Well I must tip my hat.
It takes a lot to impress me with charts, but it seems our punk rockin', business majoring, aspiring Economic Jedi Knight, Cpt. Mike has managed to do just that. And in one swift parry of his light saber has managed to destroy the fallacy that somehow global warming brought Katrina to our southern shores.
But what is particularly impressive is he made his own chart.
See kids, take note. It's one thing just to pilfer a chart from some place (which of course I do when I'm short on time), but to really impress the chicks, you gotta make your own charts.
No doubt Cpt. Mike has several female skippers lusting after him after seeing that chart.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
I'll Say it Again, Lefties Ain't as Attractive as the Righties
Seems nobody is missin' a meal in Crawford.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Right is Way Better Looking Than the Left
Truth. Lefter leaning sorts are less attractive than those of us of righter - leaning faiths.
And don't argue with me on this. They are. I've been watching, looking, and running an informal toll in my brain looking at those on the Right versus those on the left and I'm sorry, I'd rather court the fair lasses on the Right.
It orginally started when I saw the Wellstone Memorial on TV and the eclectic mix of college students, environmentalists socialists, etc., make complete asses of themselves and tip the senatorial battle to Norm Coleman. Within 48 hours I was at the Republican victory party at the Radisson in suburban Minnesota looking at a bevy of hot and fine ladies. And the looks battle could not have been more lopsided.
Ever since then I've been driving on the interstate, looking at people with Bush bumper stickers, versus Kerry bumper stickers. Bush yard signs versus Kerry yard signs. Support our troops decals, versus "Bush Lied, How Many Died" signs. Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin versus...well...anybody.
And again, I say this not to be inciteful, but because it's true, I really think people on the Right are better looking folk than those on the left.
Now this could be for any number of reasons, but without pondering it much I have a sort of half-ass theory; Darwinism. Specifically, survival of the fittest.
You see, democrats do not like competition. They like fairness and a level playing field. Heck, they don't even like to play, they just like ties and we all go home winners. Republicans know better. Republicans know that competition and survival of the fittest is what governs the world. It's not how we'd like it, that's just how it is.
Don't believe me? Well no doubt you're a union member seeing your job being obsoleted by foreign competition and want the government to come in an protect your job (yet your loyalty to diversity and the global community runs contradictory to this...oh you poor confused leftists).
Anyway, in the competition for mating, you try to go home with the penguin with the poofiest chest. The cardinal with the brightest red. Of the man with the biggest....car. Either way, democrats fair badly in these categories on both sexes. The men are usually wimpy, skinny emasculated men who are in touch with their feelings and couldn't protect their family from an assailant if they wanted to. The women are (frankly) fat and not attractive and thus can only attract the bottom bracket of men.
There is also the element of income. Women are more attacted to men with larger....incomes. Why settle for the wiener who is a professional peace activist, living at home with his parents, when you can have the MBA graduate with a $70,000 a year job lined up. And as you make more money, people have a tendency to vote Republican more often because of the ass-raping they receive in the upper income brackets. Thus, the more attractive women can get a higher income, and thereby, more likely to be Republican guy.
The end result; the ideologies attractive different people based on how prone they are to engage in competition. And ugly people don't like engaging in competition, be it for mates or jobs in the shunned private sector. Alas, why you have not only ugly liberals, but the majority of liberals employed in sectors of the economy that require no competition; non-profit, government, charities, academia.
Either way, more proof for my theory came in the mail yesterday when the Minneapolis democrats sent in the mail their list of preferred candidates. I don't have a scanner, but I went online and put together a mural of their "beauty" queens and kings. Sure, there's a couple good looking people in there, but most are ugly.
I shall point out a couple other things, for they seem to be consistentcies across the left;
The women wear those glasses that just scream "LIBERAL." I don't know if it's the glasses or that they're all fat and the cheecks combined with glasses give it the liberal effect.
The men look gay. I mean this not as an affront to gay people. I like gays. I'm for gay marriage. It's just usually they men aren't gay, they're just feminine.
Every guy in this picture I could take in a fight in their prime, except for the old guy. He seems to be an old-school democrat who might have played some football and worked in the private sector.
Not one girl in this picture would I sleep with, even in their prime, and even if I was paid a tidy sum.
Anyway, yes, blanketing statements across the board. But I'll see if I can scrounge up the Republican ones and do a comparison.
And don't argue with me on this. They are. I've been watching, looking, and running an informal toll in my brain looking at those on the Right versus those on the left and I'm sorry, I'd rather court the fair lasses on the Right.
It orginally started when I saw the Wellstone Memorial on TV and the eclectic mix of college students, environmentalists socialists, etc., make complete asses of themselves and tip the senatorial battle to Norm Coleman. Within 48 hours I was at the Republican victory party at the Radisson in suburban Minnesota looking at a bevy of hot and fine ladies. And the looks battle could not have been more lopsided.
Ever since then I've been driving on the interstate, looking at people with Bush bumper stickers, versus Kerry bumper stickers. Bush yard signs versus Kerry yard signs. Support our troops decals, versus "Bush Lied, How Many Died" signs. Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin versus...well...anybody.
And again, I say this not to be inciteful, but because it's true, I really think people on the Right are better looking folk than those on the left.
Now this could be for any number of reasons, but without pondering it much I have a sort of half-ass theory; Darwinism. Specifically, survival of the fittest.
You see, democrats do not like competition. They like fairness and a level playing field. Heck, they don't even like to play, they just like ties and we all go home winners. Republicans know better. Republicans know that competition and survival of the fittest is what governs the world. It's not how we'd like it, that's just how it is.
Don't believe me? Well no doubt you're a union member seeing your job being obsoleted by foreign competition and want the government to come in an protect your job (yet your loyalty to diversity and the global community runs contradictory to this...oh you poor confused leftists).
Anyway, in the competition for mating, you try to go home with the penguin with the poofiest chest. The cardinal with the brightest red. Of the man with the biggest....car. Either way, democrats fair badly in these categories on both sexes. The men are usually wimpy, skinny emasculated men who are in touch with their feelings and couldn't protect their family from an assailant if they wanted to. The women are (frankly) fat and not attractive and thus can only attract the bottom bracket of men.
There is also the element of income. Women are more attacted to men with larger....incomes. Why settle for the wiener who is a professional peace activist, living at home with his parents, when you can have the MBA graduate with a $70,000 a year job lined up. And as you make more money, people have a tendency to vote Republican more often because of the ass-raping they receive in the upper income brackets. Thus, the more attractive women can get a higher income, and thereby, more likely to be Republican guy.
The end result; the ideologies attractive different people based on how prone they are to engage in competition. And ugly people don't like engaging in competition, be it for mates or jobs in the shunned private sector. Alas, why you have not only ugly liberals, but the majority of liberals employed in sectors of the economy that require no competition; non-profit, government, charities, academia.
Either way, more proof for my theory came in the mail yesterday when the Minneapolis democrats sent in the mail their list of preferred candidates. I don't have a scanner, but I went online and put together a mural of their "beauty" queens and kings. Sure, there's a couple good looking people in there, but most are ugly.
I shall point out a couple other things, for they seem to be consistentcies across the left;
The women wear those glasses that just scream "LIBERAL." I don't know if it's the glasses or that they're all fat and the cheecks combined with glasses give it the liberal effect.
The men look gay. I mean this not as an affront to gay people. I like gays. I'm for gay marriage. It's just usually they men aren't gay, they're just feminine.
Every guy in this picture I could take in a fight in their prime, except for the old guy. He seems to be an old-school democrat who might have played some football and worked in the private sector.
Not one girl in this picture would I sleep with, even in their prime, and even if I was paid a tidy sum.
Anyway, yes, blanketing statements across the board. But I'll see if I can scrounge up the Republican ones and do a comparison.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
For Bucktown, BradMan, and all the Other Horn Dogs Out There
I have implemented a new policy.
It was requested some time ago that I post a picture of a knock out babe I had gone out with a couple of times. I of course held reservations about throwing some girl's mug up on the internet to have a bunch of hormone crazed econo-types drool over her. That and I date a fair amount.
But two things have convinced me otherwise;
1. While I banter about my exploits in dancing and chatting up the ladies, I have now received several e-mails contesting my looks and my ability to get a hot girl. That indeed I am a nerdy economist who is ugly and cannot possibly attract the type of girls I am describing. That being an economist and dating a hot babe are mutually exclusive events.
Oh yeah, well I'll show you! I'll defy the laws of physics!
2. As with most courtships, they end and do not end up in marriage. The girl bails, stands you up, there ain't no chemistry, you talk too much, she talks too much, etc. Whatever the case, if the game is over, it's over and as long as their identity is kept anonymous and the picture is tactful, I see no reason not to grant you loyal-reading-econo-pervs (just kidding guys!) your wish.
So here's the latest, the "Russian Babe" as she were. Sweet kid, nice girl, very intelligent, just chalk up the failure to forces outside my control. Regardless, American women could learn a thing or two from her.
It was requested some time ago that I post a picture of a knock out babe I had gone out with a couple of times. I of course held reservations about throwing some girl's mug up on the internet to have a bunch of hormone crazed econo-types drool over her. That and I date a fair amount.
But two things have convinced me otherwise;
1. While I banter about my exploits in dancing and chatting up the ladies, I have now received several e-mails contesting my looks and my ability to get a hot girl. That indeed I am a nerdy economist who is ugly and cannot possibly attract the type of girls I am describing. That being an economist and dating a hot babe are mutually exclusive events.
Oh yeah, well I'll show you! I'll defy the laws of physics!
2. As with most courtships, they end and do not end up in marriage. The girl bails, stands you up, there ain't no chemistry, you talk too much, she talks too much, etc. Whatever the case, if the game is over, it's over and as long as their identity is kept anonymous and the picture is tactful, I see no reason not to grant you loyal-reading-econo-pervs (just kidding guys!) your wish.
So here's the latest, the "Russian Babe" as she were. Sweet kid, nice girl, very intelligent, just chalk up the failure to forces outside my control. Regardless, American women could learn a thing or two from her.
The Germans are Coming
Entry #1, our good friend Daniel from Germany;
Just read about your chart thingie, and me likey.. like some sitcom dude would say. My chart proposal is the 1 year frame of the German DAX index. My reason for why this is the best chart: "Who thought Old Europe couldn't outperform anybody?" This may be a bit simplistic, but nevermind.. ;-)
Just read about your chart thingie, and me likey.. like some sitcom dude would say. My chart proposal is the 1 year frame of the German DAX index. My reason for why this is the best chart: "Who thought Old Europe couldn't outperform anybody?" This may be a bit simplistic, but nevermind.. ;-)
Thursday, September 08, 2005
One More Time for the Oil Idiots
OK.
It seems that there is still some confusion as to what's causing high oil prices.
So I'm gonna break it down nice and easy so that everybody can understand.
And if after this explanation, you still insist on believing that it's a conspiracy, that it's Big Oil and GW and Haliburton, well then there's nothing I can do for you, for you really don't care to know what the truth is, you just want to bitch and whine because you get some kind of psychotic kick out of it.
So here it is people;
The Top 7 Reasons Why Gas Prices are So High
It seems that there is still some confusion as to what's causing high oil prices.
So I'm gonna break it down nice and easy so that everybody can understand.
And if after this explanation, you still insist on believing that it's a conspiracy, that it's Big Oil and GW and Haliburton, well then there's nothing I can do for you, for you really don't care to know what the truth is, you just want to bitch and whine because you get some kind of psychotic kick out of it.
So here it is people;
The Top 7 Reasons Why Gas Prices are So High
- China’s booming economy demands oil.
- America, the largest economy in the world, is booming, which demands oil.
- The world, global GDP growing at 3.8%, demands oil.
- Refining capacity has been limited here in the US primarily due to environmental regulations and activism.
- The multitude of local government regulations requiring a whole host of detergents, additives, etc., be added to the gas makes refining hundreds of grades of gas somewhat costly.
- Gas taxes.
- A weak dollar.
Debit Cards for Strip Clubs?
Let it be officially known that I can’t really muster up a care about the people of New Orleans. And while there are no doubt some innocents that were caught by the forces of nature and bad luck, the majority of them decided to live in a city that was below sea level…near the sea…and did not heed warnings or orders to leave the city. And now these idiots are costing me $2,000 per debit card.
Sorry for being so blunt and cold hearted, but sadly the reality is that life is that way too.
Sorry for being so blunt and cold hearted, but sadly the reality is that life is that way too.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The Highest Rank is Captain
There's Captain's Quarters. There's Captain America. There's Captain Captain Capitalism.
And then there's Captain Mike.
Captain Mike reminds me of Peter Griffin only because he goes to college in Connecticut. Now most people would say, "Yeah, but Peter Griffin lives in Quahog, Rhode Island." And you're right, but I don't know anybody in Connecticut. The closest person I know to Connecticut is Peter Griffin in Rhode Island.
Now anal-rententive idiots will say, "But Peter Griffin is a cartoon character and Captain Mike is a real person."
Yeah, well I don't know any real people in the North East period, so this is the best I got, deal with it.
Anyway, Captain Mike runs a pretty good blog. He's a ghetto college kid who probably listens to enough old school it might cost him a GPA point or two, but don't let the fashion fool you. He's more articulate than most college professors and provides entertaining insight to the epic battle being waged across America's campuses between the entrenched and established left and the revolutionary rebellious right.
Waiting for when the chicks notice the guys on the right are the real rebels.
And then there's Captain Mike.
Captain Mike reminds me of Peter Griffin only because he goes to college in Connecticut. Now most people would say, "Yeah, but Peter Griffin lives in Quahog, Rhode Island." And you're right, but I don't know anybody in Connecticut. The closest person I know to Connecticut is Peter Griffin in Rhode Island.
Now anal-rententive idiots will say, "But Peter Griffin is a cartoon character and Captain Mike is a real person."
Yeah, well I don't know any real people in the North East period, so this is the best I got, deal with it.
Anyway, Captain Mike runs a pretty good blog. He's a ghetto college kid who probably listens to enough old school it might cost him a GPA point or two, but don't let the fashion fool you. He's more articulate than most college professors and provides entertaining insight to the epic battle being waged across America's campuses between the entrenched and established left and the revolutionary rebellious right.
Waiting for when the chicks notice the guys on the right are the real rebels.
Scott Stantis, Freaking Hilarious
OK, new favorite political cartoonist.
Scott Stantis.
Check his web site out because I don't have the time to upload all his cartoons here and I'm sure on some level it's illegal and the lawyers are currently filing a law suit against me and my massive deep-pockets blog operation.
Cindy who?
I wonder how the bitch is handling not only the loss of her son, but the loss of all the attention.
And I'm willing to bet when she's talking to her therapist it ain't about her son, but the sudden collapse of her 15 minutes of fame.
And I'm willing to bet when she's talking to her therapist it ain't about her son, but the sudden collapse of her 15 minutes of fame.
More Money for Less Work
I will continue to claim that public sector workers are not as efficient as private sector ones.
Oh, go and contest me if you want. But the biggest public sector employers, ie-communist economies, show that they are insanely incompetent at producing wealth.
Funny then that those in the public sector should get higher raises and pay than their private sector counterparts (in Britain anyway).
Alas, I contend employees of the public sector should pay and "inefficiency tax" in addition to their regular taxes.
Oh, go and contest me if you want. But the biggest public sector employers, ie-communist economies, show that they are insanely incompetent at producing wealth.
Funny then that those in the public sector should get higher raises and pay than their private sector counterparts (in Britain anyway).
Alas, I contend employees of the public sector should pay and "inefficiency tax" in addition to their regular taxes.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Some Good News and Some Bad News
I almost forgot.
The bad news is that my main day time gig has slowed down to the point that I'm looking at about 20 hours a week. This is during slow season, so I'm being driven slowly insane without any work (but is why you're getting such great posts and economic wisdom).
The good news is that I work a lot from home and my boss is cool enough that I'm now independently contracted.
The further good news is that (remember, this economy sucks now) I already found a job in a month of looking. God bless the US of freakin' A!
The uber good news is this combined with my consulting/dancing/fossil hunting that should start in a month, my old streamlined job and rental income, boo koo coin is coming in. It has never been better.
The bad news is that once this starts and I'm in busy season, this blog is going to suffer a severe lack of attention. So the posts are going to be a little more sparse and less verbose.
My apologies to the readership in advance.
The bad news is that my main day time gig has slowed down to the point that I'm looking at about 20 hours a week. This is during slow season, so I'm being driven slowly insane without any work (but is why you're getting such great posts and economic wisdom).
The good news is that I work a lot from home and my boss is cool enough that I'm now independently contracted.
The further good news is that (remember, this economy sucks now) I already found a job in a month of looking. God bless the US of freakin' A!
The uber good news is this combined with my consulting/dancing/fossil hunting that should start in a month, my old streamlined job and rental income, boo koo coin is coming in. It has never been better.
The bad news is that once this starts and I'm in busy season, this blog is going to suffer a severe lack of attention. So the posts are going to be a little more sparse and less verbose.
My apologies to the readership in advance.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
When Idiots Try to Become Economists
I'm a short, skinny white guy.
That's why I don't try to become an all-star basketball playing, pimping, frisbee-gold wearin', hip-hop-rappin', ghetto-blastin' home boy.
Word up g.
I know my strengths and I know my place.
Leave it to idiots to think they somehow have what it takes (ie-a brain and a positive IQ) to become an economist.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the dumbest, most spoiled brat Americans in the world; The people who drafted this e-mail;
That's why I don't try to become an all-star basketball playing, pimping, frisbee-gold wearin', hip-hop-rappin', ghetto-blastin' home boy.
Word up g.
I know my strengths and I know my place.
Leave it to idiots to think they somehow have what it takes (ie-a brain and a positive IQ) to become an economist.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the dumbest, most spoiled brat Americans in the world; The people who drafted this e-mail;
>> September 10th - Gasoline Strike Day
>>
>> IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT
>> PURCHASE
>> A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL
>> COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.
>>
>> AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF
>> OVER 4.6
>> BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.
>>
>> THEREFORE, Sept 10TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT TO THEM
>> DAY" AND
>>
>> THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE
>> THAT
>> DAY.
>>
>> THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS
>> MANY
>> PEOPLE
>> A S YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.
>>
>> WAITING ON THIS ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS
>> NOT
>> GOING
>> TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT
THE
>> ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?
>>
>> REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT
AT
>> THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING
>> COMPANIES ARE
>> FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT
IS
>> SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL
>> SUPPLIES
>> ETC. WHO
>> PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!
>>
>> WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE
>> DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.
>>
>> SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD.
>>
>> PLEASE FORWARD!!!!!
Friday, August 26, 2005
Broadcasting Again / Who Defines You
Well two things here folks;
1. I'll be broadcasting from AM 1500 again in scenic St. Paul Minnesota from the Minnesota State Fair. Certainly feel free to tune in or do that internet radio link up thing or webcast or whatever they call it.
2. Interesting conversation I had recently where I was asked who defines you, fictional or otherwise.
Nicholas Wolfwood
Jubei Kibagami
Oddball from Kelly's Heroes
Spike Spiegel
Only the truest of nerds will get this.
1. I'll be broadcasting from AM 1500 again in scenic St. Paul Minnesota from the Minnesota State Fair. Certainly feel free to tune in or do that internet radio link up thing or webcast or whatever they call it.
2. Interesting conversation I had recently where I was asked who defines you, fictional or otherwise.
Nicholas Wolfwood
Jubei Kibagami
Oddball from Kelly's Heroes
Spike Spiegel
Only the truest of nerds will get this.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
$20 I Didn't Want to Win
As I have pointed out before, I am a cynic.
Thus last week when one of my male friends came up to me and said he had a date for Thursday (today) certainly I was happy for him, but my first question was;
"What do you think the chances are she'll show?"
I asked this not because I am cynical, but because this friend of mine is not some old, battle-hardened, seasoned veteran of the Courtship Wars, but rather a youthful 26 year old kid who still has that glimmer of hope in his eyes. Who still has that optimistic choo-choo that could mentality. Who watches a lot of movies and still believes in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. And worse still, he believes that when a woman says yes to a date, that means he's actually going out on it.
I just wanted to prepare him for what I inevitably saw happening; "The Worst."
"The Worst" is not something that can happen to an old cynic like you or me. But it can happen to kids out there that are so young, youthful and idealistic they still get that "giddy" feeling. Remember that feeling from LOOONG ago? Like when you finally asked Suzie Johnson out in biology and she said yes? Why you were on cloud nine for the rest of the week. Brimming at the edge with anticipation and excitement of the upcoming date.
Yeah, well scratch that, for that "giddy" feeling has been pummeled out of us. For after countless last minute cancelltions, family emergencies, and well, just out right stand ups, us experienced folk never take it for granted that we're actually going on the date.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for these young, idealistic kids.
Thus "The Worst" isn't when old farts like you or me get cancelled on at the last minute. Heck no, most of us even prepare for it, having a back up date/plans in reserve. "The Worst" is when some young innocent kid with romantic notions of chivalry and kindness rockets to Cloud #9 on 100% Giddy Up n' Go Fuel, and then plummets back to Earth at the speed of sound when the girl cancels at the last minute.
Flower in hand, tickets in pocket, a droopy look on his face. The poor kid didn't see it coming.
Which is why I was so blunt and cynical, for I did not want my young friend to suffer such a fall.
Of course not everybody shared my views. For last night, T-24 hours to the date, we were all having dinner with some friends. One of which was a female friend who watched even MORE movies than the other guy and even believed in things like Leprechauns, the UN, and social security.
And when my young friend said,
"I don't know about my date tomorrow, I'm getting the feeling she's gonna bail"
She said,
"No, she wouldn't cancel on you. She'll show up"
That's when my capitalistic Spidey Senses started tingling, for I knew there was profit to be had.
"I'll bet you $20 she bails."
Being nice and brainwashed by watching too many G-rated movies the girl practically jumped across the living room to accept my wager and shake my hand.
"I'll take that $20!" she said confidently enough that I was somewhat worried my Spidey Senses had failed me.
I looked to my friend and asked,
"Is she American?"
"Yes."
"Brought up in America?"
"Yes."
"You're so on! $20 it is."
Fast forward 22 hours later and I get a call. A call from my young friend.
"You were right, she bailed."
Ahhh, the sweet joys of victory. Almost worth more than the $20 I'm going to collect. You can always rely on the American woman to act in a manner that does not warrant chivalry nor respect.
But having said that and being totally honest, I wish I didn't have to collect that $20. It certainly would be worth $20 for my young friend to be happy, to go on a date, and eliminate the need to be so cynical. It would certainly be worth the $20 to eliminate the cynicism and replace it with that good ol' fashion giddy feeling we used to get when we were young. It certainly would be worth $20 for American women to act in a manner that would warrant chivalry and respect.
Alas, that is wishful thinking on the order of thinking Santa Claus will bring me a Bloomberg Terminal and my own personal F-16 fighter plane this upcoming Christmas.
But there is hope. Hope that came from out of nowhere and from a sector I wasn't expecting. For you may have noticed my insistence on using the adjective "American" in the term "American woman."
Alas, it is more than manual labor that can be outsourced and cultural diversity isn't necessarily a bad thing I'm finding out.
I must thank Doinkicarus.
Thus last week when one of my male friends came up to me and said he had a date for Thursday (today) certainly I was happy for him, but my first question was;
"What do you think the chances are she'll show?"
I asked this not because I am cynical, but because this friend of mine is not some old, battle-hardened, seasoned veteran of the Courtship Wars, but rather a youthful 26 year old kid who still has that glimmer of hope in his eyes. Who still has that optimistic choo-choo that could mentality. Who watches a lot of movies and still believes in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. And worse still, he believes that when a woman says yes to a date, that means he's actually going out on it.
I just wanted to prepare him for what I inevitably saw happening; "The Worst."
"The Worst" is not something that can happen to an old cynic like you or me. But it can happen to kids out there that are so young, youthful and idealistic they still get that "giddy" feeling. Remember that feeling from LOOONG ago? Like when you finally asked Suzie Johnson out in biology and she said yes? Why you were on cloud nine for the rest of the week. Brimming at the edge with anticipation and excitement of the upcoming date.
Yeah, well scratch that, for that "giddy" feeling has been pummeled out of us. For after countless last minute cancelltions, family emergencies, and well, just out right stand ups, us experienced folk never take it for granted that we're actually going on the date.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for these young, idealistic kids.
Thus "The Worst" isn't when old farts like you or me get cancelled on at the last minute. Heck no, most of us even prepare for it, having a back up date/plans in reserve. "The Worst" is when some young innocent kid with romantic notions of chivalry and kindness rockets to Cloud #9 on 100% Giddy Up n' Go Fuel, and then plummets back to Earth at the speed of sound when the girl cancels at the last minute.
Flower in hand, tickets in pocket, a droopy look on his face. The poor kid didn't see it coming.
Which is why I was so blunt and cynical, for I did not want my young friend to suffer such a fall.
Of course not everybody shared my views. For last night, T-24 hours to the date, we were all having dinner with some friends. One of which was a female friend who watched even MORE movies than the other guy and even believed in things like Leprechauns, the UN, and social security.
And when my young friend said,
"I don't know about my date tomorrow, I'm getting the feeling she's gonna bail"
She said,
"No, she wouldn't cancel on you. She'll show up"
That's when my capitalistic Spidey Senses started tingling, for I knew there was profit to be had.
"I'll bet you $20 she bails."
Being nice and brainwashed by watching too many G-rated movies the girl practically jumped across the living room to accept my wager and shake my hand.
"I'll take that $20!" she said confidently enough that I was somewhat worried my Spidey Senses had failed me.
I looked to my friend and asked,
"Is she American?"
"Yes."
"Brought up in America?"
"Yes."
"You're so on! $20 it is."
Fast forward 22 hours later and I get a call. A call from my young friend.
"You were right, she bailed."
Ahhh, the sweet joys of victory. Almost worth more than the $20 I'm going to collect. You can always rely on the American woman to act in a manner that does not warrant chivalry nor respect.
But having said that and being totally honest, I wish I didn't have to collect that $20. It certainly would be worth $20 for my young friend to be happy, to go on a date, and eliminate the need to be so cynical. It would certainly be worth the $20 to eliminate the cynicism and replace it with that good ol' fashion giddy feeling we used to get when we were young. It certainly would be worth $20 for American women to act in a manner that would warrant chivalry and respect.
Alas, that is wishful thinking on the order of thinking Santa Claus will bring me a Bloomberg Terminal and my own personal F-16 fighter plane this upcoming Christmas.
But there is hope. Hope that came from out of nowhere and from a sector I wasn't expecting. For you may have noticed my insistence on using the adjective "American" in the term "American woman."
Alas, it is more than manual labor that can be outsourced and cultural diversity isn't necessarily a bad thing I'm finding out.
I must thank Doinkicarus.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Oil Prices for the Masses
OK, so I've gotten enough requests to throw this chart up, so here it is.
We've still got a ways to go before we hit our inflationary-adjusted highs.
We've still got a ways to go before we hit our inflationary-adjusted highs.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Who Doesn't Like a Good Chart
I like charts.
Charts are cool.
And we all know that chicks dig guys who can make good charts.
I mean, I don't know how many times I'd be sitting there at the bar or the jazz club with my laptop, watching all these foolish guys trying to smooth talk the ladies or buy them drinks. And then all I do is fire up Excel, type some random numbers into the spreadsheet and make a pointless pie chart, and BOOM! They just flock to my table.
Now, as you all know I pride myself on my charts, but mention should be given to others who appreciate the value and merits of charts.
Brad DeLong is one of those people.
Of course, his blog doesn't have quite as many charts as I have, but he still can whip up a mean chart!
Check out his blog
Charts are cool.
And we all know that chicks dig guys who can make good charts.
I mean, I don't know how many times I'd be sitting there at the bar or the jazz club with my laptop, watching all these foolish guys trying to smooth talk the ladies or buy them drinks. And then all I do is fire up Excel, type some random numbers into the spreadsheet and make a pointless pie chart, and BOOM! They just flock to my table.
Now, as you all know I pride myself on my charts, but mention should be given to others who appreciate the value and merits of charts.Brad DeLong is one of those people.
Of course, his blog doesn't have quite as many charts as I have, but he still can whip up a mean chart!
Check out his blog
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Ode to Cindy Sheehan
I really couldn't care less about Cindy Sheehan and the circus that surrounds her, but she is the perfect example of where a person's ego supercedes the cause.
Regardless of what you think of the war, here you have a mom who has used the death of her son to masturbate her own ego. Forget that her son was totally for the war and made the ultimate sacrifice. Forget about his wishes or even showing respect for her son. Forget that she's destroyed her family and prompted her husband to file divorce while trying to feed the unsatiable beast known as her ego. She gets all the attention in the world, instant celebrityship and notoriety from millions of people throughout the world that have equally pointless and hallow lives and thus need something to give them definition and meaning in their lives. All for the small selling of her soul by using her son's corpse as a pawn.
Lady, you're scum on the lowest order and if my mom ever did this (which she wouldn't because she's loving and caring and doesn't have such an ego, unlike you) I would come back from the dead and beat you freaking senseless.
Thus, aspiring young economists and capitalists, it's time to review, for I'm going to say it again;
Their egos supercede the cause. Learn it, know it. For it is your enemy and it is the enemy within.
Review #1
Review #2
Regardless of what you think of the war, here you have a mom who has used the death of her son to masturbate her own ego. Forget that her son was totally for the war and made the ultimate sacrifice. Forget about his wishes or even showing respect for her son. Forget that she's destroyed her family and prompted her husband to file divorce while trying to feed the unsatiable beast known as her ego. She gets all the attention in the world, instant celebrityship and notoriety from millions of people throughout the world that have equally pointless and hallow lives and thus need something to give them definition and meaning in their lives. All for the small selling of her soul by using her son's corpse as a pawn.
Lady, you're scum on the lowest order and if my mom ever did this (which she wouldn't because she's loving and caring and doesn't have such an ego, unlike you) I would come back from the dead and beat you freaking senseless.
Thus, aspiring young economists and capitalists, it's time to review, for I'm going to say it again;
Their egos supercede the cause. Learn it, know it. For it is your enemy and it is the enemy within.
Review #1
Review #2
Friday, August 19, 2005
That's What I'm Talking About!
I like betting liberals. Quickest way to make a quick buck and to make your point.
It's seems my Russian comrades have the same idea.
Of course, soon they will find out that unless they nail the specifics of the bet down and have it in writing and have a concrete way of determining who won, the leftists will try to weasel their way out on a technicality or crap data.
It's seems my Russian comrades have the same idea.
Of course, soon they will find out that unless they nail the specifics of the bet down and have it in writing and have a concrete way of determining who won, the leftists will try to weasel their way out on a technicality or crap data.
Monday, August 15, 2005
The Standard Bearer for Women Has Passed Away
I get the vast majority of my morals from dogs.
Dogs are probably the most honorable, upstanding, creatures on the face of the planet and you can learn a lot of things from dogs.
For example my first dog, Pretzel, was a proud, fierce dachshund. He would take on German Shepherds regardless of whether they took him seriously or not. He was insanely loyal. He loved his family unconditionally. And despite his physical handicap of being a wiener dog, that never stopped him from pointlessly trying to kill as many squirrels, chipmunks, badgers, raccoons, and cats (his total kill tally was 0).
His replacement was Louise, a fat, orphaned dachshund that was very motherly. So motherly she would bark in a lecturing tone if people hadn't gotten up at a certain time. Upon our first meeting when I had come back home from college and was shredded from a 24 hour shift she somehow sensed that I was weakened and tired and "protected" me all night by sleeping at the foot of the futon in case I was somehow attacked by a late night assailant. The next day I immediately got the impression that she viewed me as her son as she followed me around not in a "gee you wanna play" manner, but a very protective, authoritative, but caring manner.
Constantly wanting attention. Constantly wanting to kiss me. Constantly wanting to set at the couch next to me. Constantly excited any time I would show up.
Over the years I noticed that Louise displayed a whole bevy of characteristics that if they were to be imbedded in a human woman, it would make for the perfect girl.
She was unrivalledly sweet, kind and caring.
She had unconditional and limitless love for her family.
She was so excited to see me she could barely control herself...and many times didn't as she would wet the floor...this last aspect would not be desirable in a girl.
She was completely loyal and protective.
She wouldn't just kiss me, she'd smother me with attention.
She would always want to play and appreciated the gifts I'd bring her (her favorite of which were squeak toys)
Sadly, Louise was a dog and dogs don't live forever, and thus, she passed away today. But as all dogs before her she left me something very important; a standard by which I judge all human girls.
Alas, it's a standard very few human girls meet, but that's just how great a dog she was.
Dogs are probably the most honorable, upstanding, creatures on the face of the planet and you can learn a lot of things from dogs.
For example my first dog, Pretzel, was a proud, fierce dachshund. He would take on German Shepherds regardless of whether they took him seriously or not. He was insanely loyal. He loved his family unconditionally. And despite his physical handicap of being a wiener dog, that never stopped him from pointlessly trying to kill as many squirrels, chipmunks, badgers, raccoons, and cats (his total kill tally was 0).
His replacement was Louise, a fat, orphaned dachshund that was very motherly. So motherly she would bark in a lecturing tone if people hadn't gotten up at a certain time. Upon our first meeting when I had come back home from college and was shredded from a 24 hour shift she somehow sensed that I was weakened and tired and "protected" me all night by sleeping at the foot of the futon in case I was somehow attacked by a late night assailant. The next day I immediately got the impression that she viewed me as her son as she followed me around not in a "gee you wanna play" manner, but a very protective, authoritative, but caring manner.
Constantly wanting attention. Constantly wanting to kiss me. Constantly wanting to set at the couch next to me. Constantly excited any time I would show up.
Over the years I noticed that Louise displayed a whole bevy of characteristics that if they were to be imbedded in a human woman, it would make for the perfect girl.
She was unrivalledly sweet, kind and caring.
She had unconditional and limitless love for her family.
She was so excited to see me she could barely control herself...and many times didn't as she would wet the floor...this last aspect would not be desirable in a girl.
She was completely loyal and protective.
She wouldn't just kiss me, she'd smother me with attention.
She would always want to play and appreciated the gifts I'd bring her (her favorite of which were squeak toys)
Sadly, Louise was a dog and dogs don't live forever, and thus, she passed away today. But as all dogs before her she left me something very important; a standard by which I judge all human girls.
Alas, it's a standard very few human girls meet, but that's just how great a dog she was.
The Merits of Video Games
A wise sage that shall in this post only be referenced to as "Kilgs" was so wise that he was actually able to convince women that playing video games was indeed a good thing for their boyfriends and something they should endorse. He did it by stating some simple facts;
1. You know where they are.
2. You know they are not going to get into a fight or commit crimes.
3. It costs less than going out and boozing it up and clubbing.
4. And, if anything video games act as an enforcer of loyalty because you KNOW FOR A FACT there aren't any other women there.
It was because of the wise Kilgs that myself and the St. Paul boys were able to experience a Golden Age of Video Games where we would hold weekend long Halo extravaganza's and the girlfriends were only too happy to drop on by, airlift us food and beer, and then promptly leave whilst we slaughtered each other over the DSL cables.
But alas, this isn't enough to convince the Nanny Fascists from trying to ruin our fun. On top of finding ways to tax smoking, banning smoking, and make headway into villianizing unhealthy foods, the Nanny Fascists are now talking about the "evils" of video games. Making for odd bed-fellows between the religious right fanatics and their traditional tax-for-any-reason-we-can communist enemies.
Once again, time to defend your fun boys against the true forces of evil.
1. You know where they are.
2. You know they are not going to get into a fight or commit crimes.
3. It costs less than going out and boozing it up and clubbing.
4. And, if anything video games act as an enforcer of loyalty because you KNOW FOR A FACT there aren't any other women there.
It was because of the wise Kilgs that myself and the St. Paul boys were able to experience a Golden Age of Video Games where we would hold weekend long Halo extravaganza's and the girlfriends were only too happy to drop on by, airlift us food and beer, and then promptly leave whilst we slaughtered each other over the DSL cables.
But alas, this isn't enough to convince the Nanny Fascists from trying to ruin our fun. On top of finding ways to tax smoking, banning smoking, and make headway into villianizing unhealthy foods, the Nanny Fascists are now talking about the "evils" of video games. Making for odd bed-fellows between the religious right fanatics and their traditional tax-for-any-reason-we-can communist enemies.
Once again, time to defend your fun boys against the true forces of evil.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
I Was Stabbed in the Back!
I was a young and foolish 23 year old at the time and it was the only time (at least to my knowledge anyway) that a girlfriend cheated on me. A knock out dame that she was, but she was what most people would consider to be a bitch. A bulimic, soap opera queen from L.A. that would nit pick the minorest of things to make a big drama out of it. Add to that the person she cheated on me with was a 36 year old personal injury lawyer who had wined and dined her at the most expensive places in the Twin Cities metro, offered to buy her a car and pay her way through college while he was married no less, and it made for quite the colorful story of betrayal.
This was one of the more forming experiences in my life especially in the department of trust. Never again did I approach a date or a potential courtship with optimism or hope, but rather skepticism and very cautious and very measured optimism. But beyond that my faith and trust in things outside girls, dating and courtship didn’t change for I didn’t perceive the threat of betrayal from those aspects of my life.
Well now, 7 years later, I am shocked and without words. For I have been betrayed even worse than the time Bulimic Babe cheated on me. I am more betrayed than when Brutus killed Cesear. I am more betrayed than when JFK left the Cuban fighters to die in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
My stalwart companion, my friend of all friends, an entity I have known and trusted for over 9 years, has stabbed me in the back. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the cover of the most recent issue of The Economist.
Those bastards!
This was one of the more forming experiences in my life especially in the department of trust. Never again did I approach a date or a potential courtship with optimism or hope, but rather skepticism and very cautious and very measured optimism. But beyond that my faith and trust in things outside girls, dating and courtship didn’t change for I didn’t perceive the threat of betrayal from those aspects of my life.
Well now, 7 years later, I am shocked and without words. For I have been betrayed even worse than the time Bulimic Babe cheated on me. I am more betrayed than when Brutus killed Cesear. I am more betrayed than when JFK left the Cuban fighters to die in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
My stalwart companion, my friend of all friends, an entity I have known and trusted for over 9 years, has stabbed me in the back. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the cover of the most recent issue of The Economist.
Those bastards!
Monday, August 08, 2005
Those Chinese Bastards! How Dare They!
Whilst in slow season I participate in a political discussion group to beat some sense into the group. They mock and ridicule me, but the chicks secretly find me sexy.
However, one of the bigger differences I have with two of the guys in the group is whether a strong China would be a good China. This of course depends on who is in command and a bevy of other factors, but there are basically two camps;
Thus, it was a pleasure to see this in the news today;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050808/ap_on_bi_ge/china_boeing
However, one of the bigger differences I have with two of the guys in the group is whether a strong China would be a good China. This of course depends on who is in command and a bevy of other factors, but there are basically two camps;
- As China gains economic and military power the communists will inevitably crush the US through military or economic warfare.
- As China gains economic power and further free up their economy, the communists will only be communists in name and they will form an economy mutual advantageous to both the US and China and will become probably one of our best allies in the long run.
Thus, it was a pleasure to see this in the news today;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050808/ap_on_bi_ge/china_boeing
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Life is Harsh, and So am I
Greetings fellow readers;
Before reading on, make sure you read this and then this.
It shall put things into context.
Enjoy!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-10-internet-defamation-case_x.htm
And here's another.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/711046/lawsuits_aim_at_libelous_bloggers/index.html?source=r_technology
What's the word I'm looking for? Precedent?????
Before reading on, make sure you read this and then this.
It shall put things into context.
Enjoy!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-10-internet-defamation-case_x.htm
And here's another.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/711046/lawsuits_aim_at_libelous_bloggers/index.html?source=r_technology
What's the word I'm looking for? Precedent?????
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Wish One of 'Em was a Video Game Playing Economist
Very interesting chart in The Economist couple issues back. I figure .1% of the top income earners, given roughly half of the population works, which means there's 140 million income earners, so that's the top 140,000 income earners in the US. At least one of them HAS TO BE A SEXY VIDEO GAME PLAYING ECONOMIST BABE!!!
Friday, July 29, 2005
The Costs of Having a Child
Children, as we all know, are evil.
For those with children, one only needs to look upon their happy and carefree single, childless days as testament to that fact.
And for those of us without the hell-minions, we are constantly reminded of this fact everytime we call up one of our fallen brethren to see if they want to get a beer.
"Hey John, want to get a beer?"
"No, little Skyler contracted Ebola at school and infected the rest of us at the house. I'll be able to go out again in 18 years...assuming my wife doesn't want to have another one."
Of course, those with children will always say they are happy that they had children, but we know several things are wrong with this;
1. Misery loves company and their advocation of having children is merely propaganda for you to join them in Hell on Earth.
2. It's not like they can say, "Gee, I really wish I didn't have children." NOBODY will ever say that. Instead they will ALL say that "they're glad they had children." The way to tell the liars from the truth-tellers is that the liars aren't smiling when they say it and say it with a tone that sounds forced. Whereas those truly compassionate about children will not only tell you how happy they are they had children, but won't shut up about them either!
3. It's a fact of psychology that people don't like to admit they've made a mistake, so they'll trick themselves into believing they actually enjoy having children.
But the ultimate proof as to the evilness of children is that it says so in the bible.
Corinthians VI, Chapter 83, Verse 142
"Children are evil, sayeth the Lord. Have not any and thou shalt live a beautiful life, free of stress and pain."
The only reason you've never heard that is because it's a conspiracy of the religious right to increase their ranks through birthing more members.
Regardless, I only speak of children because at the age 30 I'm experiencing something I think some of the Luftwaffe pilots experienced in late 1940 when they challenged Britain,
Dwindling numbers.
Six years ago, there were scores of us. Hundreds of us, elite fighters and bombers, all flying in formation, carrying out our missions, flying about freely in the sky, drinking, dancing, hitting on girls at clubs, sleeping in till whenever we wanted. Then out of nowhere, droves of British Spitfires came in and started pouring hell on us. We immediately lost the stragglers, some of the weak ones in the herd, but were optimistically confident in our abilities and thought we could hold our formation. Oh, but how foolish we were, for those Spitfires were unrelenting.
With vastly superior firepower, speed and maneuverability we started taking heavy casualties from the Brits. Superior guns and marksmanship ensured their bullets met their mark with deadly accuracy. Bf-109s and wreckage of Ju-87's were falling from the sky, even I couldn't escape unscathed and suffered a hit. And before I knew it there was nobody left. Just me and a couple of fighters from St. Paul that had managed to escape the deadly wrath of being married with children.
Sadly we couldn't raise anybody on the radio to see if they'd want to get a beer. No, just their British captors would be on the other end saying, "John can't go out with you tonight. He has to go to church and then we're putting in pot rack and he's driving me to pilates."
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Thus, I feel it my patriotic and American duty as one of the few free fighters left in this god-foresaken war to remind you all about the evils of children and point out some of the economic ramifications of having them. Namely, what they cost.
Not many years ago when teaching at the local community college where they only accept the best the public schools have to offer, I noticed a fair amount of female students already had children, no husband to speak of, of course, but they had children. The trick was how could I adroitly show them what moronic sluts they were without getting in trouble with the PC powers that be. Thus to display the concept of "opportunity cost" I looked up what it costs to raise a child, $160,140 (circa 1999), and then deduced the following opportunity costs;
Also be aware that $160,140 figure does NOT include college.
Now, this was somewhat dated material and like mortgages, retirements, etc., there are calculators online that allow you to calculate the costs of raising a child. Furthermore, these calculators are a bit more robust in that they'll allow you to change some variables. So for those of you stupid enough to pay for your little child's degree in Peace Studies or Sociology, you can include that in your calculations.
Best site I've found is this one at The Baby Center
So, to all of you out there with children or aspiring to have one, don't say I didn't warn you.
As for me and my few remaining battlefield friends, I think I shall get myself a little nap before I go out and treat myself to a nice dinner and maybe a show...all of which will be done on the spur of the moment as I need not find a baby sitter.
For those with children, one only needs to look upon their happy and carefree single, childless days as testament to that fact.
And for those of us without the hell-minions, we are constantly reminded of this fact everytime we call up one of our fallen brethren to see if they want to get a beer.
"Hey John, want to get a beer?"
"No, little Skyler contracted Ebola at school and infected the rest of us at the house. I'll be able to go out again in 18 years...assuming my wife doesn't want to have another one."
Of course, those with children will always say they are happy that they had children, but we know several things are wrong with this;
1. Misery loves company and their advocation of having children is merely propaganda for you to join them in Hell on Earth.
2. It's not like they can say, "Gee, I really wish I didn't have children." NOBODY will ever say that. Instead they will ALL say that "they're glad they had children." The way to tell the liars from the truth-tellers is that the liars aren't smiling when they say it and say it with a tone that sounds forced. Whereas those truly compassionate about children will not only tell you how happy they are they had children, but won't shut up about them either!
3. It's a fact of psychology that people don't like to admit they've made a mistake, so they'll trick themselves into believing they actually enjoy having children.
But the ultimate proof as to the evilness of children is that it says so in the bible.
Corinthians VI, Chapter 83, Verse 142
"Children are evil, sayeth the Lord. Have not any and thou shalt live a beautiful life, free of stress and pain."
The only reason you've never heard that is because it's a conspiracy of the religious right to increase their ranks through birthing more members.
Regardless, I only speak of children because at the age 30 I'm experiencing something I think some of the Luftwaffe pilots experienced in late 1940 when they challenged Britain,
Dwindling numbers.
Six years ago, there were scores of us. Hundreds of us, elite fighters and bombers, all flying in formation, carrying out our missions, flying about freely in the sky, drinking, dancing, hitting on girls at clubs, sleeping in till whenever we wanted. Then out of nowhere, droves of British Spitfires came in and started pouring hell on us. We immediately lost the stragglers, some of the weak ones in the herd, but were optimistically confident in our abilities and thought we could hold our formation. Oh, but how foolish we were, for those Spitfires were unrelenting.
With vastly superior firepower, speed and maneuverability we started taking heavy casualties from the Brits. Superior guns and marksmanship ensured their bullets met their mark with deadly accuracy. Bf-109s and wreckage of Ju-87's were falling from the sky, even I couldn't escape unscathed and suffered a hit. And before I knew it there was nobody left. Just me and a couple of fighters from St. Paul that had managed to escape the deadly wrath of being married with children.
Sadly we couldn't raise anybody on the radio to see if they'd want to get a beer. No, just their British captors would be on the other end saying, "John can't go out with you tonight. He has to go to church and then we're putting in pot rack and he's driving me to pilates."
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Thus, I feel it my patriotic and American duty as one of the few free fighters left in this god-foresaken war to remind you all about the evils of children and point out some of the economic ramifications of having them. Namely, what they cost.
Not many years ago when teaching at the local community college where they only accept the best the public schools have to offer, I noticed a fair amount of female students already had children, no husband to speak of, of course, but they had children. The trick was how could I adroitly show them what moronic sluts they were without getting in trouble with the PC powers that be. Thus to display the concept of "opportunity cost" I looked up what it costs to raise a child, $160,140 (circa 1999), and then deduced the following opportunity costs;
- a brand new Ferrari
- a doctorate degree at Harvard
- a new house
- a luxury yatch
- a Cray super computer
- 534 X-Boxes
- 457 pure bred wiener dogs
- a 5 year vacation
- roughly $600,000 had it been invested in the S&P 500 Index
Also be aware that $160,140 figure does NOT include college.
Now, this was somewhat dated material and like mortgages, retirements, etc., there are calculators online that allow you to calculate the costs of raising a child. Furthermore, these calculators are a bit more robust in that they'll allow you to change some variables. So for those of you stupid enough to pay for your little child's degree in Peace Studies or Sociology, you can include that in your calculations.
Best site I've found is this one at The Baby Center
So, to all of you out there with children or aspiring to have one, don't say I didn't warn you.
As for me and my few remaining battlefield friends, I think I shall get myself a little nap before I go out and treat myself to a nice dinner and maybe a show...all of which will be done on the spur of the moment as I need not find a baby sitter.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Stupid Acronyms #1
Some people get up every morning, go to work and crunch numbers. Some go to construction sites and build houses. And some go to a burger joint to flip burgers. But while seemingly everyone else in the United States is in one way or another producing wealth and contributing to GDP, there are a group of people, predominantly leftists, who are seemingly only capable of coming up with the most stupid acronyms for some of the most stupid organizations with the most stupid causes. Drives me fricking batty.
Thus every time I come across one of these lame organizations, I shall highlight them and their inane acronym so that they may be mocked and ridiculed.
Today's stupid acronymn hails from San Bernardino where the schools insist on teaching the black students in ebonics and encourage the further butchering of the English language.
SANKOFAI
Students
Accumulating
New
Knowledge
Optimizing
Future
Accomplishment
Initiative
Rock on San Bernardino Public Schools! Nothing like keeping blacks down and impoverished while lying to their face!
Thus every time I come across one of these lame organizations, I shall highlight them and their inane acronym so that they may be mocked and ridiculed.
Today's stupid acronymn hails from San Bernardino where the schools insist on teaching the black students in ebonics and encourage the further butchering of the English language.
SANKOFAI
Students
Accumulating
New
Knowledge
Optimizing
Future
Accomplishment
Initiative
Rock on San Bernardino Public Schools! Nothing like keeping blacks down and impoverished while lying to their face!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Friday, July 22, 2005
The Most Important Decision
As an economist you get to ponder a lot of life's major issues. Questions of life and death. Qualitative judgements. Things like;
"Do we continue to give aid to Africa or do we cut them off completely, knowing full well there will be millions of deaths, but we'd be saving millions of more in the future as the population would dwindle to a point where the economic infrastructure would be able to support it."
Or;
"At what point is it not worth paying for the elderly's health care? Should we drop $100,000 just to keep an decrepit old man alive another 6 months, or should we just let him die?"
Or;
"How much is a person's life really worth in the case of a wrongful death lawsuit? How much should the plantiff be awarded for the loss of her child/husband?"
We are unfortunately put in the position of being forced to play God.
But recently I was put in the position to make a decision that I would have never imagined I would have to make. A decision that without a doubt will be the biggest one I ever have to make. Bigger than what do I do with my life and career. Bigger than do I join the military and go to Iraq. And bigger than who do I choose to marry.
I am being forced to choose between South Park, The Family Guy and The Simpsons as to which is the funniest cartoon ever made.
I am leaning towards The Family Guy, although I certainly would appreciate any advice or commentary you might have.
"Do we continue to give aid to Africa or do we cut them off completely, knowing full well there will be millions of deaths, but we'd be saving millions of more in the future as the population would dwindle to a point where the economic infrastructure would be able to support it."
Or;
"At what point is it not worth paying for the elderly's health care? Should we drop $100,000 just to keep an decrepit old man alive another 6 months, or should we just let him die?"
Or;
"How much is a person's life really worth in the case of a wrongful death lawsuit? How much should the plantiff be awarded for the loss of her child/husband?"
We are unfortunately put in the position of being forced to play God.
But recently I was put in the position to make a decision that I would have never imagined I would have to make. A decision that without a doubt will be the biggest one I ever have to make. Bigger than what do I do with my life and career. Bigger than do I join the military and go to Iraq. And bigger than who do I choose to marry.
I am being forced to choose between South Park, The Family Guy and The Simpsons as to which is the funniest cartoon ever made.
I am leaning towards The Family Guy, although I certainly would appreciate any advice or commentary you might have.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Let China Buy Us Out
An interesting article from The Economist. Unfortunately you need a subscription to read it, but the basic jist of it is that China should be allowed to buy the likes of Unocal, Maytag, etc., simply because they're willing to overpay. Parallels are then drawn between China's acquisitive actions and Japan's acquisition binge in the late 80's. Interesting in the light Unocal rejected China's bid.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Can You Guess the Pet Peeve?
OK, Superior Mortgage commerical comes on the air. And guess what those funny marketing geniuses come up with as a skit for a commercial?
A guy who calls the Federal Reserve asking for Alan Greenspan so he can ask Al to keep interest rates down so he can afford a mortgage.
So young apsiring junior deputy economists, what's economically wrong with this commercial?
I shall await your responses.
OK, update here. Per request I have decided to provide some sort of incentive. Thus the person to guess first why the Superior Mortgage commerical is rubbing me the wrong way will win...
$5 OF CAPTAIN CAPITALISM'S MONEY
AND
BE DEPUTIZED AS AN OFFICIAL "JUNIOR DEPUTY ECONOMIST!!!" (tin badge included!)
And who doesn't want that on their resume!?
A guy who calls the Federal Reserve asking for Alan Greenspan so he can ask Al to keep interest rates down so he can afford a mortgage.
So young apsiring junior deputy economists, what's economically wrong with this commercial?
I shall await your responses.
OK, update here. Per request I have decided to provide some sort of incentive. Thus the person to guess first why the Superior Mortgage commerical is rubbing me the wrong way will win...
$5 OF CAPTAIN CAPITALISM'S MONEY
AND
BE DEPUTIZED AS AN OFFICIAL "JUNIOR DEPUTY ECONOMIST!!!" (tin badge included!)
And who doesn't want that on their resume!?
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Those Falling Deficits, Outside my Window
The primary reason I became a capitalist is because it is reality. Every economic system that has been implemented otherwise has failed or failed to achieve similar standards of living for their people. Sure you have your Norway's and Luxembourg's (although different factors are afoot there), but by and large if you really care about society, you really care about your fellow man, you really care to eliminate poverty and increase standards of living for all, you will become the most ardent supporter of capitalism. End of story.
Thus, I like it when things like this happen. Empirical things that once again prove that capitalism and lowering taxes, and the very simple concept that if you allow people to have economic freedom they will produce more wealth than they would under economic tyranny or confiscation.
Seems that GW's tax cuts are starting to pay off. With 4 years of solid and higher than average-boom economic growth that the tax base has grown. It has grown so much that it's actually almost paying for all of GW's increased spending (WHICH IS A HECK OF A LOT and why I'm not terribly a big fan of Bush) not to mention the Iraq war/War on Terror. The deficit now sits at a roughly very low 2.5% of GDP while the left's darling children of Germany and France are seeing decifits in excess of 3% and climbing with NO economic growth.
No doubt the left will come up with some reason as to why there socialist economies look so sh!tty compared to the evil tyrannical capitalist fascist blah blah blah US economy.
Thus, I like it when things like this happen. Empirical things that once again prove that capitalism and lowering taxes, and the very simple concept that if you allow people to have economic freedom they will produce more wealth than they would under economic tyranny or confiscation.
Seems that GW's tax cuts are starting to pay off. With 4 years of solid and higher than average-boom economic growth that the tax base has grown. It has grown so much that it's actually almost paying for all of GW's increased spending (WHICH IS A HECK OF A LOT and why I'm not terribly a big fan of Bush) not to mention the Iraq war/War on Terror. The deficit now sits at a roughly very low 2.5% of GDP while the left's darling children of Germany and France are seeing decifits in excess of 3% and climbing with NO economic growth.
No doubt the left will come up with some reason as to why there socialist economies look so sh!tty compared to the evil tyrannical capitalist fascist blah blah blah US economy.
Monday, July 11, 2005
10 Year Olds Having Sex
Gee, I don't know why aid to Africa doesn't work or why the continent is such a sh$thole. This is just sick.
Here's the article.
Here's the study.
Remember, according to our leftist friends; "no culture is superior to one another, just different."
Thanks to Drudge for getting this, but the report was released in October of 2004.
Ugh.
Here's the article.
Here's the study.
Remember, according to our leftist friends; "no culture is superior to one another, just different."
Thanks to Drudge for getting this, but the report was released in October of 2004.
Ugh.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Men Getting Hosed on the Lakes
I used to run only about 3 miles every other day just as a bare-minimum maintenance sort of work out. Make sure I didn’t get fat, keep my heart in shape, that kind of thing. But then events had transpired that I needed to run, and I needed to run A LOT. Blood pressure had gone through the roof (160/110) resting heart rate wasn’t good either (90BPM) and sleep was just not coming. I needed something that would lower my blood pressure and heart rate, physically exhaust me so I’d sleep, and help me avoid that minor thing called pre-mature death.
Goodbye 3 miles when I feel like it, hello 6 miles 4-5 days a week.
Now, these events that transpired, transpired in late January to early February. So I figure 5 solid months of running, 4.33 weeks per month, that’s 21.65 weeks, 151.55 days, 4.5 out of 7 I was running, which means I ran a total of 97 days, at 6 miles per day translates into a grand total of 584.55 miles (and two inches off my waste I might smugly add!).
Now these 584.55 miles have been ran on a bevy of trails in the Twin Cities areas including parks, riverways, roads, DT Minneapolis, DT St. Paul, but the majority of them have been run around two main routes I like to take;
1. The West/East River Parkway. Gorgeous area that follows the west and east sides of the Mississippi river just downstream of Minneapolis down and back to the Minnehaha Falls area.
2. A combination of Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
These two areas are quite popular with runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, etc., and in those 584 miles I’ve seen a rather large and representative sample of the people that use them. But it wasn’t until just 1 hour ago when I finished my latest run around the lakes that a twingling in the back of my head, came full rush forward and transformed itself into an articulate thought;
The men are getting hosed on the lakes.
We are soooo getting hosed on the lakes.
And it’s not just the lakes, but the riverways, trails, and practically every other place you have runners, cyclists and rollerbladers. Especially during the summer.
And the reason we’re getting screwed is because in addition to the gorgeous scenery of the trees and rivers and waterfalls and lakes, women should also be a part of that scenery. Attractive sexy looking women enhancing that scenery for us. Be they young or old, a run around the lakes without pretty dames it like having cake without icing. Alas, the women that are out there are NOT enhancing the scenery.
Now you can go ahead and say that I am crude boar. A sexist pig who only views women as toys or objects for his disgusting selfish entertainment. And how dare I say such a mean thing.
Well, it’s very simple how I can say such a mean thing. It’s because it’s true. The women out there running for the past 5 months are NOT attractive at all. This last run I kept a tally, and there were no more than 3, count them, 1,2,3 attractive women that could be considered “in-shape” or “athletic” or “attractive.” And that’s with literally hundred of women out there.
Now, of course the criticism I lay forth is rather one-sided. I have not mentioned the men, but I didn’t say we were getting shafted for no reason. For the men on the other hand, are by and large in very good shape. Not that there weren’t any guys out there that should be required by law to put a shirt on, but for every attractive woman, there was literally about 17-18 good looking guys. Guys who had every right to run without a shirt on. Guys who you could tell worked out as well as ran. Guys who were providing ample scenery for the ladies.
No doubt the good looking girls must be somewhere, but on the lakes and parkways they’re not. Alas, this is perhaps why Minneapolis has one of the largest gay populations in the United States.
Goodbye 3 miles when I feel like it, hello 6 miles 4-5 days a week.
Now, these events that transpired, transpired in late January to early February. So I figure 5 solid months of running, 4.33 weeks per month, that’s 21.65 weeks, 151.55 days, 4.5 out of 7 I was running, which means I ran a total of 97 days, at 6 miles per day translates into a grand total of 584.55 miles (and two inches off my waste I might smugly add!).
Now these 584.55 miles have been ran on a bevy of trails in the Twin Cities areas including parks, riverways, roads, DT Minneapolis, DT St. Paul, but the majority of them have been run around two main routes I like to take;
1. The West/East River Parkway. Gorgeous area that follows the west and east sides of the Mississippi river just downstream of Minneapolis down and back to the Minnehaha Falls area.
2. A combination of Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
These two areas are quite popular with runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, etc., and in those 584 miles I’ve seen a rather large and representative sample of the people that use them. But it wasn’t until just 1 hour ago when I finished my latest run around the lakes that a twingling in the back of my head, came full rush forward and transformed itself into an articulate thought;
The men are getting hosed on the lakes.
We are soooo getting hosed on the lakes.
And it’s not just the lakes, but the riverways, trails, and practically every other place you have runners, cyclists and rollerbladers. Especially during the summer.
And the reason we’re getting screwed is because in addition to the gorgeous scenery of the trees and rivers and waterfalls and lakes, women should also be a part of that scenery. Attractive sexy looking women enhancing that scenery for us. Be they young or old, a run around the lakes without pretty dames it like having cake without icing. Alas, the women that are out there are NOT enhancing the scenery.
Now you can go ahead and say that I am crude boar. A sexist pig who only views women as toys or objects for his disgusting selfish entertainment. And how dare I say such a mean thing.
Well, it’s very simple how I can say such a mean thing. It’s because it’s true. The women out there running for the past 5 months are NOT attractive at all. This last run I kept a tally, and there were no more than 3, count them, 1,2,3 attractive women that could be considered “in-shape” or “athletic” or “attractive.” And that’s with literally hundred of women out there.
Now, of course the criticism I lay forth is rather one-sided. I have not mentioned the men, but I didn’t say we were getting shafted for no reason. For the men on the other hand, are by and large in very good shape. Not that there weren’t any guys out there that should be required by law to put a shirt on, but for every attractive woman, there was literally about 17-18 good looking guys. Guys who had every right to run without a shirt on. Guys who you could tell worked out as well as ran. Guys who were providing ample scenery for the ladies.
No doubt the good looking girls must be somewhere, but on the lakes and parkways they’re not. Alas, this is perhaps why Minneapolis has one of the largest gay populations in the United States.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Update on Aid Figures to Africa
So Rush Limbaugh quoted a source of over $600 billion in the past 43 years from the US ONLY!
Now, I know putting a number that Rush quotes will not win any faith from the left, but for those of us on the right who know better, that's a fair chunk o' change.
Now, I know putting a number that Rush quotes will not win any faith from the left, but for those of us on the right who know better, that's a fair chunk o' change.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Let's Bang Our Head Against the Wall Again
Short on time, but I just can't let this one go unaddressed.
Live 8 or Aid or whatever the hell it's called.
Ugh.
Idiots.
OK here people, let me explain it for you nice and easy so that even those of you with public school educations can understand.
Remember back when we were kids in the 80's and we all sent our money into Ethiopia? And then 5 cents would feed a kid for 12 weeks or something like that. Yeah, look at Ethiopia now! What success!
Africa has received over the past 30 years roughly $200 billion in aid. Adjust for inflation and you're looking at more around $350 billion - Marshall Plan levels of aid. And I'm willing to bet that figure is a little low.
Yet, despite this aid Africa is the only, ONLY continent where standards of living have actually gone down! The only other country in the world where this has happened is Venezuela where (surprise surprise) a socialist dictator, Hugo Chavez, has taken the reigns and driven living standards down despite high oil prices.
The problem isn't that money won't help, it will, but it's who's delivering the money. Thus far it's been the most incompetent entities the world has ever created; government, international organizations (UN), NGO's, and charities. Bastions of employment for those who are not only leftists, and not only people who majored in worthless subjects like peace studies, but incompetent oafs as well with no practical skills to speak of.
Don't believe me? Look at the latest member to this fine front to fight poverty in Africa; artists!
“I look at the news, I see people starving, I am crying, I’m a total mess”
Icelandic singer Björk
“We’ll jump if you jump and we’re all jumping on behalf of those who can’t even crawl”
Bob Geldof warns G8 leaders meeting in Scotland to take action against poverty
“For Aids in Afghanistan, is it?”
Marty Gradwell, from Ontario
BONO, LEAD SINGER OF U2 (London)
"The rock stars and the hip hop stars can't change anything, but our audience really can.
"We're not asking you to put your hand in your pockets, but we are asking people to put their fists in the air."
What insane insight to the inner workings of geopolitics and international economics! Certainly the University of Chicago should award all of these geniuses honorary doctorates in economics! With such geniuses playing music to alleviate poverty, how can it possibly fail?
No, sorry, the only entity thus far capable of delivering money to a country and having it make any significant progress towards eliminating poverty, raising standards of living and increasing the health and wealth of a nation is capitalism, namely foreign investment.
Don't believe me? Look at China and India. They've done more to raise their massive populations out of poverty by opening their borders up to investment from foreign companies than any government, charity, aid or debt forgiveness program ever would.
Of course, you don't want to believe this, because it's contrary to what you've been told this entire time. That, or perhaps to the average liberal, it's more important to feed their ego than to actually accomplish anything (which is why, by in large, most of your projects fail, but hey, even though Jamal is starving in Somalia, at least you feel good about it because you went to a concert!) But don't worry, you're a liberal, we understand. We're getting used to dealing with such ignorance and hypocrisy.
Live 8 or Aid or whatever the hell it's called.
Ugh.
Idiots.
OK here people, let me explain it for you nice and easy so that even those of you with public school educations can understand.
Remember back when we were kids in the 80's and we all sent our money into Ethiopia? And then 5 cents would feed a kid for 12 weeks or something like that. Yeah, look at Ethiopia now! What success!
Africa has received over the past 30 years roughly $200 billion in aid. Adjust for inflation and you're looking at more around $350 billion - Marshall Plan levels of aid. And I'm willing to bet that figure is a little low.
Yet, despite this aid Africa is the only, ONLY continent where standards of living have actually gone down! The only other country in the world where this has happened is Venezuela where (surprise surprise) a socialist dictator, Hugo Chavez, has taken the reigns and driven living standards down despite high oil prices.
The problem isn't that money won't help, it will, but it's who's delivering the money. Thus far it's been the most incompetent entities the world has ever created; government, international organizations (UN), NGO's, and charities. Bastions of employment for those who are not only leftists, and not only people who majored in worthless subjects like peace studies, but incompetent oafs as well with no practical skills to speak of.
Don't believe me? Look at the latest member to this fine front to fight poverty in Africa; artists!
“I look at the news, I see people starving, I am crying, I’m a total mess”
Icelandic singer Björk
“We’ll jump if you jump and we’re all jumping on behalf of those who can’t even crawl”
Bob Geldof warns G8 leaders meeting in Scotland to take action against poverty
“For Aids in Afghanistan, is it?”
Marty Gradwell, from Ontario
BONO, LEAD SINGER OF U2 (London)
"The rock stars and the hip hop stars can't change anything, but our audience really can.
"We're not asking you to put your hand in your pockets, but we are asking people to put their fists in the air."
What insane insight to the inner workings of geopolitics and international economics! Certainly the University of Chicago should award all of these geniuses honorary doctorates in economics! With such geniuses playing music to alleviate poverty, how can it possibly fail?
No, sorry, the only entity thus far capable of delivering money to a country and having it make any significant progress towards eliminating poverty, raising standards of living and increasing the health and wealth of a nation is capitalism, namely foreign investment.
Don't believe me? Look at China and India. They've done more to raise their massive populations out of poverty by opening their borders up to investment from foreign companies than any government, charity, aid or debt forgiveness program ever would.
Of course, you don't want to believe this, because it's contrary to what you've been told this entire time. That, or perhaps to the average liberal, it's more important to feed their ego than to actually accomplish anything (which is why, by in large, most of your projects fail, but hey, even though Jamal is starving in Somalia, at least you feel good about it because you went to a concert!) But don't worry, you're a liberal, we understand. We're getting used to dealing with such ignorance and hypocrisy.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
US Universal Health Care is a Reality
I live in a neighborhood of Minneapolis called Seward. During the elections in 2004 if you looked at an electoral map the entire area in the metro was red, except for this densely populated dot of communist haven, Seward. It is only because of the 40,000 or so public sector/academian oafs here that Bush did not carry Minnesota.
Thus my neighbor is the one with the "Willing to Pay for a Better Minnesota" signs in their yards. Not to mention "Bush is the Terrorist," "Bush Lied, How Many Died," and the seemingly never-falling-out-of-fashion "Kerry Edwards."
But there are a couple putzes in the hood that are unashamedly socialist and they're the ones with the "Universal Health Care Now!"
OK, once again here people, it looks like I'm going to have to take the baseball bat of Capitalism and beat you freaking senseless with it because I'm just so sick and tired of people's ignorance.
The US spends more per person on health care than any other nation in the world, and not marginally so, but quite literally double our European counterpart's average. This translate (logically) into the fact that we spend twice as much as our GDP on health care than our European counterparts.
Where my ire is raised and the rationale for a beating the Seward socialists with the baseball bat of Capitalism is warranted is that 45% of that spending is through government social programs. Be it Medicare or Medicaid or here in Minnesota the state health care program, MinnCare, we not only effectively spend the same amount of government money on health care (as our European friends) but, and are you ready for the real kicker?
WE EFFECTIVELY ALREADY HAVE FREAKING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!!!!
Cripes people! Where are the sick and the corpses laying about the streets? How many news stories do you need about single mothers getting free health care for their multiple-fathered children at some clinic, or how illegal immigrants are bankrupting California's hospitals? Last I checked the idiot teenage mothers and illegal immigrants weren't exactly thinking ahead saying, "gee, I better get some health care coverage before I get pregnant." And I don't think I can recall a story about illegals asking their coyote transporters where they can get some affordable health insurance once inside California.
Thus my neighbor is the one with the "Willing to Pay for a Better Minnesota" signs in their yards. Not to mention "Bush is the Terrorist," "Bush Lied, How Many Died," and the seemingly never-falling-out-of-fashion "Kerry Edwards."
But there are a couple putzes in the hood that are unashamedly socialist and they're the ones with the "Universal Health Care Now!"
OK, once again here people, it looks like I'm going to have to take the baseball bat of Capitalism and beat you freaking senseless with it because I'm just so sick and tired of people's ignorance.
The US spends more per person on health care than any other nation in the world, and not marginally so, but quite literally double our European counterpart's average. This translate (logically) into the fact that we spend twice as much as our GDP on health care than our European counterparts.
Where my ire is raised and the rationale for a beating the Seward socialists with the baseball bat of Capitalism is warranted is that 45% of that spending is through government social programs. Be it Medicare or Medicaid or here in Minnesota the state health care program, MinnCare, we not only effectively spend the same amount of government money on health care (as our European friends) but, and are you ready for the real kicker?
WE EFFECTIVELY ALREADY HAVE FREAKING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!!!!
Cripes people! Where are the sick and the corpses laying about the streets? How many news stories do you need about single mothers getting free health care for their multiple-fathered children at some clinic, or how illegal immigrants are bankrupting California's hospitals? Last I checked the idiot teenage mothers and illegal immigrants weren't exactly thinking ahead saying, "gee, I better get some health care coverage before I get pregnant." And I don't think I can recall a story about illegals asking their coyote transporters where they can get some affordable health insurance once inside California.
Marginal Costs of Time
I get a temporary radio gig where I get to sub for a reasonably well known radio host.
Of course, never being on radio before, I have to dedicate significant resources to ensure the topics are good, engaging and fresh. This wipes out any free time I had two weeks ago and thus keeps me from my blog.
Then comes my annual vacation to South Dakota which involves an eclectic mix of hiking, fishing, fossil hunting and hitting on an insanely cute park ranger. The preparation, researching of fossil sites, not to mention a 26 mile hike straight through the gorgeous backcountry of Badlands National Park, all of which wiped out any free time I had last week.
Which brings me to today, 48 hours after my return and three Bengay bottles later, and I'm just catching up with all I had left behind. Sadly though the marginal utility I receive from expending one additional unit of time on my blog is not enough to compensate me for other things (paying the mortgage, paying the bills) and thus I have to delay any serious posting of economic wit. However, (while waiting to get some research back from the University of Minnesota) I will be making a post that will prove worthwhile and certainly raise the ire of women.
Of course, never being on radio before, I have to dedicate significant resources to ensure the topics are good, engaging and fresh. This wipes out any free time I had two weeks ago and thus keeps me from my blog.
Then comes my annual vacation to South Dakota which involves an eclectic mix of hiking, fishing, fossil hunting and hitting on an insanely cute park ranger. The preparation, researching of fossil sites, not to mention a 26 mile hike straight through the gorgeous backcountry of Badlands National Park, all of which wiped out any free time I had last week.
Which brings me to today, 48 hours after my return and three Bengay bottles later, and I'm just catching up with all I had left behind. Sadly though the marginal utility I receive from expending one additional unit of time on my blog is not enough to compensate me for other things (paying the mortgage, paying the bills) and thus I have to delay any serious posting of economic wit. However, (while waiting to get some research back from the University of Minnesota) I will be making a post that will prove worthwhile and certainly raise the ire of women.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
For AM 1500 Listeners
Fellow readers and AM 1500 listeners,
Thanks for tuning into the show. Here are the charts that accomodate the topics covered on the show. I hope they supplement your understanding and make sense of what I was blathering about on the air!
Best of luck!
The S&P 500 PE ratio is below
Thanks for tuning into the show. Here are the charts that accomodate the topics covered on the show. I hope they supplement your understanding and make sense of what I was blathering about on the air!
Best of luck!
The S&P 500 PE ratio is below
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Monday, June 13, 2005
Your Friendly Neighborhood Chinaman
A short post again as I am short on time. But here’s the twelve month trailing average trade deficit between the US and China.
Now, call me crazy, but something tells me that this deficit exists because the Chinese produce stuff we want and we don’t produce stuff the Chinese want. I mean, what American doesn’t want cheap clothing, electronic gadgets and consumer electronics. But tell me how many Chinese demand “grief counseling” or self-help books or the services of sociology majors and other such products that the US is seemingly only capable of producing?
Now, call me crazy, but something tells me that this deficit exists because the Chinese produce stuff we want and we don’t produce stuff the Chinese want. I mean, what American doesn’t want cheap clothing, electronic gadgets and consumer electronics. But tell me how many Chinese demand “grief counseling” or self-help books or the services of sociology majors and other such products that the US is seemingly only capable of producing?
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Tapping Collective Intelligence
OK, 3 days until the big broadcast. Have composed a wide array of topics which I will whittle through and think about later tonight whilst I drink and eat at my favorite local eatery and drinkery.
Having said that and being confident that the topics will be entertaining, I'm wise enough to appreciate the power of the market and recall the most successful local talk show host here say, "I don't get to talk about what I want, I talk about what they want."
So help me out and submit any topics you'd think would do well, I would most certainly appreciate it.
Having said that and being confident that the topics will be entertaining, I'm wise enough to appreciate the power of the market and recall the most successful local talk show host here say, "I don't get to talk about what I want, I talk about what they want."
So help me out and submit any topics you'd think would do well, I would most certainly appreciate it.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Hosting a Talk Show!
Fellow readers, great news;
A while ago I entered a contest at the local talk radio station called "The Next Big Thing," a radio version of reality TV where they profile rookie talent in search for somebody who may become "the next big thing."
Well two months after I did my stint they called back asking if I'd sub for their regular 8-10PM host, Chris Krok on his show "Krok Talk."
Needless to say I am very happy, however, after receiving this opportunity immediately returning from San Francisco necessitating preparation for the show, I've had no time to dedicate to my blog, which begets further apologies.
HOWEVER, the good news is that you can listen in and hopefully I can make up for the neglecting of my blog and you can get an uber economics fix by listening in.
For those locally in the Twin Cities area, you know the station. For those of you not so local (for some reason there sure are A LOT of Canadians that read my blog for some reason), I think you can listen online via their website www.am1500.com Furthermore, there is a 1-800 number you can call if you're out of state if you so desired to participate in the discussion. I'll be broadcasting Minnesota Time (central standard???) from 8-10PM June 15th-17th. So be sure to tune in.
And maybe, someday, they'll have my face on their billboard on I-94 and Hwy 280, and then that economist babe will see it and rue the day that she shot me down saying, "oh, why didn't I go out with him when I had the chance. Sigh!" Oh yeah, it's fated to happen!
A while ago I entered a contest at the local talk radio station called "The Next Big Thing," a radio version of reality TV where they profile rookie talent in search for somebody who may become "the next big thing."
Well two months after I did my stint they called back asking if I'd sub for their regular 8-10PM host, Chris Krok on his show "Krok Talk."
Needless to say I am very happy, however, after receiving this opportunity immediately returning from San Francisco necessitating preparation for the show, I've had no time to dedicate to my blog, which begets further apologies.
HOWEVER, the good news is that you can listen in and hopefully I can make up for the neglecting of my blog and you can get an uber economics fix by listening in.
For those locally in the Twin Cities area, you know the station. For those of you not so local (for some reason there sure are A LOT of Canadians that read my blog for some reason), I think you can listen online via their website www.am1500.com Furthermore, there is a 1-800 number you can call if you're out of state if you so desired to participate in the discussion. I'll be broadcasting Minnesota Time (central standard???) from 8-10PM June 15th-17th. So be sure to tune in.
And maybe, someday, they'll have my face on their billboard on I-94 and Hwy 280, and then that economist babe will see it and rue the day that she shot me down saying, "oh, why didn't I go out with him when I had the chance. Sigh!" Oh yeah, it's fated to happen!
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Gorgeous George Stikes Again
I had always suspected that the world's two greatest evils (Islamic terrorism/fascism and communism) would join forces, despite historical differences, to form a united assault against the world's greatest good (capitalism). And it seems British PM, George Calloway, who was heralded by the American media when he blasted Norm Coleman about his investigation into the UN, is the missing link and proof of the two combining forces;
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=16140_The_21st_Century_Lord_Haw_Haw&only
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=16140_The_21st_Century_Lord_Haw_Haw&only
Monday, June 06, 2005
The Times When Republicans Were
It was on my flight out to scenic San Francisco that I had the time to catch up on the three neglected issues of my favorite periodical. And whilst reading the back issues I happened upon this hilarious picture which reminded me why I’m no big fan of George Bush.
For if George Bush was a true Republican, then he’d be more fiscally conservative. Alas he is not. For aside from the war (which I’m for) he’s still managed to blow wads of taxpayer’s money on frivolous social programs/causes, including the $50 billion education bill, another $15 billion for fighting AIDS in Africa, and let’s not forget that minor little $800 billion (AND RISING) boondoggle on Medicare (yes, all frivolous, don’t get into it with me).
All of this (and more) has increased government spending as a percent of our economy from 18% to 19.5% (as of 2003). This may not seem like a lot, but keep in mind this is while the economy was growing by leaps and bounds. i.e.-government spending under GW has increased faster than the economy has been growing. The result? GW has only been outspent by LBJ and his idiot-mollifying, vote-bribing policy called “The Great Society.”
Joy.
But this behooves the question that has been plaguing me for some time; “why does the left hate GW so much, and herald Bill Clinton as their god, when the opposite should be true?”
Alas, perhaps I am foolish in assuming democrats do as they “should” or adhere to some sort of logic…alas, perhaps I may also be foolish in thinking that people in general look at these charts.
For if George Bush was a true Republican, then he’d be more fiscally conservative. Alas he is not. For aside from the war (which I’m for) he’s still managed to blow wads of taxpayer’s money on frivolous social programs/causes, including the $50 billion education bill, another $15 billion for fighting AIDS in Africa, and let’s not forget that minor little $800 billion (AND RISING) boondoggle on Medicare (yes, all frivolous, don’t get into it with me).
All of this (and more) has increased government spending as a percent of our economy from 18% to 19.5% (as of 2003). This may not seem like a lot, but keep in mind this is while the economy was growing by leaps and bounds. i.e.-government spending under GW has increased faster than the economy has been growing. The result? GW has only been outspent by LBJ and his idiot-mollifying, vote-bribing policy called “The Great Society.”
Joy.
But this behooves the question that has been plaguing me for some time; “why does the left hate GW so much, and herald Bill Clinton as their god, when the opposite should be true?”
Alas, perhaps I am foolish in assuming democrats do as they “should” or adhere to some sort of logic…alas, perhaps I may also be foolish in thinking that people in general look at these charts.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
I Left Nothing in San Francisco
Somebody might have left their heart in San Francisco, but I even had reservations about going to the bathroom in San Francisco and thus leaving anything there.
Outside a trip to Yosemite National Park and visiting some obscure relatives in the hinterland of California, the majority of my trip was spent with my sister and her new boyfriend in scenic San Francisco. The highlight of the trip was a visit to one of the 5 remaining Federal Reserve Banks I had yet to visit and a salsa club on the south side of town where the skill level and friendliness level of the local ladies outranked the ladies of Minneapolis.
Regardless, I am back and after catching up on e-mails and work, will start to give you your semi-weekly/daily/random fix of economics.
Outside a trip to Yosemite National Park and visiting some obscure relatives in the hinterland of California, the majority of my trip was spent with my sister and her new boyfriend in scenic San Francisco. The highlight of the trip was a visit to one of the 5 remaining Federal Reserve Banks I had yet to visit and a salsa club on the south side of town where the skill level and friendliness level of the local ladies outranked the ladies of Minneapolis.
Regardless, I am back and after catching up on e-mails and work, will start to give you your semi-weekly/daily/random fix of economics.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
College Campuses? Cripes.
I ranted once about how Academia (among other non-profit institutions) attracted the left because unlike the real world (AKA, the "private sector") you didn't have to produce anything of worth, nor compete, nor have any real skills. Actually, it's probably best you don't because it seems as far as I can tell, Academia's primary purpose is not to educate, but employ those who would otherwise be unemployable.
Thus, when I saw this on Market Power (hail another economist!), I had to post it here as well.
http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/04RESOURCES/Flynn-BlueCampuses.htm
Thus, when I saw this on Market Power (hail another economist!), I had to post it here as well.
http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/04RESOURCES/Flynn-BlueCampuses.htm
Coase Colored Glasse
Ye, another link for thee to digest. But this is no ordinary regular economist link to digest, but an environmental economics link to digest.
Understand I was never a big fan of environmental economics. I always thought trying to value things like "scenery" and "pollution" was similar to trying to program a model that predicts the minds of women; rather impossible. But hey, that's why we economists insist on using all the letters in the Greek alphabet when developing our formulas. They may be worthless, but, hey, they're pretty and sure impress the heck out of actuaries!
So freshen up on the positive and negative externalities of blogging and pay a visit to Coase Colored Glasses.
Understand I was never a big fan of environmental economics. I always thought trying to value things like "scenery" and "pollution" was similar to trying to program a model that predicts the minds of women; rather impossible. But hey, that's why we economists insist on using all the letters in the Greek alphabet when developing our formulas. They may be worthless, but, hey, they're pretty and sure impress the heck out of actuaries!
So freshen up on the positive and negative externalities of blogging and pay a visit to Coase Colored Glasses.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Of Producers and Parasites
I found this chart reading an article about the flat tax, and while it's original purpose was to demonstrate that even under a flat tax New Zealand's rich would still be paying the lion's share of the taxes, I noticed that the poor got one heck of a deal (either way) in that they contributed nowhere near the amount of resources they consumed.
Would be curious if anybody has/knows of similar data for the US or other OECD countries.
Would be curious if anybody has/knows of similar data for the US or other OECD countries.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
505025
Every spring and fall a local WWII historical society hosts a hangar dance as a fund raiser. They deck out an old hangar with WWII memorabilia, bring some old WWII planes like the B-25 and P-51 out on the tarmac, and encourage people to show up in vintage attire. Fortunately for me I have an old Army Air Corps uniform and when donned with my bomber jacket I look the part rather well. Add to all of this about 700 people, the majority of which are in uniform and era clothing, and an 18 piece big band, and you have what I deem to be the closest re-enactment we can achieve today of what was the pinnacle of American culture for a glorious, but all too brief four hours.
But I take what brief American-glory-day hours I can get, and this past weekend presented such an opportunity, for there was such a hangar dance at scenic Fleming Field.
I arrived with a cadre of friends and about 20 students as I also teach dance on the side and host field trips to such events. And since most of my friends are just friends, and most of my students are middle aged married folk, I opted to mingle my way into the crowd to see if I could find myself a cute girl or twenty to dance with.
Bethel College, a local uber-religious college where they ban sex, kissing, holding hands and just plain looking at the opposite sex, oddly enough sent no less than 50 female representatives in sort of a "false advertising" sort of way. Of course I didn't know they had such representation until I danced with enough of them to know where they were sitting, who they were talking to, and just how numerous they were. But once ID'd, I knew who not to ask to dance as it would be futile.
This still left of bevy of immaculately dressed women, one of which in particular caught my eye; a 20-something platinum blond with a 1940's turquoise dress gift-wrapping an amazing figure. And knowing that in about an hour they would have all the men in uniform parade around the hangar, and knowing I had not brought a date, I would have to secure myself a girl in vintage attire to be on my arm for this parade. Thus, it was time to turn on the ol' Captain Capitalism charm.
I spent the next hour dancing the plurality of dances with this girl. Putting on some of the more flashy, yet easy to follow moves, thereby impressing her and at the same time making her think somehow she was a great dancer. I'd make some witty commentary about how she looked like Ingird Bergman, and then quote Casablanca. And as it was somewhat of a chilly evening, I employed a rather cunning tactic; when dancing on the tarmac I would have her wear my bomber jacket to keep her warm.
Oh yeah, I was in.
And I was, for when they announced the parade was about to start, she agreed to be on my arm for the parade.
So there we were. Me in my smart uniform, looking as if I had just got off the Memphis Belle. Her, with her nice blue eyes accompanying her turquoise dress, blushing a bit as she was a little embarrassed. All in the shadow of a B-25 bomber and an 18 piece big band playing away. It couldn't have gotten any better.
Which means it only could have gotten worse.
For while we were parading around the hangar and people were cheering us on, we approached a group of Bethel girls that I had recognized from the earlier that evening. They were looking at me and cheering me on giving me the thumbs up. But as I got closer I realized I misread their line of vision by a few arcseconds, for they weren't looking at me and giving me the thumbs up, they were looking at the girl on my arm. And sure enough as we passed, "Wooo! Way to go Jessica!"
Great, I had a Bethel girl on my arm.
"So, you go to Bethel?" I asked.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Oh, just a guess....so hold old are you?"
"I'm 19."
Great, I was dancing with a child this entire time. And a religious nut on top of it.
Now, there is an element of strategy to these hangar dances. For unlike most other dances, the hangar dance attracts people that I deem to be morally similar to myself. In other words, in the past when I have gone out on dates with the girls I've met at the hangar dance, they tend to be of a bit higher quality and caliber. Furthermore, since the hangar dance is held only twice a year, it is somewhat urgent and important that you play your cards right and spend your time wisely. I just blew 2.5 hours on a 4 hour dance that would not be repeating itself for another 6 months.
Grand.
So I did what any other normal red-blooded American male would do, I got myself a beer. The bar was inconveniently placed in a high traffic area, near the band and the dance floor. And immediately after I had finished my drink and turned around, I almost bumped into the most attractive girl in the entire dance.
I hadn't mentioned this girl before, for even though I noticed her very early on in the dance, up until that point in the dance, she was irrelevant. She was WAAAAY TOO ATTRACTIVE to mention. And even though she was one of the very first things I saw, she was soooooo attractive that I wrote her off like a brand new computer under section 179 because she was out of my league.
And now she was right infront of me.
Now, normally I don't bother with chicks out of my league. Which then prompts the typical discussion, "well, some of these girls are so good looking that they intimidate most guys and are actually rarely approached." None of which entered into my mind, because I was busy blurting out, "hey, wanna dance?"
"Yes."
So there I am dancing with the girl who is hands down the most attractive, drop dead gorgeous woman in the entire joint. (Mind you, this isn't my opinion. She just literally was that good looking!) And as I made my way through the dance, spinning her and so forth, I got to appreciate the amount of care and attention she put into her outfit. It was a stunning black ruffled, knee-length vintage dress that she accented with a cropping hat, black fishnets and cute 1940's heels. She had her hair done up in a tight style which displayed her face perfectly. Rarely am I intimidated, but she was so impressive that I was actually a little off in my dancing.
I thanked her for the dance, still under the impression I was not in her league and the dance was charity, but as the night went on, I noticed she was standing by herself, on the edge of the dance floor more often than not. And whilst enroute to the bathroom, something made me change my path and I asked her to dance again. This time smiles were exchanged, banter was engaged in, and another dance promised. This led to more dances which led to more conversation which led to more smiles, and soon flirting (which Bethel College also bans).
By the end of the night I had danced with this girl more than anybody else. And after we had finished our 6th dance, I asked her, "Hey, you going to dance next week by the same band?"
She said, "I don't know, I just heard about it tonight."
"Well, I know a guy who might be interested in taking you."
"Really? I might know a girl who might be interested."
"Really, well, how about I give you my number and you can give it to the girl. And you give me your number and I'll give it to the guy. And then maybe we can go on a double date."
"Maybe."
"And then in the unlikely event that they stand us up, perhaps we can go to the dance together, you know, as back up."
And with a little smirk and a sexy squint she said, "Maybe."
And so I sashayed to the bar to jot down my number, returned for one final dance, gave her my number and said, "it was a pleasure." She reached out and touched my arm and said, "likewise." I headed home and fell asleep.
Now what does all of this have to do with 505025?
505025 is a theory I concocted back in my college days, that most of my male friends appreciate and deem one of my better theories. And it basically states;
"50% No x's 50% Show = 25% Go."
And it was the theory running through my head while I drove back to my humble abode that night, for during college my friends and I noticed that while a fair amount of girls would say yes to a date, a disturbingly high percentage of them would cancel or stand you up. Thus, on the onset, there is a 50% chance the girl will say no. But even if she says "yes" that doesn't mean she's actually going to show. i.e.- there is only a 50% chance of her showing up on the date, and thus an overall initial chance of a 25% chance of actually going on a date.
Now, empirically, the theory is more something like "30% No x's 25% Show = 17.5% Go" as sadly the majority of girls would say yes, but unfortunately, the majority of them would bail before the date (thereby unnecessarily raising your hopes, and crushing them later). And while I'd like to think that the banter, conversation, interaction and flirting I had with this knock out 40's babe was unique and special, sadly I had been in the position before where I was just as supremely confident and the random fates of chaos dealt me a different hand. Of course, I also subscribe to Oddball's theory from Kelley's Heroes, which advocates positive waves, but the economist in me really has a hankering for empirical and historical data.
Regardless, what does this tell us about economics? Nothing, directly anyway. But I guarantee you there is a lesson in economics to be learned here. For while it may not be obvious now, it will become very apparent in a future post.
But for those of you who insist on getting your daily economic fix, here's an interesting chart continuing with the theme and hailing back from the days of WWII.
But I take what brief American-glory-day hours I can get, and this past weekend presented such an opportunity, for there was such a hangar dance at scenic Fleming Field.
I arrived with a cadre of friends and about 20 students as I also teach dance on the side and host field trips to such events. And since most of my friends are just friends, and most of my students are middle aged married folk, I opted to mingle my way into the crowd to see if I could find myself a cute girl or twenty to dance with.
Bethel College, a local uber-religious college where they ban sex, kissing, holding hands and just plain looking at the opposite sex, oddly enough sent no less than 50 female representatives in sort of a "false advertising" sort of way. Of course I didn't know they had such representation until I danced with enough of them to know where they were sitting, who they were talking to, and just how numerous they were. But once ID'd, I knew who not to ask to dance as it would be futile.
This still left of bevy of immaculately dressed women, one of which in particular caught my eye; a 20-something platinum blond with a 1940's turquoise dress gift-wrapping an amazing figure. And knowing that in about an hour they would have all the men in uniform parade around the hangar, and knowing I had not brought a date, I would have to secure myself a girl in vintage attire to be on my arm for this parade. Thus, it was time to turn on the ol' Captain Capitalism charm.
I spent the next hour dancing the plurality of dances with this girl. Putting on some of the more flashy, yet easy to follow moves, thereby impressing her and at the same time making her think somehow she was a great dancer. I'd make some witty commentary about how she looked like Ingird Bergman, and then quote Casablanca. And as it was somewhat of a chilly evening, I employed a rather cunning tactic; when dancing on the tarmac I would have her wear my bomber jacket to keep her warm.
Oh yeah, I was in.
And I was, for when they announced the parade was about to start, she agreed to be on my arm for the parade.
So there we were. Me in my smart uniform, looking as if I had just got off the Memphis Belle. Her, with her nice blue eyes accompanying her turquoise dress, blushing a bit as she was a little embarrassed. All in the shadow of a B-25 bomber and an 18 piece big band playing away. It couldn't have gotten any better.
Which means it only could have gotten worse.
For while we were parading around the hangar and people were cheering us on, we approached a group of Bethel girls that I had recognized from the earlier that evening. They were looking at me and cheering me on giving me the thumbs up. But as I got closer I realized I misread their line of vision by a few arcseconds, for they weren't looking at me and giving me the thumbs up, they were looking at the girl on my arm. And sure enough as we passed, "Wooo! Way to go Jessica!"
Great, I had a Bethel girl on my arm.
"So, you go to Bethel?" I asked.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Oh, just a guess....so hold old are you?"
"I'm 19."
Great, I was dancing with a child this entire time. And a religious nut on top of it.
Now, there is an element of strategy to these hangar dances. For unlike most other dances, the hangar dance attracts people that I deem to be morally similar to myself. In other words, in the past when I have gone out on dates with the girls I've met at the hangar dance, they tend to be of a bit higher quality and caliber. Furthermore, since the hangar dance is held only twice a year, it is somewhat urgent and important that you play your cards right and spend your time wisely. I just blew 2.5 hours on a 4 hour dance that would not be repeating itself for another 6 months.
Grand.
So I did what any other normal red-blooded American male would do, I got myself a beer. The bar was inconveniently placed in a high traffic area, near the band and the dance floor. And immediately after I had finished my drink and turned around, I almost bumped into the most attractive girl in the entire dance.
I hadn't mentioned this girl before, for even though I noticed her very early on in the dance, up until that point in the dance, she was irrelevant. She was WAAAAY TOO ATTRACTIVE to mention. And even though she was one of the very first things I saw, she was soooooo attractive that I wrote her off like a brand new computer under section 179 because she was out of my league.
And now she was right infront of me.
Now, normally I don't bother with chicks out of my league. Which then prompts the typical discussion, "well, some of these girls are so good looking that they intimidate most guys and are actually rarely approached." None of which entered into my mind, because I was busy blurting out, "hey, wanna dance?"
"Yes."
So there I am dancing with the girl who is hands down the most attractive, drop dead gorgeous woman in the entire joint. (Mind you, this isn't my opinion. She just literally was that good looking!) And as I made my way through the dance, spinning her and so forth, I got to appreciate the amount of care and attention she put into her outfit. It was a stunning black ruffled, knee-length vintage dress that she accented with a cropping hat, black fishnets and cute 1940's heels. She had her hair done up in a tight style which displayed her face perfectly. Rarely am I intimidated, but she was so impressive that I was actually a little off in my dancing.
I thanked her for the dance, still under the impression I was not in her league and the dance was charity, but as the night went on, I noticed she was standing by herself, on the edge of the dance floor more often than not. And whilst enroute to the bathroom, something made me change my path and I asked her to dance again. This time smiles were exchanged, banter was engaged in, and another dance promised. This led to more dances which led to more conversation which led to more smiles, and soon flirting (which Bethel College also bans).
By the end of the night I had danced with this girl more than anybody else. And after we had finished our 6th dance, I asked her, "Hey, you going to dance next week by the same band?"
She said, "I don't know, I just heard about it tonight."
"Well, I know a guy who might be interested in taking you."
"Really? I might know a girl who might be interested."
"Really, well, how about I give you my number and you can give it to the girl. And you give me your number and I'll give it to the guy. And then maybe we can go on a double date."
"Maybe."
"And then in the unlikely event that they stand us up, perhaps we can go to the dance together, you know, as back up."
And with a little smirk and a sexy squint she said, "Maybe."
And so I sashayed to the bar to jot down my number, returned for one final dance, gave her my number and said, "it was a pleasure." She reached out and touched my arm and said, "likewise." I headed home and fell asleep.
Now what does all of this have to do with 505025?
505025 is a theory I concocted back in my college days, that most of my male friends appreciate and deem one of my better theories. And it basically states;
"50% No x's 50% Show = 25% Go."
And it was the theory running through my head while I drove back to my humble abode that night, for during college my friends and I noticed that while a fair amount of girls would say yes to a date, a disturbingly high percentage of them would cancel or stand you up. Thus, on the onset, there is a 50% chance the girl will say no. But even if she says "yes" that doesn't mean she's actually going to show. i.e.- there is only a 50% chance of her showing up on the date, and thus an overall initial chance of a 25% chance of actually going on a date.
Now, empirically, the theory is more something like "30% No x's 25% Show = 17.5% Go" as sadly the majority of girls would say yes, but unfortunately, the majority of them would bail before the date (thereby unnecessarily raising your hopes, and crushing them later). And while I'd like to think that the banter, conversation, interaction and flirting I had with this knock out 40's babe was unique and special, sadly I had been in the position before where I was just as supremely confident and the random fates of chaos dealt me a different hand. Of course, I also subscribe to Oddball's theory from Kelley's Heroes, which advocates positive waves, but the economist in me really has a hankering for empirical and historical data.
Regardless, what does this tell us about economics? Nothing, directly anyway. But I guarantee you there is a lesson in economics to be learned here. For while it may not be obvious now, it will become very apparent in a future post.
But for those of you who insist on getting your daily economic fix, here's an interesting chart continuing with the theme and hailing back from the days of WWII.
Things that Make You Say "Hmmmm...."
Just found this interesting. Like when Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Carribean" found out there was a curse he said, "So there is a curse. That's interesting."
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Old Versus New Europe, Taxes and Growth
To dull the relentless assault of pain and agony that we call “life” I employ a wide sort of medicines and remedies. Sometimes I submerse myself in work, making sure the finances are all secure and that future sources of revenue are certain. More recently since February I have worked out, running and lifting weights to kill the time during slow season (and may I say with a little pride, added to my peck-age and bicep-age). And then there is always video games; ahhhh yes, video games, where you can go to a foreign, make-believe world and fool yourself into thinking that somehow you’re actually doing something for society like killing Nazi’s or shooting aliens. But last night I opted for booze, which I have laid off recently, and made up for last night.
The problem is when I drink I typically do it at a bar. And when at the bar I usually bring some work to do or something to read. Of course work and reading do not mix well with booze, so it has been on more than one occasion that I had a poor recollection of the articles I’ve read and had to double check my work from the night before.
But drunk as I was, even a liberal high on pot, heroin, Windex, and a Krugman article combined would have been able to draw the connection between two charts I saw.
And since this post has been made on a Thursday morning, I’m going to assume most of you are at work and reasonably sober, and therefore can make the connection yourself.
The problem is when I drink I typically do it at a bar. And when at the bar I usually bring some work to do or something to read. Of course work and reading do not mix well with booze, so it has been on more than one occasion that I had a poor recollection of the articles I’ve read and had to double check my work from the night before.
But drunk as I was, even a liberal high on pot, heroin, Windex, and a Krugman article combined would have been able to draw the connection between two charts I saw.
And since this post has been made on a Thursday morning, I’m going to assume most of you are at work and reasonably sober, and therefore can make the connection yourself.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
HAR!!!
I'm not a big supporter of Bush, but this is a good guffaw.
http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php?iid=10347
http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php?iid=10347
Sunday, May 08, 2005
When One Follows the Advice of Women
After much beratement and criticism (from no less than 2,200 readers! – Many, many sincere thanks for all the press JMPP and Marginalrevolution!) as to how I fumbled the ball with this economist babe by not asking for her number, I took it upon myself to remedy the situation and implement some of the advice and strategies different people suggested and see if they worked. And I figured whose advice better to follow than the experts on courtship, dating and romance; women.
The most common criticism I received from women centered around one general theme;
That I did not show initiative/aggression/courage, thereby failing to prove to her I was a skilled hunter and courageous defender, capable of providing for her and our would be children and defending them from the roving bands of wild rabid mammoth that frequently roam the Minnesota plains here.
Thus I formulated a cunning plan.
My cunning plan was this;
1. Take initiative and look up the offices of where she said she worked.
2. Be aggressive and courageous and buy her a simple single flower with a polite note attached asking if she was ever going to take me up on the offer of dancing and dining (and that my poor economist heart was broken, sniff sniff)
3. Show that I had interest by dropping it off at the front desk of her workplace enroute to my favorite lake for my daily run.
By logical reasoning, this would no doubt display that I was aggressive, courageous, had interest and much initiative. And how could it possibly fail? For this plan was designed to do exactly what all the women here have been advocating me to do.
Which reminded me of a theory I concocted back in my college days;
“When you devise a plan and are so confident in it that you ask yourself the question, how can it possibly fail?…you will soon find out.”
Key to this plan was to just drop off the flower with the receptionist in a clandestine operation sort of way and get out of there, ensuring that I would not be seen as the stalker type. This would allow her to throw the flower away and not have to respond unless she really wanted to.
And since I was enroute to a run and had no intention of meeting her I was dressed in my running gear; cut off sweat pants, my Boston Red Sox hat and a Mr. Bubble T-shirt I got from sending in the $4.95 with proof of purchase of Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath. Damn did I look sexy.
So I park the car, feed the meter, run to the skyscraper, hit the elevators, go to the correct floor, follow the signs to the suite number, and noticed it’s not that big of an office. Just a simple door with a buzzer. So I clicked the buzzer, waited and who do you suppose answers the door.
Oh joy. It’s the economist babe.
So much for the covertness of this clandestine operation.
Trying to put on my best smile given I was wearing my fetching Mr. Bubble-T-Shirt, I gave her the flower and the note and said, “hi!”
Her face was pure panic. I could have just as well handed her an ebola-infested live tarantula.
Obviously scared, she said, “how did you know where I worked?”
Realizing that she now viewed me as your friendly neighborhood stalker-man, I tried to calm her down by reminding her that, “You told me you worked here.”
Realizing my cunning plan was an utter failure and that she was actually scared by my appearance, I wanted to get hell out of there fast as possible so as not to worry her anymore. Maintaining my smile I said, “well I gotta go. Hope you like the flower,” did an about face, bouncily jogged to the elevator and made way to my favorite lake for my daily run.
Now I enjoy my daily run for it’s just over 6 miles long and it gives me a fair amount of time to ponder and reflect about life’s daily occurrences. And during this particular daily run, I drew several important lessons from this whole ordeal that I think all men should heed and follow;
1. It is infinitely better to be viewed as an unaggressive, unmotivated man who has not the courage to ask you for your number than to be viewed as a stalker. i.e.- Ball in Court Theory is a great theory!
2. Today it is no longer socially acceptable to give a girl flowers unless you know her, otherwise you run the risk of being misperceived as a stalker, see lesson 1. Ergo, no more flowers for the ladies (Besides they cost $2.95, that’s like almost a shot of whiskey!)
3. Women do not appreciate the Mr. Bubble line of designer T-Shirts.
4. Appreciate Adam Smith’s theory of specialization and stick with what you’re good at.
5. Baghdad Bob’s intelligence on Iraqi and US troop movements during the invasion is supremely superior to women’s intelligence on themselves. i.e.- Don’t listen to women’s advice about women.
Alas, it seems to me I shall stick with my time-tested, well-devised and energy-saving strategy of letting them come to me.
The most common criticism I received from women centered around one general theme;
That I did not show initiative/aggression/courage, thereby failing to prove to her I was a skilled hunter and courageous defender, capable of providing for her and our would be children and defending them from the roving bands of wild rabid mammoth that frequently roam the Minnesota plains here.
Thus I formulated a cunning plan.
My cunning plan was this;
1. Take initiative and look up the offices of where she said she worked.
2. Be aggressive and courageous and buy her a simple single flower with a polite note attached asking if she was ever going to take me up on the offer of dancing and dining (and that my poor economist heart was broken, sniff sniff)
3. Show that I had interest by dropping it off at the front desk of her workplace enroute to my favorite lake for my daily run.
By logical reasoning, this would no doubt display that I was aggressive, courageous, had interest and much initiative. And how could it possibly fail? For this plan was designed to do exactly what all the women here have been advocating me to do.
Which reminded me of a theory I concocted back in my college days;
“When you devise a plan and are so confident in it that you ask yourself the question, how can it possibly fail?…you will soon find out.”
Key to this plan was to just drop off the flower with the receptionist in a clandestine operation sort of way and get out of there, ensuring that I would not be seen as the stalker type. This would allow her to throw the flower away and not have to respond unless she really wanted to.
And since I was enroute to a run and had no intention of meeting her I was dressed in my running gear; cut off sweat pants, my Boston Red Sox hat and a Mr. Bubble T-shirt I got from sending in the $4.95 with proof of purchase of Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath. Damn did I look sexy.
So I park the car, feed the meter, run to the skyscraper, hit the elevators, go to the correct floor, follow the signs to the suite number, and noticed it’s not that big of an office. Just a simple door with a buzzer. So I clicked the buzzer, waited and who do you suppose answers the door.
Oh joy. It’s the economist babe.
So much for the covertness of this clandestine operation.
Trying to put on my best smile given I was wearing my fetching Mr. Bubble-T-Shirt, I gave her the flower and the note and said, “hi!”
Her face was pure panic. I could have just as well handed her an ebola-infested live tarantula.
Obviously scared, she said, “how did you know where I worked?”
Realizing that she now viewed me as your friendly neighborhood stalker-man, I tried to calm her down by reminding her that, “You told me you worked here.”
Realizing my cunning plan was an utter failure and that she was actually scared by my appearance, I wanted to get hell out of there fast as possible so as not to worry her anymore. Maintaining my smile I said, “well I gotta go. Hope you like the flower,” did an about face, bouncily jogged to the elevator and made way to my favorite lake for my daily run.
Now I enjoy my daily run for it’s just over 6 miles long and it gives me a fair amount of time to ponder and reflect about life’s daily occurrences. And during this particular daily run, I drew several important lessons from this whole ordeal that I think all men should heed and follow;
1. It is infinitely better to be viewed as an unaggressive, unmotivated man who has not the courage to ask you for your number than to be viewed as a stalker. i.e.- Ball in Court Theory is a great theory!
2. Today it is no longer socially acceptable to give a girl flowers unless you know her, otherwise you run the risk of being misperceived as a stalker, see lesson 1. Ergo, no more flowers for the ladies (Besides they cost $2.95, that’s like almost a shot of whiskey!)
3. Women do not appreciate the Mr. Bubble line of designer T-Shirts.
4. Appreciate Adam Smith’s theory of specialization and stick with what you’re good at.
5. Baghdad Bob’s intelligence on Iraqi and US troop movements during the invasion is supremely superior to women’s intelligence on themselves. i.e.- Don’t listen to women’s advice about women.
Alas, it seems to me I shall stick with my time-tested, well-devised and energy-saving strategy of letting them come to me.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
The Elusive Libertarian Economist Chick
I'm a lazy procrastinating economist, but have recently made efforts to start linking the various kind hosts who have been kind enough to promote the epic economic adventures of Captain Capitalism.
Ms. Passey is one of them.
Well, it's actually Ms. Mackie Paisley Passey, but that is too long, so I just call her JMPP.
Interestingly enough, she is not only an economist (economist dames are rare enough), but a libertarian as well. This is almost, ALMOST as unique as the dancing, video-game, fossil-hunting economist.
Recently her and her cadre of bloggers seem to be on a movie kick, citing Firefly (a good short-lived TV series), but every once in a while they manage to fit in some economics.
Pay young JMPP a visit sometime.
http://jacquelinepassey.blogs.com/
Ms. Passey is one of them.
Well, it's actually Ms. Mackie Paisley Passey, but that is too long, so I just call her JMPP.
Interestingly enough, she is not only an economist (economist dames are rare enough), but a libertarian as well. This is almost, ALMOST as unique as the dancing, video-game, fossil-hunting economist.
Recently her and her cadre of bloggers seem to be on a movie kick, citing Firefly (a good short-lived TV series), but every once in a while they manage to fit in some economics.
Pay young JMPP a visit sometime.
http://jacquelinepassey.blogs.com/
Monday, April 25, 2005
Ahhh, Real Women
I think these four women did more in their lives to advance not only the cause for women, but advance, improve and defend all that is good and noble in the world than all of the feminists and all of the women’s studies majors have done and ever will do in their pathetic and self-serving lives.
Girls today could learn a lesson or 12 from these dames.
Girls today could learn a lesson or 12 from these dames.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Another Link for the Masses to Digest
Kyle Eubanks. He just started up, but it is scary how much we think alike, and thus he is obviously a genius and worth linking to. His URL could use some simplification though.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-RxwD5hglcKPLUB9DWJKQsg--
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-RxwD5hglcKPLUB9DWJKQsg--
Friday, April 15, 2005
Ode to Tax Season
Figured I'd have to repost this on Tax Day! Rememeber to forward it to all your friends and have everybody click on links so that I may retire early and never work again.
Some get a refund
Some get to pay in
When the governments take a third
Only liberals find it no sin
As a capitalist
How can I win?
When it is tax season?
If you are leftist
And you hate the rich,
I suggest you keep quiet,
I suggest you not bitch
For the bulk of the work
And taxes they have pitched
For the rich pay the most when it’s tax season.
Where does it go?
Where has it gone?
With corporate taxes so high
You wonder why US companies have said “so long”
You ignorant leftists
Quit it with your wealth redistribution song
For corporations and employers will move to avoid tax season.
Mortgage the future.
Pass on the buck.
Are you in Gen X?
Well I guess that’s tough luck.
For you yongsters will find out shortly that indeed;
When you pay for other people’s Medicare, Medicare, Welfare, Social Security, education and $2 trillion worth of other social spending when it’s tax season!
Wishing you and yours a Very Captain Capitalism Tax Season!
Some get a refund
Some get to pay in
When the governments take a third
Only liberals find it no sin
As a capitalist
How can I win?
When it is tax season?
If you are leftist
And you hate the rich,
I suggest you keep quiet,
I suggest you not bitch
For the bulk of the work
And taxes they have pitched
For the rich pay the most when it’s tax season.
Where does it go?
Where has it gone?
With corporate taxes so high
You wonder why US companies have said “so long”
You ignorant leftists
Quit it with your wealth redistribution song
For corporations and employers will move to avoid tax season.
Mortgage the future.
Pass on the buck.
Are you in Gen X?
Well I guess that’s tough luck.
For you yongsters will find out shortly that indeed;
When you pay for other people’s Medicare, Medicare, Welfare, Social Security, education and $2 trillion worth of other social spending when it’s tax season!
Wishing you and yours a Very Captain Capitalism Tax Season!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
What I Get for Reading The Economist
Understand that one of my favorite things to do is to go to a couple joints here in Minneapolis, find a quite corner, order a glass of wine and read The Economist.
Also, I do a significant amount of latin dancing, and so every time I go out dancing I bring an issue of The Economist with me as there are literally 3 guys for every girl, and thus, instead of being one of the pathetic saps that rushes out to the dance floor, scurrying for a girl, I maintain my cool, by retiring to a quiet table and read The Economist until the next song comes along.
Of course, chicks take notice of this, and while fending off the desperate, broken-English advances of Jose and Juan they see me and say, "My goodness. Who is that secure and sexy man just sitting at the table. And what is that he's reading? OH MY GOD! IT'S THE ECONOMIST! I MUST HAVE HIM!"
And this happens all the time, because, as you know, economists are sexy.
Thus, it was only inevitable my friends would mock and ridicule me for my readership of The Economist, resulting in a friend sending me this comic.
Enjoy.
Also, I do a significant amount of latin dancing, and so every time I go out dancing I bring an issue of The Economist with me as there are literally 3 guys for every girl, and thus, instead of being one of the pathetic saps that rushes out to the dance floor, scurrying for a girl, I maintain my cool, by retiring to a quiet table and read The Economist until the next song comes along.
Of course, chicks take notice of this, and while fending off the desperate, broken-English advances of Jose and Juan they see me and say, "My goodness. Who is that secure and sexy man just sitting at the table. And what is that he's reading? OH MY GOD! IT'S THE ECONOMIST! I MUST HAVE HIM!"
And this happens all the time, because, as you know, economists are sexy.
Thus, it was only inevitable my friends would mock and ridicule me for my readership of The Economist, resulting in a friend sending me this comic.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
The Tax Wedge Blues
I like charts.
I mean, I really like charts.
One could go so far as to consider me a connoisseur of charts.
And while, no doubt my charts are the best charts that ever were charted, I have to admit that The Economist comes out with some really kick ass charts that I occasionally liberate from them.
One such chart is the one below; the Worker's Tax Wedge.
What the tax wedge shows us is the percentage of labor costs that are due to taxes. Specifically income taxes plus the social security contributions of BOTH the employer and the employee. In other words, the difference between what the employee takes home and what it costs to employ him.
A rough translation of the figures above would mean Sven in Sweden makes $10 an hour, but only takes $6 home. And Seamus in Ireland who is paid the same $10 an hour wage takes $9.50 home.
Of course this is a rough translation, as it ignores the fact that the employer also has to pay taxes on employing labor, namely in the form of social security contributions (and in other countries, payments into health care programs, etc.) Thus, the higher the tax, the less incentive a company or employer has to set up shop there. Or perhaps looking at it the other way, the more the governments of Sweden, France and Germany demand their employers (and employees) pay in taxes, the more they incentive corporate investment and talented labor to move offshore and flee to the likes of Ireland or the United States.
This, in theory, should result in lower economic growth rates for those countries that tax their labor higher. Of course those on the left will never admit such things occur and dismiss such theories as right wing tripe, highlighting Sweden and Norway as examples of socialist success.
But, you guys know me. I'm not much of one for theories. I'm more concerned about data and statistics. Which is why I took the countries in the above chart with the 5 highest tax wedges and compared them to the 5 countries with the lowest tax wedges in regards to economic growth. Specifically their 15 year average GDP growth rates.
Now I know that to be thorough about it, I should really do an average tax wedge over 15 years, run some correlations, etc. etc., but you know something? I'm just too damn lazy. And until somebody from the left cares to do a more thorough job in crunching these numbers to debunk me, I think my case stands.
I mean, I really like charts.
One could go so far as to consider me a connoisseur of charts.
And while, no doubt my charts are the best charts that ever were charted, I have to admit that The Economist comes out with some really kick ass charts that I occasionally liberate from them.
One such chart is the one below; the Worker's Tax Wedge.
What the tax wedge shows us is the percentage of labor costs that are due to taxes. Specifically income taxes plus the social security contributions of BOTH the employer and the employee. In other words, the difference between what the employee takes home and what it costs to employ him.
A rough translation of the figures above would mean Sven in Sweden makes $10 an hour, but only takes $6 home. And Seamus in Ireland who is paid the same $10 an hour wage takes $9.50 home.
Of course this is a rough translation, as it ignores the fact that the employer also has to pay taxes on employing labor, namely in the form of social security contributions (and in other countries, payments into health care programs, etc.) Thus, the higher the tax, the less incentive a company or employer has to set up shop there. Or perhaps looking at it the other way, the more the governments of Sweden, France and Germany demand their employers (and employees) pay in taxes, the more they incentive corporate investment and talented labor to move offshore and flee to the likes of Ireland or the United States.
This, in theory, should result in lower economic growth rates for those countries that tax their labor higher. Of course those on the left will never admit such things occur and dismiss such theories as right wing tripe, highlighting Sweden and Norway as examples of socialist success.
But, you guys know me. I'm not much of one for theories. I'm more concerned about data and statistics. Which is why I took the countries in the above chart with the 5 highest tax wedges and compared them to the 5 countries with the lowest tax wedges in regards to economic growth. Specifically their 15 year average GDP growth rates.
Now I know that to be thorough about it, I should really do an average tax wedge over 15 years, run some correlations, etc. etc., but you know something? I'm just too damn lazy. And until somebody from the left cares to do a more thorough job in crunching these numbers to debunk me, I think my case stands.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Meat for the Lions
Dear readers, I apologize for the lack of posts, but unfortunately the past several months, particularly the last three weeks have been, quite frankly, the worst days of my life. Not to be sarcastic, nor to collect pity, but just to inform you as to the reason why for the lull in posts.
Anyway, a very brief post as I am working on a much larger post to honor those that have been with me during these darker days.
It's not economics related, but interesting none-the-less. And not to be a Drudge-esque type site, but it's just a link.
http://www.livescience.com/technology/050407_earth_drill.html
Perhaps it is OK to take a break from economics every once in a while.
Anyway, a very brief post as I am working on a much larger post to honor those that have been with me during these darker days.
It's not economics related, but interesting none-the-less. And not to be a Drudge-esque type site, but it's just a link.
http://www.livescience.com/technology/050407_earth_drill.html
Perhaps it is OK to take a break from economics every once in a while.
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