USA & World Economics

Today, the Dow was up 292.71, closing at an all-time high of 16,167.97. What a difference 6 years made. Doom & gloom, depression, bankruptcies, suicides, lives & families destroyed back then. And now? Euphoria & high-fives? Yes, for the moment. But it's like seeing 3 Aces on the flop, will your 7 pair hold up as the high pair with 5 players still in? Where is the last Ace? The betting now begins.

Coincidentally, Gordon Brown, ex-prime minister of the UK from 2007-2010, wrote in the NY Times today, an article "Stumbling towards the Next Crash". In it, he claims that most of the problems that caused the 2008 crisis--excessive borrowing, shadow banking and reckless lending--have not gone away. And we know that every 3 months, some bank will announce that they have agree to pay millions, billions in fines but will not admit to wrongdoing. Brown, who also Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1997-2008 says, "International rules are needed for international banks. Without them, global banks will evade regulations by moving operations, changing corporate structures, and redesigning products".

Regulations? That penile drooping word? The AP banking lobby, I sometimes wonder about them.

It's not enough to say, "I believe in market forces", according to Ed Morrissey of [URL]HotAir.com[/URL] commenting on Pope Francis's admonition on excessive capitalism & consumerism. In a flash, 2 hillbillies, Russ Limbaugh and Sarah Palin right away chorused, "pure Marxism". Who's right? What can I say, these guys make millions and I never have more than a thousand baht in my wallet. Envy? Perhaps. Time to look in the mirror and do some self-examination. Didn't that come from Mao?

[B]How Will The Economy Improve In 2014 If Almost Everyone Has Less Money To Spend?[/B]

The article in the link below contains some interesting and even some somewhat surprising numbers.

[URL]http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-01-01/how-will-economy-improve-2014-if-almost-everyone-has-less-money-spend[/URL]

[QUOTE=Punter127;437265][B]How Will The Economy Improve In 2014 If Almost Everyone Has Less Money To Spend?[/B]

The article in the link below contains some interesting and even some somewhat surprising numbers.

[URL]http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-01-01/how-will-economy-improve-2014-if-almost-everyone-has-less-money-spend[/URL][/QUOTE]Just Smoke Pot!

Eat Twat!

And Smile A Lot!

TL.

If Scotland's separatist government gets its way in a referendum planned for September, the 300 year old union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be on the road to disintegration.

And then?

[QUOTE=RevBS;437316]If Scotland's separatist government gets its way in a referendum planned for September, the 300 year old union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be on the road to disintegration.

And then?[/QUOTE]Rather like a divorce. Negotiate a division of the assets and liabilities of the old UK.

Scots would like to keep the Pound Sterling. But they will have to accept monetary policy determined in London.

[QUOTE=Canardly;437318]Rather like a divorce. Negotiate a division of the assets and liabilities of the old UK.

Scots would like to keep the Pound Sterling. But they will have to accept monetary policy determined in London.[/QUOTE]The Scots will lose more then they will gain!

[QUOTE=Gandolf50;437322]The Scots will lose more then they will gain![/QUOTE]I think that's the general idea. Give the impression of free opportunity to choose, but scare the wits out of the Scots voters as the Poll approaches.

[QUOTE=Canardly;437325]I think that's the general idea. Give the impression of free opportunity to choose, but scare the wits out of the Scots voters as the Poll approaches.[/QUOTE]They are a stubborn bunch, they would rather be "free" and starve to death..

[QUOTE=RevBS;437316]If Scotland's separatist government gets its way in a referendum planned for September, the 300 year old union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be on the road to disintegration.

And then?[/QUOTE]Unfortunately the sweatys won't vote for independence...but if by some miracle they do I say rebuild Hadrian's wall 5 times as high to keep them out.

January 17,2013, Bangkok Post.

"The National Anti Corruption Commission will investigate Prime Minister Yingluck for neglect of duty in the rice pledging scheme after charges of corruption were laid against two of her former cabinet ministers".

Meanwhile, I have been on a 3 year mission for a Yingluck look-a-like to probe. The campaign has not been successful. I was thinking of hiring Darrell Issa to help, but he is too expensive, and his record is just as tragic as mine. Perhaps, I will ask Punter 127 for help, he is just as tenacious as Issa, and he has successfully probe in about 37 countries.

[QUOTE=FlexibleHorn;437336]Unfortunately the sweatys won't vote for independence...but if by some miracle they do I say rebuild Hadrian's wall 5 times as high to keep them out.[/QUOTE]Yo Gary,

Being part Scottish, I'm curious how this name came into use to describe the Scots?

And as far as the wall height, it don't matter. They will tunnel under...and you need the oil.

Jackpot.

According to legendary investment guru Jim Rogers.

"Thailand has had half a dozen coups in the last few decades, but they always start up again. Buying during coups and civil unrest has usually been profitable. ".

My take, wait a while, situation is not destabilized enough yet. But the norm is that Rogers' take is usually as good as gold. But you also have to consider the variables in the perimeters of what he says in regard to your own goals and time expectations.

[URL]http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/world/asia/once-the-villages-are-gone-the-culture-is-gone.html?hp&_r=0[/URL]

I was in Lijiang in Yunnan Province for the X'mas holidays. At one time, almost as remote to the outside world as Mars. Horses were the mode of transportation and days & weeks rather than hours for travelling time. Yes, modern inventions and technology have improve the lives of the weather-beaten mountain people, but it's a sinking feeling that you feel as you walk through Lijiang and see the tourist junk they are selling. Same shit, shop after shop. Bongo drums, of all things! If not for the majestic surrounding mountains and the quaint villages, you might as well be in Disneyland.

"Once or twice a week, a dozen amateur musicians meet under a highway overpass on the outskirts of Beijing, carting with them drums, cymbals and a collective memory of their destroyed village. They set up quickly, then play music that is never heard anymore, not even here, where the steady drone of car muffles the lyrics of love & betrayal, heroic deeds and kingdoms lost.

Rapid unbanization means village life, the bedrock of Chinese culture is rapidly disappearing, and with it, traditions and history.".

[QUOTE=RevBS;437642]According to legendary investment guru Jim Rogers.

"Thailand has had half a dozen coups in the last few decades, but they always start up again. Buying during coups and civil unrest has usually been profitable. ".

My take, wait a while, situation is not destabilized enough yet. But the norm is that Rogers' take is usually as good as gold. But you also have to consider the variables in the perimeters of what he says in regard to your own goals and time expectations.[/QUOTE]From my point of view Thailand still has not recovered from the the Christmas tsunami. Infrastructure has not been rebuilt, and won't be as there is no money available to do so. Tourism is way down and things are worse then normal. Any one want to buy a condo in Phuket? There is no longer sufficient enough tourism that the rentals don't always cover my monthly maintenance charges!

[QUOTE=RevBS;437642]According to legendary investment guru Jim Rogers.

"Thailand has had half a dozen coups in the last few decades, but they always start up again. Buying during coups and civil unrest has usually been profitable. ".

My take, wait a while, situation is not destabilized enough yet. But the norm is that Rogers' take is usually as good as gold. But you also have to consider the variables in the perimeters of what he says in regard to your own goals and time expectations.[/QUOTE]I wish you thought his take on Obama were as good as gold. He recognizes Obama is delusional and worries his policies may bankrupt the country and / or lead to high inflation.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index is at about the same level as the 4th quarter of 2012, and stocks aren't cheap, like they were in 1998 to 2003 or 2008/2009. Toyota is threatening to move production to Indonesia because of the political instability. But this is probably better discussed in one of Giotto's threads.