Category Archives: Taxes

Should Jobless Benefits Be Extended for the Eighth Time?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: July 19, 2010
An editorial in The Wall Street Journal this week discusses the proposal to extend jobless benefits for the eighth time since the recession started.  This extension would mean the unemployed can collect benefits for up to 99 weeks, nearly two years.  Is this a good idea from an economics point of view?  Is this compassion?  Or, are [...]
Also posted in America's Future, Depression, Double-Dip Recession, Economic Growth, Economy, Jobs | Comments closed

Economic Optimism Down – 17 Month Low – Why?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: July 13, 2010
SPECIAL BLOG POSTING Investor’s Business Daily reported this week that economic optimism is down to a 17 month low, according to the IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index.  Separately, small business confidence is also declining with a lower sales outlook, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.  Why has economic optimism declined?  Are these results unexpected?  Let’s [...]
Also posted in America's Future, Double-Dip Recession, Economy, Jobs, Unemployment | Comments closed

Are We Entering a Depression?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: June 28, 2010
Economist Paul Krugman in an op-ed column in The New York Times online edition indicates that he is fearful that we are now in the early stages of a depression, possibly the third depression in our history.  Krugman also appears to believe that the cause will be government policy mistakes.  Specifically, he sees the need for [...]
Also posted in America's Future, Depression, Economy, Jobs | Comments closed

Taxes are Going Up – But Will Deficits and Debt Go Down?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: May 16, 2010
Lots of people have been calling for new taxes and tax increases at the Federal, state and local levels.  We also know that Washington will allow the Bush tax cuts to expire soon.  So, taxes are going up.  No doubt about it.  But, as our taxes go up and up, will our deficits and debt decline?  [...]
Also posted in Economy | Comments closed

The $1 Trillion Euro-Bailout, Riots in Greece, and Turbulent Markets – Should Americans Care?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: May 10, 2010
An editorial piece in The Wall Street Journal this week states that: “The EU’s bailout postpones the day of fiscal reckoning.”  What does that mean for Europe and for America?  What do they mean by a day of fiscal reckoning?  Plus, why were Greeks rioting any way?  And, why should that make our markets so turbulent?  Should Americans really care [...]
Also posted in America's Economic War, America's Future, Economy | Comments closed

Fox News Channel Interview – Great People, Enjoyed Doing the Interview

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: April 29, 2010
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Fox News.  It was a great experience and the Fox News Channel staff were terrific people.  If you’re interested in learning more about the interview, please read on. The live interview took place last Tuesday and went about 15 minutes from roughly 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm EDT.  [...]
Also posted in Economy, Fox News, Jobs | Comments closed

Is a VAT Tax Back on the Table?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: April 22, 2010
A recent Yahoo news story suggests that President Obama might consider a VAT (or Value-Added Tax) – essentially a National Sales Tax.  Recently, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volker brought up the topic of a VAT tax as a potential way to boost taxes.  But, others thought much differently, including the U.S. Senate that voted overwhelmingly 85-13 last week in [...]
Also posted in Economy, Jobs | Comments closed

Green Jobs vs. Blue Jobs – Which Jobs Are Better for America?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: April 20, 2010
An article in The Wall Street Journal this week discusses the fact that despite considerable hype over green jobs and government spending, green jobs are just plain scarce.  Indeed, renewable energy rhetoric has run into real world reality!  Is anyone surprised? The President wants to create millions and millions of green jobs, and in fact, some money from the $787B stimulus [...]
Also posted in Economy, Jobs | Comments closed

Is the Outlook for Jobs Very Bleak?

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: April 12, 2010
An opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal this week paints a very gloomy picture for jobs in America.  According to the article, at least one third of the 162,000 new jobs created in March were temporary census jobs and the actual new jobs created were insufficient to keep up with population growth.  In addition, [...]
Also posted in America's Economic War, America's Future, Economy, Health Care System, Jobs | Comments closed

A Strong Case against Health Care “Reform” – 14 Key Points (Part 4)

By Gerard Francis Lameiro | Published: March 8, 2010
This week, President Obama is once again pushing hard for so-called health care “reform.”  Such health care “reform” might better be called government-controlled or government-dictated health care for every American.  With all the debate going on, let’s summarize a strong case against so-called health care “reform.” In Part 1, the 14 Key Points against government-controlled health care [...]
Also posted in Health Care System | Comments closed