Friday, February 25, 2005
How to Win the Stock Market Simulation
If your goal is to win this simulation, stay away from the established stocks. Don't buy Disney. Don't buy Microsoft. Don't
buy Intel. These stocks may be part of the Dow Jones, but in this 10 week simulation, you are unlikely to see the
volatility needed in order to be the top team. Your best bet is to invest in the $5 stocks that have a high volatility.
Check out the 52 week highs and the 52 week lows of the stocks to see if it has high or low volatility.
If your goal is to simply finish in the middle of the pack, then you may want to invest in Disney, Microsoft or Intel. Or
to play it even more safe, put some money in some mutual fund. While mutual funds may certainly drop in value, the
advantage of investing in mutual funds rather than individual stocks is the diversification that you get when purchasing
mutual funds.
3:15 am pst
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
President Bush State of the Union Blog
Tonight, this is a privilege we share - "Afghanistan, Palestine, and a new a free Iraq." --- applause by everyone....
bunch of guys with pink-stained fingers representing unity with those who voted in Iraq....
this evening, policy at home and around the world.... healthy and growing economy... the State of the Union is "confident
and strong." Talks about generational security... "a little gray... or a lot of gray"
What will be the state of their Union?
1 - Good stewards of the economy... fastest growing economy of the major industrialized nations.... cut taxes, prosecute corporate
criminals.... new homeownership, added new jobs.
2 - Now, we must add to achievements by keeping America the economic leader in the world... restraining the spending appetite
of the government.... sends the budget with less discretionary spending.... cuts the deficit... reduces government spending
that doesn't get results... taxpayers dollars must be spent wisely or not at all!!! (pan to John Kerry, who is smiling)....
3 - No Child Left Behind Act, things are getting better -- focus on high schools so that every high school diploma is a "ticket
to success," reforming job training and community college, and increasing size of Pell Grants to make college more affordable
to students.... America must reward, not punish, efforts and dreams of entrepreneurs who use land, labor and capital... focus
on eliminating frivolous lawsuits... Joe Lieberman....
Once Bush said "health care," Democrats started applauding before he was finished... shows what the priorities are
from the left side of the aisle.... something that both sides agree on.... Republicans rise on issues with health care liability
issues....
DUTY in regards to taxes -- update institutions to deal with the archaic tax code.... when the recs delivered, we will have
a tax code that is pro-growth, easy to understand and fair to all --- BOTH Democrats and Republicans stand up!!! That's significant!!!!
Immigration - Tough stance
And now... the symbol of trust between generations -- Social Security a great "moral success" of the 20th century,
and must honor its purpose in the new century.... sustained applause from both aisles.... join together to save Social Security
-- only the Republicans rise.
45 million receive benefits... for them, it's sound and strong... 55 years and older, Bush will not touch the program...
16 workers paid into system for each person when SS first started, people living shorter...
today, people won't die... right now it's about 3 to 1 ratio, and the ratio will fall to 2 to 1.... fewer workers are paying
ever-higher benefits... so here's the result...
in 2018, Social Security will pay out more than it takes in, and makes a bigger shortfall. In 2027, govt will come up with
200 billion dollara, 2042 - system is insolvent (NO NO NO NO NO).... dramatically higher new taxes.. (NO NO NO NO).... long
way off as any parent will tell you with a 5 year old...
Only the right side of the aisle in applause and standing... this is the "huge"
fixing social security "permanently"... limiting benefits to wealthy retirees? increasing the retirement age?
discourage early collection? Moynihan changes calculations? All the ideas are on the table, but we must take action because
our children's retirment is more important than partisan politics... both sides of the aisle are standing up... will work
to create a good combination...
1) Permanently sound
2) Not jeopardize economic strength
3) Lower income workers safe
4) No change for those retiring or near-retirement
5) Gradual change so that younger workers can adjust through voluntary personal retirement accounts...
Obama pictured.... not applauding...
What is voluntary personal retirement accounts? Today's FICA taxes are paid to current retirement... from a defined benefit
to a defined contribution... Your money will grow at a greater rate and will give a greater rate of growth and you can pass
the money to your children and grandchildren... the idea of an "ownership society" and the Bush presidency
"conservative" mix of stocks and bond funds... no "hidden" Wall Street fees, raising the limits... permitting
all workers set aside 4% of payroll taxes...
Thrift Savings Plan -- govt. workers are allowed to put money into retirement accounts... same privilege to young Americans...
_________
More Civics/not economics now
Government is not the source of the problems... constitutional amendment to protect marriage.... we must strive to build a
"culture of life," serve human dignity - indirect attack on pro-choice... no human cloning... human life never bought
or sold as a commodity, both sides of the aisle will agree to that... Judges are not activist judges, but strict constructionists...
6:35 pm pst
President Bush State of the Union Blog
Tonight, this is a privilege we share - "Afghanistan, Palestine, and a new a free Iraq." --- applause by everyone....
bunch of guys with pink-stained fingers representing unity with those who voted in Iraq....
this evening, policy at home and around the world.... healthy and growing economy... the State of the Union is "confident
and strong." Talks about generational security... "a little gray... or a lot of gray"
What will be the state of their Union?
1 - Good stewards of the economy... fastest growing economy of the major industrialized nations.... cut taxes, prosecute corporate
criminals.... new homeownership, added new jobs.
2 - Now, we must add to achievements by keeping America the economic leader in the world... restraining the spending appetite
of the government.... sends the budget with less discretionary spending.... cuts the deficit... reduces government spending
that doesn't get results... taxpayers dollars must be spent wisely or not at all!!! (pan to John Kerry, who is smiling)....
3 - No Child Left Behind Act, things are getting better -- focus on high schools so that every high school diploma is a "ticket
to success," reforming job training and community college, and increasing size of Pell Grants to make college more affordable
to students.... America must reward, not punish, efforts and dreams of entrepreneurs who use land, labor and capital... focus
on eliminating frivolous lawsuits... Joe Lieberman....
Once Bush said "health care," Democrats started applauding before he was finished... shows what the priorities are
from the left side of the aisle.... something that both sides agree on.... Republicans rise on issues with health care liability
issues....
DUTY in regards to taxes -- update institutions to deal with the archaic tax code.... when the recs delivered, we will have
a tax code that is pro-growth, easy to understand and fair to all --- BOTH Democrats and Republicans stand up!!! That's significant!!!!
Immigration - Tough stance
And now... the symbol of trust between generations -- Social Security a great "moral success" of the 20th century,
and must honor its purpose in the new century.... sustained applause from both aisles.... join together to save Social Security
-- only the Republicans rise.
45 million receive benefits... for them, it's sound and strong... 55 years and older, Bush will not touch the program...
16 workers paid into system for each person when SS first started, people living shorter...
today, people won't die... right now it's about 3 to 1 ratio, and the ratio will fall to 2 to 1.... fewer workers are paying
ever-higher benefits... so here's the result...
in 2018, Social Security will pay out more than it takes in, and makes a bigger shortfall. In 2027, govt will come up with
200 billion dollara, 2042 - system is insolvent (NO NO NO NO NO).... dramatically higher new taxes.. (NO NO NO NO).... long
way off as any parent will tell you with a 5 year old...
Only the right side of the aisle in applause and standing... this is the "huge"
fixing social security "permanently"... limiting benefits to wealthy retirees? increasing the retirement age?
discourage early collection? Moynihan changes calculations? All the ideas are on the table, but we must take action because
our children's retirment is more important than partisan politics... both sides of the aisle are standing up... will work
to create a good combination...
1) Permanently sound
2) Not jeopardize economic strength
3) Lower income workers safe
4) No change for those retiring or near-retirement
5) Gradual change so that younger workers can adjust through voluntary personal retirement accounts...
Obama pictured.... not applauding...
What is voluntary personal retirement accounts? Today's FICA taxes are paid to current retirement... from a defined benefit
to a defined contribution... Your money will grow at a greater rate and will give a greater rate of growth and you can pass
the money to your children and grandchildren... the idea of an "ownership society" and the Bush presidency
"conservative" mix of stocks and bond funds... no "hidden" Wall Street fees, raising the limits... permitting
all workers set aside 4% of payroll taxes...
Thrift Savings Plan -- govt. workers are allowed to put money into retirement accounts... same privilege to young Americans...
_________
More Civics/not economics now
Government is not the source of the problems... constitutional amendment to protect marriage.... we must strive to build a
"culture of life," serve human dignity - indirect attack on pro-choice... no human cloning... human life never bought
or sold as a commodity, both sides of the aisle will agree to that... Judges are not activist judges, but strict constructionists...
6:34 pm pst
The State of the Union Address
With President Bush set to take the stage for his first State of the Union Address in his second term, Social Security reform
is the top item on his domestic agenda. Currently, the system is a "defined benefit" program that follows a traditional
pension-like program administered by the federal government. What Bush is wanting to do is provide a plan for workers to
divert 1/3 of their payroll taxes (FICA) -- capped at $1,000 in a private retirement account....
in a couple of minutes, Bush will deliver his speech... let's see what happens....
5:59 pm pst
