The investor’s eye view of politics is a simplistic, practical, dot-connecting approach to sorting things out so that win/win change can be considered. Real world politics is not concerned with such things, and that is one of the most serious problems facing investors today. There are at least ten issues that require government action if we are to maintain our competitive position in the world economy. Most of these are interrelated and need to be acted upon simultaneously— thus causing a major political dilemma.

Politicians are much more interested in talking about change than they are in actually legislating it; they prefer to champion just one specific issue at a time so as not to appear too independent; and they can’t keep themselves from back sliding into the now archaic distinction between investors and poor people. Rich or poor, most Americans have investments.
For the small investor to become wealthier his or …

The six months before June 2008 have shown business diversification in very favorable light for stocks. Innumerable portfolios have come to grief because of their over-dependencies on one or the other segment of the world economy. Almost all stock investors, whether by hindsight or foresight, must look at stocks of diversified companies to weather the current market conditions until the next upswing.

Capital, human, physical and intangible resources limit diversification. A management team may wish to enter a new field of activity, but lack the capabilities to compete profitably and in sustainable ways. A wide client base gives a corporation most of the benefits of diversification, without requiring such diverse resources.

This is the case of a small-capital member of the Electronic Instrumentation & Controls Industry from Quincy, MA. Horticulture, foods, mining, aerospace, and logistics are examples of the breadth of industries which this company serves. It makes power transmission and motion

June 3, 2008, U.S. Senate. The Warner-Lieberman “Climate Security Act Of 2008″ is debated the day before amendments are brought to the floor.

Second and third clip show Senator Larry Craig [R-ID]. Pested by his colleagues and not having political capital to lose, Senator Craig delivers a phenomenal speech, he will be missed:

“Why don’t we call this bill the China-India Economic Stimulus Act of 2008?, because clearly those countries that are rapidly becoming the largest emitters of greenhouse gas are going to be allowed to run free in the world economy while we put the clamps on our economy.”

Why is oil going high and going higher? Well, basically, the world economy is growing at 4%. The world oil supply is flat or growing — at most — 1%. The world economy runs on oil. And that’s a recipe for higher oil prices.

Here is a movie you might want to check out …

And here’s another one. I don’t know if they’re really making a movie of Kunstler’s book, but the book is great. Here’s a movie trailer … maybe it’s just an ad for the book?

Quote for the day ……