ECONOMICS: Only the Gooferment could try to manage beavers

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/28/conservationists-warn-unauthorised-releases-beavers-english-rivers?ICID=ref_fark

Beaver-bombing’: unauthorised rodent releases on the rise in English rivers
Experts say trend is because of failure by successive governments to approve releases despite promises
Patrick Barkham
Wed 28 Aug 2024 07.05 EDT

*** begin quote ***

Debbie Tann, the chief executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We’ve got beavers living wild quite happily and quietly [across southern England] and yet to get a licence to release a native animal back into its natural habitat we’ve got to do this 100,000-word application to assess its impact on every single aspect of everything.”

*** end quote ***

Only the Gooferment could try to manage beavers … … with a 100,000-word application.

Hey, here’s a thought, deregulate anything to do with the beaver.  No forms, no bureaucrats, no beavers constrained and fighting to the death for their space.

Especially no “red tape” and all the people to shuffle paper.

Frankly I’d bet “Mother Nature” can control the beavers and provide for all the predators to feed off them with a meal.

Now if we could just find a predator to control all the politicians and bureaucrats!

Sigh!

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ECONOMICS: On the positive side, though, the U.S. government won’t be able to waste … …

Monday, August 19, 2024

https://armageddonprose.substack.com/p/brics-alternative-currency-near-realization

BRICS Alternative Currency Near Realization, American Empire Death Imminent?
Ben Bartee  —  Aug 11, 2024

*** begin quote *** 

The U.S. government cannot print its way out of this mess because the only value that it derives from the dollar, it being based on nothing, is based on global demand.

*** and ***

On the positive side, though, the U.S. government won’t be able to waste nearly a trillion dollars on “defense budgets” any longer to start global wars, nor will it be in a position to export child trannyism or any of its other degenerate machinations throughout the world by leveraging its financial dominance. As long as finances matter, it also won’t be able to exert the same degree of domestic political oppression and surveillance as it once did — although it will certainly try to continue doing all of those things, possibly via World War III to try to maintain its global position.

Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs.
Follow his stuff via Substack. Also, keep tabs via Twitter.
For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store.
Support always welcome via the digital tip jar.
Bitcoin public address: bc1qvq4hgnx3eu09e0m2kk5uanxnm8ljfmpefwhawv

*** end quote ***

Recognition that the US$ is essentially worthless (i.e., can’t be redeemed for gold or silver) will doom the USA to hard times.

Remember the meme: “hard time make great men”.  So we can hope that the politicians and bureaucrats, that are replaced, are replaced with good productive visionaries that will get the Gooferment out of the way.

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ECONOMICS: Dunkin shrinkflation

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Tropicana OJ came in a new bottle.

I wondered why they would do that.

Eliminated the inner seal, slimmer cap.

Ahh hah. new 315 ml; old 325 ml.

Don’t know if the price changed.

Sneaky <synonym for excrement>!

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2024-07Jul-18

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13647497/woman-calls-tropicana-juice-trick-brand-money.html

Someone else noticed!

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2024-11Nov-18

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/business/tropicana-orange-juice-bottle/index.html?ICID=ref_fark

More Tropicana shrinkflation

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ECONOMICS: I fyou need an ARM to buy, you can’t afford it

Sunday, July 7, 2024

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/01/business/adjustable-rate-mortgages-higher-payments/index.html?ICID=ref_fark

Thousands of homeowners are about to get slammed with higher monthly payments
By Samantha Delouya, CNN
Published 4:00 AM EDT, Mon July 1, 2024

*** begin quote ***

Andrew Marquis, a loan officer in Lexington, Massachusetts, said he has recently seen a dramatic increase in ARM loan applications. Homebuyers increasingly believe that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in the next few years, giving these buyers time to refinance their loans before the clock on the fixed period of their ARM runs out, he said. The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, but its actions influence them. This year, the Federal Reserve has signaled that it may possibly cut its benchmark interest rate one time. 

*** end quote ***

I guess no one learned anything from the 2008 Housing bubble.

If you need an adjustable rate mortgage to afford the house, that’s a red flag that you can’t afford it.

If the max increase is more than you can afford, then you are rolling the dice.  If the professionals knew what the interest rates would be, they could make a fortune in the options market.  Instead they are selling you mortgages.

For the average Joe Six-Pack, 30 year fixed is still the best buy; unless you can afford a 15 year fixed.

Argh!

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ECONOMICS: Despite “carbon credits”, imagine how liberty would work

Sunday, June 9, 2024

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/new-tool-to-mitigate-algal-blooms-is-making-breakthrough-results-in-utah-scientists-say/

New Tool to Mitigate Algae Blooms Shows Breakthrough Results in Utah, Scientists Say
By Andy Corbley – May 31, 2024 

*** begin quote ***

The restoration process was undertaken by the Utah Waterbodies Restoration Program, which in turn was carried out in partnership with Brigham City, Utah, at no cost to the city because of the 12,913 tonnes of carbon credits that were sold to fund the clean-up of Mantua Reservoir.

*** end quote ***

Well, imagine if the Mantua Reservoir was privately owned.  An entrepreneur would look at it as an untapped resource.  Not hard to imagine the reservoir owner investing in clean up to sell fishing and boating licenses.  As well as all the other economic activity that would “spring up” like bait shops, fast food, boat sales, boat storage, and things we can’t even imagine.

So instead of “worshiping at the false god of climate change” and Gooferment bureaucrats preventing economic activity, let’s unleash the creativity for a truly free market economy.

Argh!

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ECONOMICS: DJT needs to embrace the chainsaw revolution also

Friday, May 24, 2024

https://jeffjacoby.com/27794/in-argentina-milei-exhilarating-chainsaw

In Argentina, Milei’s exhilarating chainsaw revolution is underway
by Jeff Jacoby The Boston Globe
May 19, 2024

*** begin quote *** 

Through it all, Milei keeps “making the argument,” as Matthew Lynn wrote recently in The Telegraph. Underneath his brash style he is committed to serious economic and philosophical ideas —about free markets, individual liberty, and a smaller state. Like the economics professor he was for 20 years, he wants people to understand the case he makes for the efficacy of competition and the harms caused by overbearing governments. Everywhere politicians are addicted to subsidies, price controls, deficit spending, and corporate welfare. It is exhilarating to see a national leader who has a radically different vision and champions it unapologetically.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe.

*** end quote ***

One an only hope that this catches on with “We, The Sheeple”.  “Soft landing” might be possible if we get rid of all the mochers, parasitic politicians, and useless bureaucrats!

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ECONOMICS: Rescue from “hoodoo” over Utah canyon — free?

Saturday, May 18, 2024

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/crews-rescue-injured-man-trapped-on-hoodoo-towering-over-utah-canyon?ICID=ref_fark

Crews rescue injured man trapped on hoodoo towering over Utah canyon
By: Jeff Tavss
Posted at 3:04 PM, May 10, 2024
and last updated 7:55 PM, May 10, 2024

*** begin quote ***

GRAND COUNTY, Utah — Utah search and rescue crews put their lives on the line in some of the most treacherous conditions around the state, often helping those who bite off a little more than they can chew.

Grand County Emergency Medical Services shared photos from an incredible rescue last Saturday that found a man stranded on a hoodoo towering thousands of feet in the air over the canyon below.

*** end quote ***

# – # – # – # – # 

FROM FARK

Subby doesn’t subscribe to the notion that someone in danger should pay for their rescue, but, of course, there are exceptions 

# – # – # – # – # 

A rescue crew for 3 hours costs something.  Why should “rescues” be “free” except to the Taxpayer.

Maybe there should be a sliding scale for reimbursement based on “forseeability of requiring rescue” or total cost or some other factors.

One buys travel and medical insurance in connection with a cruise.  Why not something similar for venues like the Grand Canyon, National Parks, or ski slopes?

Maybe I’m a grinch but the Taxpayers should not be the stuckee.

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ECONOMICS: College grads STILL earn less that plumbers

Friday, February 23, 2024

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2019/08/bill-sardi/the-dumb-american-worker/

The Dumb American Worker
By Bill Sardi
August 6, 2019

*** begin quote ***

Here we go, socialist jingo. Note the words “income inequality.” Joining a union is not going to get you anywhere as the union takes a cut of your paycheck. Unions, plus or minus, socialize what a worker is worth.  

Businesses operate in a competitive market. Cost of labor can doom a restaurant owner who is only working on a 10% profit margin to begin with. Of course, we can halt competition. Then the cost of everything rises.

We send American kids to school with no orientation on how to get a job, how to build their worth, how to develop job skills. Students pass a few college classes that hand out true or false tests and that makes them worth more in the labor market? Young Americans would be better off working as an understudy plumber. 

A few years ago The Wall Street Journal published a report showing plumbers make more money (six figures) than college graduates. 

*** end quote ***

And, I just shake my head at the “stupidity” of “immature adults” taking loans for degrees that command no use in the market place.

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ECONOMICS: Changing CEO incentives to more align with the needs of society

Sunday, February 18, 2024

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2024/02/14/why-they-dont-care/

Why They Don’t Care
By Eric – February 14, 2024

*** begin quote ***

People ask why the CEOs of major automakers go along with what’s going on; can’t they see it’s killing their business?

Of course. They are not stupid people. But they are extremely wealthy people. So wealthy they don’t have to care – about anything. Certainly not whether the company they head goes under at some point in the future.

It won’t affect them, you see.

Consider GM’s Mary Barra as a case in point. She is paid around $29-30 million every year. It is difficult for the average middle class person who earns a “good living” to appreciate just how much money Barra is paid (I am careful to not say earns) in just one year.

*** end quote ***

I have long thought that “executive compensation” focused on high salaries and stock options.  This has lead to a conflict in “incentives”.  The short term focus of corporate management and investment firms has been disaster for the economy, all the “little people”, pension funds, and investors.  Corporate management has no incentive to manage for the long run. 

It’s time for the Gooferment and the tax code to change the incentives.

I’ve always thought that “corporate management” should be paid is a modest “salary” (i.e., the average paid to individuals in their company), and any “excess” or “performance bonuses” in  laddered tiers of non-transferable corporate bonds (with allowances for death and personal bankruptcy).  Should their corporation goes “tits up” before those bonds mature, well then that’s just tough luck.

That will realign the incentives quickly.

To “encourage” quick adoption, excessive salary could have a special FU tax associated with it.  I’d like it paid to  the share owners, but that is getting down the road.

Maybe this would make those i the C-suite care!

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ECONOMICS: Inflation never goes “back”; that’s deflation

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

https://confoundedinterest.net/2024/01/30/captain-obvious-award-goes-to-treasury-secretary-yellen-who-admits-high-prices-here-to-stay-food-cpi-up-21-gasoline-prices-up-38-under-inflation-joe-home-prices-up-33-2-mortgage-rates/

Captain Obvious Award Goes To … Treasury Secretary Yellen Who Admits “High Prices Here To Stay” (Food CPI UP 21%, Gasoline Prices UP 38% Under “Inflation Joe”, Home Prices UP 33.2%, Mortgage Rates UP 154%)

1/30/2024, 1:07:50 PM · by Kaiser8408a · 13 replies

Confounded Interest ^ | 01/30/2024 | Anthony B. Sanders

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen just admitted what the rest of Americans already knew: high prices are here to stay. Example? Food prices (CPI) are up over 20% under Inflation Joe while gasoline prices are up 38% under Clueless Joe. On the housing front, the Case-Shiller National Home Price Index is up 33.2% under Biden. And Freddie Mac’s 3-year mortgage rate is up 154% under Biden’s leadership (c’mon man! Obama is pulling the strings on Puppet Joe). Speaking during an interview with ABC News Live over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted prices aren’t going down, contradicting arguments repeatedly made…

# – # – # – # – # 

Yup, that means we are NEVER getting back to penny candy, nickel cigars, and 25¢!

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