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  • Stratfor: Odds of War with Iran Spiking

    In just the last few weeks, we have learned several disturbing new things about Iran's nuclear capabilities. First, we discovered that Iran has a large secret uranium enrichment facility inside a mountain south of Tehran that we didn't previously know about. Second, shortly thereafter, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear oversight group, said that Iran is much more advanced in its nuclear program than the IAEA had thought previously. According to the report, Iran now has all the data needed to design a nuclear weapon.

    Third, was a revelation in the first days of October by the Times of London which reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Moscow on September 7 to charge that Russian scientists and engineers are working directly with Iran on its nuclear weapons program. This intelligence suggests that Iran may be much further along in developing nuclear weapons than the international community previously believed.

    To give us insights on these latest revelations about Iran and its nuclear ambitions, we turn to our good friends at Stratfor.com this week. Please read what follows very carefully.

    ...

  • Healthcare Reform or Government Takeover?

    President Obama addressed a rare joint session of Congress on September 9 when he spoke at length about his desire to substantially reform America’s healthcare system. Whether you are among the apprx. 56% of Americans who now oppose the healthcare reform bill in the House, or you are among the apprx. 43% who support it (latest Rasmussen poll), it is important to know the facts - a number of which the president failed to address or misrepresented in his speech.

    While I have refrained from writing at length on the healthcare reform debate, I feel the issue is just too important, and too politically charged, not to speak out. In the pages that follow, we will delve into some of the biggest problems and challenges with the House healthcare bill, H.R. 3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. Given that there is so much misinformation on healthcare reform out there, on both sides, maybe this will help.

    ...

  • Support Wanes For Obama's Huge Stimulus Plan

    The Senate finally passed its version of President Obama's near $1 trillion economic "stimulus" package. But as Americans saw that this so-called stimulus package is loaded with pork-barrel spending and does not include nearly enough in tax cuts and direct incentives, public support for it plummeted. The Republicans' alternative plans that proposed more in tax cuts were ignored (of course). I have numerous problems with the giant stimulus program, especially regarding the "protectionism" elements as you will see. Finally, earlier today Treasury Secretary Geithner announced a new plan to spend $2-$3 trillion to bail out banks, buy troubled assets, unfreeze the credit markets, etc., etc. I will have more to say about this as the details become available....

  • Obama's Tax Policy: None Dare Call It Welfare

    We have recently learned the details of President-elect Obama's massive income tax overhaul, and the plan is much worse than we had anticipated. Obama's liberal tax plan would give annual tax rebates to millions of Americans who already pay NO income taxes whatsoever. Giving government tax rebate checks to those who already pay zero income taxes is nothing short of expanding the welfare state (or socialism as I prefer to call it). Worst of all, if Obama gets his massive tax plan approved, it will mean that a majority of Americans will pay little or no income taxes, while the so-called "wealthy" will foot the rest of the bill. If we reach such a point, there will be little to no chance of true tax reform for the foreseeable future. Read what follows very carefully....

  • Economic & Investment Outlook For 2009

    As we kick off the New Year, let's review the latest dismal economic and financial data and the consensus views of what lies ahead in 2009 for the economy, the credit crisis and the markets. As you might expect, most of my trusted sources believe that the recession will be with us for a while, but there is hope that the economy will begin to bottom out sometime late this year - aided by more huge government bailouts that President-elect Obama has in store for us....

  • Obama's Judges vs. Republican Opposition

    Since I began writing this E-Letter in 2002, I have always maintained that politics and investments are joined at the hip. The political "solutions" coming out of Washington to address the subprime debt crisis and resulting credit crunch should be more than enough to prove this thesis. This week, I'm going to discuss a political issue where the tie to investments may not be as evident, but it's there. The issue is the potential for liberal judicial appointments during the Obama presidency, and how these may change the legal landscape. President-elect Obama is already on record as supporting the "living document" interpretation of the Constitution, and so will likely favor jurists who share this viewpoint. This could mean more "legislating from the bench" and other forms of liberal judicial activism. If so, all I can say is hold onto your pocket books!...

  • The Democrats' Plan To Highjack Your 401(k)

    Well, election day is upon us. While the mainstream media would have us believe that the results are a foregone conclusion in Obama's favor, recent polls have indicated a narrowing of his lead over McCain in some battleground states. Obviously, we'll all just have to wait and see how the votes turn out. In the meantime, I think it's important that we conservatives notice some of the trial balloons that are being floated by the Democratic leadership. One recent proposal that would eliminate the favorable tax treatment of 401(k) plans shows us that, no matter how the election turns out, we have plenty to fear from the liberals who are already in office....

  • Might Uncle Sam Make Money On The Bailout?

    The entire country is in a tizzy over the massive government bailout plan. The credit markets have seized up even further, risking a real credit crisis or worse. Banks are dropping like flies. Yet the $700+ billion bailout was voted down yesterday in the House of Representatives. But it is far from dead. This week, I will summarize the latest bailout plan, both the good and the bad and the risks. Actually, there are some smart people who believe the government will make money on the bailout plan, maybe a lot of money. I'll explain that as well, although I don't necessarily agree. Hopefully, this week's discussion will be helpful. Let's jump in....

  • The Economy, The Electoral Map & The United Nations

    This week we hit several topics, beginning with the latest economic news which suggests we will not fall into a recession this year - but 2009 could be another story. Next, we ponder the stock market and whether the July lows were a bottom. We then move on to the latest analysis of the Electoral Map and pinpoint the key states McCain has to win if he is to be elected president, and I also offer my thoughts on McCain's surprising choice for VP. Finally, and most importantly, we take a close look at the Democrats' new Party Platform which contains several very troubling intentions. You need to read this article from AIM and pass it on! Let's get started....

  • Thoughts On China, The Olympics & Investing

    This week, I turn our attention to this year's Summer Olympics which will be held in China beginning this Friday, August 8 and running through the closing ceremonies on August 24, assuming all goes as planned. China has long been a mystery to the rest of the developed world, and the Olympics will no doubt shed much light on China, its communist government and its culture. Our friends at Stratfor.com offer an interesting analysis of China from a political perspective and what that might mean for the Olympics. With their permission, I have reprinted that analysis in the pages that follow - enjoy. Finally, if you are invested in China, you might consider taking some profits this week, just in case anything bad should happen during the Olympics....

  • On The Economy, The Fed & President Obama

    This week we begin by taking the pulse of the US economy, which is holding up better than most analysts have expected. 1Q growth was better than forecast, and it now looks like the 2Q will be better than expected as well. The bad news is that inflation is on the rise, and there are fears that the Fed will begin to hike interest rates soon - but then maybe not - I'll give you my take on it. Finally, we focus on the presidential race which seems to be tightening according to the national polls. I will highlight Obama's background and his positions that bother me, and why I think he is the most arrogant candidate in a long time. Finally, we will take a detailed look at the 11 "battleground" states where the race could go either way. Feel free to share this analysis as you see fit....

  • Election '08 - Supreme Court In The Balance

    If you are undecided about who to vote for in the presidential election, perhaps you should consider the Supreme Court. The next president will likely have the opportunity to nominate 2-3 Supreme Court justices. This week, we will discuss the current make-up of the Supreme Court and the deep divide among the liberal and conservative wings of the High Court. We will also consider what kind of judges Senators McCain and Obama would likely nominate if they are president for the next four years. If you have been reluctant to vote for McCain, the implications for the Supreme Court should help you make up your mind....

  • The Corn Ethanol Myth & My Retirement

    This week, we explore the ethanol myth, and why not, since corn prices have recently exploded to over $6 per bushel, an all-time record high. As a result, farmers are planting corn everywhere they can and selling much of it to ethanol producers. But upon closer examination, we find that corn ethanol is not a very efficient fuel to produce or consume, especially if we strip away the massive government subsidy of $1.90 per gallon....

  • The Incredible Shrinking Republican Base

    Now that Obama appears to have a lock on being the Democratic candidate for president, we now shift our focus to John McCain. We all know that McCain is no conservative - not by a long shot. However, the real question is how the Republican "base" will vote, if they vote at all. For years, this base has been made up of white, married Christians, but there are indications that the Republican base may be changing. If so, the 2008 election may offer us a glimpse into the future of Republican politics. This week, I will reprint a very interesting article by Dr. Alan Abramowitz that discusses the shrinking Republican base. After that, I'll offer my own analysis of the situation....

  • Why We Want Obama To Be The Dem's Nominee

    by Gary Halbert & Spencer Wright Many of you, like us, are probably at a loss as to which candidate we want to see run against GOP nominee John McCain. Both Obama and Hillary are very liberal and have similar policies. As much as I hate to admit it...
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