a big drop. No wonder the prices for a barrel of oil are so high.

[tollboothwilley]

Hmmm....Can we drill in Anwar yet and maybe create new refineries? What about drilling offshore before China takes over the good places? What about getting oil from shale?

We have had numerous chances to be proactive to an anticipated problem and have had nothing but resistence, thus nada. I do agree we should have stopped propping up the oil companies years ago.

We have several options available to us instead of buying foreign oil. Why is it that we opt to not use available means?

Especially when our economy struggles as a result

[tollboothwilley]

**** ****** ***** ****** ****I dont know if you guys have ever heard of this...

A process of turning waste(anything) into crude oil through superheating and extracting the different materials. ANYTHING carbon-based can become oil and minerals.

http://www.freerepublic.com/fo...posts

Lets invest in this...

[telcoman]

That's right. In the business circle of life the young guys always win. I am already close to being a dinosaur.

Me too! Sorry Smockers that I came on so strong. You may not remember the high inflation and long gas lines in 1979. I am not an economic expert but the high inflation and rising oil prices in the 70's were the payback for financing the Viet Nam war with debt. The Fed is lowering interest rates which causes a drop in the value of the dollar in relation to other currencies (euro) which causes commodities such as oil to rise in price.The Bush tax cuts that went to the top 1% did not trickle down to anyone that I know. The huge rising debt caused by Bush starting a useless war in Irag based on false information, almost 4000 lives lost, hundreds of thousands wounded, the mortgage crisis all on his watch. What a cluster$uckOur government needs to give incentives to develop fuel efficient vehicles and not exempt auto manufactures tax exemptions to build huge trucks and SUV's that use huge amounts of gasoline. OK, I'm done!

Telcoman

[rn79870]

Gotcha on the $4 part, didn't know that. As for the dollar and rising prices (aka inflation), that's regulated by the Fed, which is separate from the government. That's a whole other thing that I took a semester on that I guess I shouldn't get into since my education is crap...

Hey, Go Blue.I want to hear your opinion anyway, I don't care what you think of your education!

[rn79870]

I'm planning on adding $10 NOS octane boost to my $3.25 gas for racing Saturday night.

Invest in oil companies and forget about it. Oil prices will continue to rise until Hydrogen or Electric cars become a real solution. There is nothing you or GW can do about it might as well make some money!

I just got a credit card offer from my insurance company. I can save $48.00 a year on insurance if I take it. Also, for the 1st. 90 days I will get 5% cash back on gas purchases. Since I always pay my CC off, who is paying that 20 cents? The oil company or the CC company?

[AZhitman]

The CC company pays that.

Simple "playing the percentages". You're the type of customer that costs them money - There's 100 more that don't pay their balance, and the interest paid FAR exceeds that 20 cents.

p.s. $48 a year discount is a sham - I'd bet you lunch my insurance gal could smoke that, she's 11-for-11 on people I've referred.

[rn79870]

Our government needs to give incentives to develop fuel efficient vehicles and not exempt auto manufactures tax exemptions to build huge trucks and SUV's that use huge amounts of gasoline. OK, I'm done! Telcoman

I agree totally. Not just trucks and SUVs, Infiniti should look into a G25. They have a VQ25HR engine that would fit nicely into a weight shaved 3200 lb. G. I would assume that it would make about 220HP and get north of 30 MPG. So Infiniti, be proactive.

[heliochrome85]

as a whole, infiniti is pretty bad mileage wise. its kindof annoying since i can barely get 23 on the highway in my V6. My dad's S-class Benz, with a V8 does better.

[rn79870]

Honestly, it would take pages to explain. I won't bore you and after all we are off topic again.

I will say that I manage a $100 million portfolio and constantly follow both Wall Street and the EU daily and Smockers appears to be in college BUT.....perhaps you do know more than I. I admit that I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed and it has been a while since I have set in a Econ classroom but I have proven myself with real world experience and made millions for the bank I work for in the process and I just have a different opinion of it all I suppose.

I will just agree to disagree with you and leave it at that. I apologize if my earlier post was rude.

The talking head on the news this morning just commented that the investors are "nervous." I suppose that means "scared." They are apparently investing in Oil and Gold and the supply and demand thing is going out the window. Was she saying that greed trumps supply and demand? So are the rules for investing starting to change in response to all this?

[AZhitman]

Only for the pansy investors who cut and bail at the first sign of trouble.

As for me, I'll be buying low.

[rn79870]

as a whole, infiniti is pretty bad mileage wise. its kindof annoying since i can barely get 23 on the highway in my V6. My dad's S-class Benz, with a V8 does better.

My 3.5 Maxima got 27 to 29. Our Mustang gets worse in town but better on the road. Infiniti, seriously, consider a G25. Or better yet, work a deal with MB for that Bluetec diesel they have in the E class. That is what the free market is suppose to do, listen and respond.

[AZhitman]

Diesels aren't a good solution, Bobby... especially given the price of diesel and the perceived vs real-world MPG returns.

I know, not a popular stand, but it's reality.

[rn79870]

Only for the pansy investors who cut and bail at the first sign of trouble.

As for me, I'll be buying low.

If you're in for the long run, you'll probably be fine. You're young enough to wait 25 years to retire, so the system will work to your benefit.

Unfortunately, the older I get the easier it is to make money. At least the easier it "was" to make money. My income is based on commission, and I'm feeling the effects of the worsening economy.

I'd like to retire sooner than later, and your free market economy, isn't helping me with my retirement plan.

[smockers83]

Me too! Sorry Smockers that I came on so strong. You may not remember the high inflation and long gas lines in 1979.

It's fine, I don't care...it's debate it happens. I'm not offended or anything. And you're damn right I don't remember 1979 or anything leading up to 1986 for that matter. But I do know that stagflation occurred, which is a huge problem in an economy. I can tell you in 1979 the Fed lowered interest rates due to the inflation and unemployment (stagflation when both of these happen at the same time, which is something we're threatened with today). Inflation then was partially due to oil. But the Fed tries to keep inflation under control through interest rates, which affects the money supply and value abroad. There is an upside to a weaker dollar however. It makes our exports cheaper and more appealing. As demand for our exports rises, the dollar will rise back up. Fluctuations happen in the market.

rn, first of all GO BLUE! Surprised to hear that from Cali. Secondly, all I was going to say about the Fed is that it is separate from the government. The free market will ultimately control the value of the dollar abroad in conjunction with interest rates, but we can try to control inflation here at home through interest rates.

As for investing in gold, its something investors fall back onto when the economy goes into a recession or rates fall. Once the economy gets out of the slump, people will move money back into stocks and bonds. Interest rates determine returns on bonds, stocks, anything you can invest in and during these types of times, gold is a popular thing to fall back on. That's why all of a sudden you see all of these commercials for investing in gold or companies that want to buy your gold jewelry that you no longer wear.