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Obama advisor, Christina Romer, and support for Simpson-Bowles recommendations on limiting deductions
11/10/2012
The Feldstein, Romney proposals based on the ideas of the Simpson Bowles Commission of limiting tax deductions finds convergence with Obama economic advisor, Christina Romer's support for Simpson Bowles recommendations after the 2012 presidential elections.
Linked Articles
Democrats Like a Romney Idea to Cap Tax Deductions
New York Times 11/12/2012
Budget Showdown Offers an Opportunity for ProgressNew York Times 11/10/2012
German chancellor Merkel and the EU plan for aid to Spain's banks in Oct. 2012
10/18/2012
Merkel turns down an effort pushed by France and Spain at the Oct. 2012 EU leaders meeting for direct aid to Spanish banks. Instead money has to go from the European Stability Mechanism fund to Spain after a request by Spain for aid. The aid request by Spain would be met under program of conditionality set by the IMF, EU and ECB. Spain is delaying a request for aid as borrowing rates on Spanish bonds declined to about 5% by late October 2012. The Rajoy government in Spain faces regional spending problems and separatis sentiment in addition to high unemployment and a worsening situation with its banks. Merkel faces elections for chancellor in Germany in Sept. 2013 and says more time is needed to setup the eurozone banking supervisory authority- to be set up in the course of 2013 with the legal setup completed by Jan 2013 as a concession to France. This would push banking supervision and financial architecture till after the election.
Linked Articles
German Refusal on Bank Aid Mars European Summit
New York Times 10/19/2012
Europe Seeks a Spain StrategyWall Street Journal 10/18/2012
What a difference a year makes for the government bonds of Italy and Spain
10/02/2012
ECB chief, Mario Draghi made the famous statement on July 23, 2012, that he would "do whatever it takes" to bring down the yields on the government bonds of Italy and Spain. These bond yields had reached 7.5%, worsening the debt position of the two countries. A year later in August 2013 the bond yields were down, the gap with German bond yields narrowed, and the first signs of recovery in the eurozone made investment in the bonds of Italy and Spain attractive. Emerging market debt faced the opposite of what they faced in July 2013, as the currencies of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Brazil and other developing countries depreciated significantly. As the U.S. Federal Reserve begins its pull back from its monetary easing policy capital flows and foreign investment to to emerging markets reversed causing grief in countries which depended on these inflows to finance deficits in the current account.
Linked Articles
How ECB Chief Outflanked German Foe in Fight for Euro
Wall Street Journal 10/02/2012
Europe Bonds May Offer More ValueWall Street Journal 08/23/2013
The Sentier Research study that shows median American household income decline of $4019 from Jan 2009 to June 2012
08/23/2012
Worst hit groups in terms of the decline are blacks, people 55-64 nearing retirement, those with a high school diploma but no college degree. The decline affects both younger and older Americans.
Linked Articles
Big Income Losses for Those Nearing Retirement
New York Times 08/23/2012
Negative $4,019Wall Street Journal 08/25/2012
Canada's DBRS, a little known credit ratings firm that made a large difference for the credit ratings of Italy and Spain
08/09/2012
Canada's DBRS put less weight on the political shifts in Italy and more on the low growth rate. It rated Italy A (low) in November 2013, much higher than the ratings given by Moody's and S&P. This was important in the eurozone crisis because the European Central Bank uses the highest rating on a sovereign country's bonds to decide discounts on collateral pledged by banks to the ECB. DBRS has more faith in the lasting value of the euro and sees through the ups and downs of the crisis. It takes a similiar upbeat long term view of Spain. DBRS has credibility because it did not move ratings up as much before the 2008 financial crisis, and did not move the ratings down as much during the crisis, as the large credit ratings firms.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 08/09/2012
The Key to Italy's Rating Is Kept in CanadaWall Street Journal 11/02/2013
The slow response of Spain compared to the more aggressive aproach of France
07/18/2012
The contrast between Spain's lack of strong and quick action for its banking problems and France's aggressive approach to its debt problem. Spain's problems come from the housing bubble and bad loans in parts of the banking sector especially the cajas savings banks. The lack of strong and early action by bank supervisors at the central bank and the government to cleanup the banks created conditions requiring a bailout. The problems in France which did not experience a housing bubble were the result of slow growth, rising debt and deficits. France took an aggressive approach to tackle these problems, with shared sacrifices, and setting a goal of bringing the deficit down to 3% in 2013 with its 2013 budget.
Linked Articles
France's New Budget Focuses on Cutting Deficit
New York Times 09/28/2012
Spanish Official: Slow Reaction to CrisisWall Street Journal 07/18/2012
Election of a moderate cleric Rohani as Iran's president in 2013 after years of economic discontent from international sanctions.
07/13/2012
Rohani has attended theological seminary. He also attended law school in Tehran University and in Scotland where he completed master's and doctoral degrees in law. This gives him a unique understanding of the concept of the rule of law for an Iranian cleric. He cited his achievement of avoiding international sanctions as chief nuclear negotiator fo president Khatami, contrasting this with the Ahmadinejad years during pre-election televised debates.
Linked Articles
New Iran Leader Seen as Moderating Force
Wall Street Journal 06/16/2013
Iranâs Airliners Falter Under SanctionsNew York Times 07/13/2012
The Bank of Spain and failure to control the property and credit bubble
06/26/2012
At the same time that the Bank of Spain was being lauded for macroprudential supervision it was doing little to control the property and credit bubble. The Bank of Spain was slow to act after warning signals in 2008.
Linked Articles
Spanish Officials Hailed Banks as the Crisis Built
New York Times 06/26/2012
Spanish Official: Slow Reaction to CrisisWall Street Journal 07/18/2012
Regional spending and the debt problems in Spain
06/25/2012
Linked Articles
In Spain, a Symbol of Ruin at an Airport to Nowhere
New York Times 07/18/2012
A Spanish Leader Emerges as a Crusader for AusterityWall Street Journal 06/25/2012
Mario Monti of Italy and the plans for a sounder monetary union in Europe
06/22/2012
The discussions in Rome between Mario Monti of Italy and the leaders of Germany, France, Spain, at the end of June 2012. Monti as respected mediator between the different sides and positions and the importance of productive discussions to the future of the Euro and the economies of Europe.
Linked Articles
Why Monti, despite Merkel, could prove the euro’s best hope - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/24/2012
Amid crisis, leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Spain meet in Rome - The Washington PostWashington Post 06/22/2012
Stress tests of Spain's banks by consulting firms in June-July 2012
06/20/2012
Linked Articles
Spanish Aid Plan Is Flawed, Says IMF
Wall Street Journal 06/22/2012
For Spain, Accusations of Lagging on ReformsNew York Times 06/20/2012
China's second Stimulus in 2012 following the one in 2008-2009, and World Bank chief Zoellick's advice for a different policy mix
05/30/2012
A more measured response this time from the Development Reform Commission (DRC) and the State Council. Targeted spending on select and strategic projects to avoid inflating the housing bubble any further, and screening out projects with dubious merit.
Linked Articles
In China, a New Round of Stimulus
New York Times 05/30/2012
World Bank Chief Urges Euro BondsWall Street Journal 05/31/2012
Obama and election advisor Plouffe- responsible governance, Simpson-Bowles and an election imprint on "everything"
05/26/2012
A White House aide says election advisor David Plouffe's influence affected "everything" in the Obama White House. Tom Friedman points to the influence of campaign consultants on the White House as overreaching and pervasive, going so far a to describe the campaign being developed in test tube fashion. Karl Rove pointed to president Obama keeping an eye on reelection 18 months before Nov. 6, 2012, as not a positive development. Friedman specifically mentions president Obama's failure to endorse the Simpson-Bowles commssion on deficit reductions as part of the imprint of election advisors because reducing tax expenditures or deductions might prove politically unpopular. Yet this was part of responsible governance to take on unpopular positions- something other presidents, including Democratic president Truman, did not fail to do choosing instead to educate pubic opiion on difficult steps needing to be taken. Truman took the decisions head on such as confronting the soviets in Greece and other parts of Europe and in Korea after the fall of the Iron Curtain, so soon after a major war when the public was weary of conflict.
Linked Articles
Obama Adviser's Strategy Is High Risk, High Reward
Wall Street Journal 10/31/2012
President Obama Should Seize the High GroundNew York Times 05/26/2012
The high turnout of evangelical Christians and Catholics as a factor in the 2012 U.S. presidential election
10/31/2012
The voter turnout among evangelical Chrisitians could be a factor in the 2012 U.S. presidential election similiar to that in 2004. Both Romney and George W. Bush gaining this vote.
Linked Articles
Henninger: Romney's Secret Voting Bloc
Wall Street Journal 10/31/2012
Rove: Sifting the Numbers for a WinnerWall Street Journal 10/31/2012
The EU debate between France's Hollande and Germany's Merkel before and during the EU's Oct. 2012 meeting
10/17/2012
The issue was direct aid to Spanish banks and the early setup of an EU banking supervisor so that Spain could get early debt relief as its economy struggles with high unemployment of over 25%. Chancellor Merkel turned down direct aid to Spanish banks, and partly relented on banking supervision by agreeing to have the legislation completed by Jan 2013 and the actual setup of the supervision authority during the course of 2013, probably after elections in Germany in Sept. 2013.
Linked Articles
German Refusal on Bank Aid Mars European Summit
New York Times 10/19/2012
Hollande fires warning shot at Merkel over austerity on eve of EU summit | World news | guardian.co.ukThe Guardian 10/17/2012
U.S. bank lending not recovered by 2014 from the severe decline in lending in 2010-2012
09/27/2012
Linked Articles
Banks Wrestle With Lackluster Lending
Wall Street Journal 11/04/2014
Need a Loan? Where Do You Live?Wall Street Journal 09/27/2012
Romney's choice of Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin for the U.S. presidential election of 2012
08/11/2012
Linked Articles
Paul Ryan is Romney’s pick for vice presidential nominee - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/11/2012
George Will: Romney’s presidential pick - The Washington PostWashington Post 08/13/2012
Kazuo Inamori of Japan Air Lines and Akio Toyoda of Toyota Motor- Renewal of Japanese management style 2010-2015
07/30/2012
Linked Articles
‘Mikoshi’ Management: How Kazuo Inamori Lifted Japan Airlines
Wall Street Journal 07/30/2012
To Whom Do Japan’s Most Powerful Turn for Advice? The Sensei of SeaweedWall Street Journal 09/01/2015
Spain macroprudential supervision of its banking system once lauded now turns out to be "timid" and false, could the same be true for China?
07/18/2012
Spain's central bank had a reputation of providing good supervision for Spain's banking system. The problems at the Cajas Savings banks and the current assessment after the request for $125 billion in EU funds for Spain's banks shows how this turned out to be false. Does China face a similiar problem with its housing bubble. The U.S., UK and Spain, failed to control and manage the effects of a housing bubble, can China be a lone exception? Rapid growth enabled China to cope with bad loans in the banking system, with slower growth, a weak European market for exports, and a stimulus that is about one eighth the size in annual investment- one trillion yuan over 4 years in the current stimulus compared to 4 trillion over 2009-2010 in the last stimulus plan. Can China manage this bubble, does it have the experience managing this type of problem or has it papered over the problems as Spain did? This has repercussions for industries and countries from the export sector in Germany, Australia and Brazil to industries such as the German automobile industry, and companies such as Caterpillar.
Linked Articles
As China’s economy slows, real estate bubble looms - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/03/2012
Spanish Official: Slow Reaction to CrisisWall Street Journal 07/18/2012
Spain gets an extra year till 2014 to bring budget deficits down to below 3%
07/10/2012
A decline in GDP is leading to lower tax revenues leading to a relaxation of deficit targets. Spain faces an unemployment rate of 27% in 2012
Linked Articles
Euro Zone Eases Budget Demand on Spain
Wall Street Journal 07/10/2012
Spain Braces for Renewed Austerity as Tax Take HemorrhagesUnknown 07/10/2012
China's bankers and banking now and in the future- Spain's bankers and banking then and now
06/26/2012
The importance of prudent financial management in banking. The example of Spain, the UK, other European countries and the U.S. The unanimous view of experts that China is not an exception.
Linked Articles
For a Top Chinese Banker, Profits Hinder Political Rise
Wall Street Journal 03/03/2013
Spanish Officials Hailed Banks as the Crisis BuiltNew York Times 06/26/2012
Torrelodones, Castilla La Mancha and the effort to clean up accounts in local government in Spain
06/25/2012
Wasteful spending, cronyism, corruption and lack of transparency in local government marked the years of the construction and real estate boom in Spain. Now grassroots efforts are taking place across Spain to clean up accounts, ensure transparency, and divert wasted resources to meet vital needs. Similiar efforts are taking place from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Sicily, Italy, as Europ faced with high unemployment and austerity cuts comes up with its own efforts for renewal from the bottom up setting the political elites aside.
Linked Articles
Europe's Recession Sparks Grass-Roots Political Push
Wall Street Journal 05/21/2013
A Spanish Leader Emerges as a Crusader for AusterityWall Street Journal 06/25/2012
The reports of audit and consulting firms on bad loans in Spain's banking system in 2012 and the need for credible estimates to restore confidence
06/20/2012
Linked Articles
For Spain, Accusations of Lagging on Reforms
New York Times 06/20/2012
Spain Tallies the High Cost of Riding Out Bank CrisisNew York Times 06/21/2012
Four Rules for Tackling the Economic Crisis and how actions by Britain and France differ from Spain
06/01/2012
Linked Articles
France Raises Taxes in Tough Budget
Wall Street Journal 09/28/2012
Bank-Bailout LessonsWall Street Journal 06/01/2012
Lenovo and the PC market in China and India 2010-2014
05/29/2012
Lenovo now has the largest PC market share in the two fastest growing markets- China and India.
Linked Articles
PC Firm Lenovo Hunts For Brazil Acquisitions
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2012
As Rivals Outsource, Lenovo Keeps Production In-HouseWall Street Journal 07/09/2012
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