Podcast 370

Final Mad Men. On the night of the final episode of the AMC hit show Mad Men a review of the top stories for the week of May 18th. The economic news these days isn’t good, but you don’t hear too much talk about it because the magpies in the mainstream media are too busy grousing about funding for their precious personal train service in the North Eastern Corridor known as Amtrak, a service the rest of America does not ride very much but has to pay for anyway, or the 45 idiots running for President and what a few Iowans think of them. Meanwhile, the US economy just put in the worst numbers since 2008. Don’t worry, the sunny analysts say, it’s the result of the West Coast Port Strike resolution. Or, the weather. Or … something. There’s always an excuse. Meanwhile economists and analysts are telling us, no-growth is probably the new normal. Really? The future belongs to those who build it, and people who actually build things don’t pay any attention to those who measure, analyze and report what ‘will be’. Its time we had a conversation about what’s really wrong; pursuit of Keynesian economics — or whatever you call whatever it is the policy makers are doing — and its powerfully destructive effect on the world economy. Whether you’re talking about China, Europe, Latin America or Japan, things ain’t to rosy, even though they keep saying, “Don’t worry it’ll get better next month”. Manufacturing is way down. Why? Because of a slow down in the energy industry, after all the so called ‘experts’ said lower gas prices acted as a tax cut on the economy … since all they ever think about is stimulating the consumer. Meanwhile, consumers aren’t seeing any wage growth and are exhausted because the economy is not growing. Who’s fault is it? Who’s in charge? Too much spending, too much taxation and regulation, and not enough leaving people alone to solve their problems. It’s time we cut the government back to what is required to protect our rights, and nothing more. Cut spending, cut taxes and cut regulations, and watch the economy grow. And, people are already working in ways we couldn’t have imagined twenty years ago. There’s a new kind of worker, who employs services like AirBNB and work hubs to cut the strings completely, and wander the world, working when and where they choose. You might be surprised at how easy it is … right now. Finally, are a few hundred Iowa Republicans (Editor’s note: I mean political groupies) the reason people are already sick of a presidential campaign that hasn’t even started yet? Is it time to politely tell Iowa to stick a sock in it? Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Podcast 362

No Growth Economy. New numbers say the US Economy grew by only .2 percent. Yet still, the Federal Reserve says the economy should grow now in the second quarter. Never mind all the ‘experts’ predicted 2015 would be a ‘blow out’ year, and that they have been revising their predictions down all through the quarter, they were still way above what the numbers actually show. Excuses? They have a few. The weather. The work slow down at the Port in Los Angeles. The weather. The strong dollar. Did I mention the dollar? The US has now had quarter after quarter of slow, no, or only anemic growth, and yet the Obama administration and its apologists, and the bone headed financial media call it a ‘boom’. Meanwhile small and medium sized businesses all over the country know it for what it is. A no growth economy. Why do business writers believe things will change if the policies don’t change? Does the consumer really account for 70 percent of the economy? What if we’re using the wrong tools to stimulate the wrong things? What’s that old saw about the definition of insanity? Banks aren’t lending because they can make more money borrowing at the discount window, reinvesting in the stock markets. Companies aren’t investing because they’re buying back their own stocks. The US corporate tax rate is the highest in the world (by far), and the tax code is so complex it costs us dearly in productivity lost (while we comply with the tax code) and literally billions of dollars spent complying with its byzantine rules. Regulations of all kinds make it almost impossible for small and medium sized businesses to grow. What are the policy ideas we need to hear from candidates (which we’re not hearing) to fix the economy. It’s not about inequality. It’s not about ‘reformicon’ tax policies (which are actually democrat tax policies warmed over), or making the government work more efficiently. In this podcast, some ideas you may agree or disagree with, but it will definitely start you thinking. Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating and X Government Cars

Podcast 336

Monday Updates. The week kicks off with a reply to one North Metro Tea Partier upset by comments in the previous podcast ‘Political Crossroads’. The point of the podcast? Is this group punching above, or below its weight politically? Is a true friend someone who tells you what you want to hear, or what you need to hear in order to be more effective? Yes, the nation is at a crossroads politically, and especially on the right. Either grassroots groups will mature and develop the kind of political power that changes political fortunes and history, or they will fade. In this time frame, that means more moderate republican candidates and leaders like John Boehner, for example. People tea partiers don’t generally like. While for voters 2016 is an ocean of time away, for political operatives, the election is already on. Just this past weekend in Minnesota’s open political process, local Basic Political Unit and Congressional meetings were held, with delegates chosen and rules voted on. If you weren’t there, you missed a prime opportunity to set the tone for, yep, 2016. In the end, the proof will be in the pudding. It would be nice to be wrong about the influence of these grassroots groups, but right now – and it brings us no joy to say this – the state’s Bicycle Lobby looks more effective. Meanwhile Minnesota has a surplus, and while the DFL wants to spend that cold, hard cash on programs, the republicans want to spend it in targeted tax cuts and other nonsense. Republican Chair Keith Downey says the money should be given back to the people, and he deserves credit. As usual the Minnesota Chamber of Italian Fascism and Speaker Kurt Daudt wants to split hairs; spend some money on roads and bridges and old people. Republicans need to be a strong voice for spending cuts, and tax cuts. The surplus is not a sign of success, but a sign of fiscal mismanagement. Give the money back, cut spending and then cut taxes. Lots of talk about layoffs at Target, and General Mills. Lots of people will be free lancing. Surprise, lots of people already are, and it may become the new way to work. 53 million Americans are freelancing and some surveys suggest as much as half the work force will be freelancing suggesting new ways to work, live and contribute. Here’s to the 1099’rs; You’re making a great contribution to the future of this country. Freelancers, and people working from home are happier and more productive than those in offices. In Austin, Texas this weekend at the SXSW Tech Conference, protesters demanded something done about stopping robots and autonomous machines. “If man was meant to fly”, they shouted, “God would have given us wings”. Not really, but they may as well have. Technology is fueling the greatest revolution in the history of mankind, and will change everything in the world in the next twenty to fifty years. Get on board, or get out of the way. The coolest development? If you could take a pill that reversed your aging, and allowed you to live fifty, one hundred, one hundred and fifty, maybe three hundred years, would you do it? Sponsored by Complete Basement Systems