“Anyone who believes in indefinite growth in anything physical, on a physically finite planet, is either mad or an economist.”
― Kenneth E. Boulding
Yes it is always easy to poke fun at economic forecasts, especially because they usually turn out to be wrong, often by a large margin. However, before laughing them off, think about what is being asked of those forecasts and the economists making them by considering the below analogy.

I presume that most of you reading this own a car and have a license to drive it. The license certifies you to be minimally competent drivers, sort of the way a Ph.D. certifies an economist to have a minimal command of economics. Nonetheless, it is very easy to prove that you are all incompetent fools who know nothing about how a car works or how to drive it and thus to prove that drivers’ licenses are a big joke

For More: About Those Mad Egomaniacs We Call Economists

Everyone today would love to see a deal with Iran, but let’s face reality folks. Iran is no peace partner and no ally to the West and will never be as long as the mullahs are in power.

It is a fact that no matter how much the Iranian propagandists try to sell Iran as a country with a very vibrant society, eager to embrace the West, Iran’s record of press freedom and human rights is dismal and its sponsoring of terrorists the world over – starting with Hezbollah – is second to none.

Just take a close look at Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei when delivering speeches in front of hyped-up citizens pumping their fists in the air and chanting “death to America.” and see for yourself. Or take a closer look at other Iranian leaders boasting about how Tehran “controls four Arab capitals …or go and listen to the Iranian top protégé Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, continuing to launch vitriol against Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other sovereign nations. Complete lunatics on the loose.

For More: Iran is No Peace Partner

Thank you,

To be perfectly candid, I am not saying stocks are “a bubble” today. I am not saying prices are “ridiculous.” I am not saying the things that some of the louder doom-and-gloomers are howling about the coming devastation.

But I certainly think that what’s happening today is, in large part, the result of unsustainable easy-money policies from the Fed, and that it is too good to last.

One of the most important things you can do as an investor is to try to seek out smart arguments that lay out the opposite side of the views that you hold. In other words, if you’re bullish, you should seek out smart bears, and vice versa.

And if you’re so sure that stocks are just going to keep going up and that anyone who voices caution is a moron — then at least think about this

Someday, financial markets will again decline. Someday, rising stock and bond markets will no longer be government policy – maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday. Someday, QE will end and money won’t be free. Someday, corporate failure will be permitted.

For More: Bullish on Stocks?

Thank You,

The power of a determined human being who is not willing to give up is truly inspirational.

 
I have been inspired over the years by many friends, business and political activists with causes bigger than life.

 
The question at this turning point in time and a year away from the next Presidential Elections of 2016 is do the people of this nation have the determination, drive, and willpower to seize the reins of power and return the country to its place as a beacon of light and inspiration for the world? A nation that is powerful, yet benign? Do we have the courage to stand up for what we believe or will we continue to cower in the corner and hope no one sees us?

 
One way to develop courage is to consider what will happen if we fail to act. When considering action, I always do a best/worst analysis. I ask the following four questions about the prospective action:

For More:  2016 – What to do?

Thank You,