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one of the main problems with our economy

bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


Is that those in the position to make decisions tend to listen to economists advice but economists are stupid , useless , and dangerous
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Comments

  • CuKevinCuKevin Posts: 1,723 ✭✭✭✭
    I've taken three classes in economics in college (not my major, just for fun) and it is amazing the things my professors say and think. Don't even get me started on how out of touch with reality the economics major students are. It's scary how much influence these people have.
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  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The belief that inflation is a good thang.

    And yes, our economy is controlled by academic theory, not real world experience. Economics is not a science, it is as simple as living within your means and planning a budget - we are all economists to some degree.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Paul Krugman was grousing yet again this morning in his editorial that (despite 3+ trillion $$$ off of overheated printing presses) the government just hasn't spent enough. In another breath-taking comment here, he said that the notion declining or inadequate skills in the American work-force were contributing to our economic woes was just plain silly. If only Obama had listened to him, we'd all be riding high...

    Krugman's editorial
  • JulioJulio Posts: 2,501
    "the notion declining or inadequate skills in the American work-force were contributing to our economic woes was just plain silly". dpoole

    or the notion that the American worker is lazy, stupid, spoiled, or incapable is the biggest bunch of malarkey to come down the pike in history. The Japanese thought Americans were all of the above, and we all know where that got them. Take care. jws

    image
  • piecesofmepiecesofme Posts: 6,669 ✭✭✭
    or the notion that the American worker is lazy, stupid, spoiled, or incapable is the biggest bunch of malarkey to come down the pike in history. The Japanese thought Americans were all of the above, and we all know where that got them. Take care. jws

    That's kind of a broad statement. It would be ignorant to think there is NOT a sector of Americans that are as such, and that number is growing daily.
    To forgive is to free a prisoner, and to discover that prisoner was you.
  • coolestcoolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭
    it is called propaganda.
  • JulioJulio Posts: 2,501
    "That's kind of a broad statement. It would be ignorant to think there is NOT a sector of Americans that are as such, and that number is growing daily". piecesofme

    and it would be ignorant to believe that this segment of society is so large it will cripple our workforce and force us to import labor.

    image
  • morgansforevermorgansforever Posts: 8,461 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Would the dollar have more purchasing power if the Fed was limited to printing X amount of dollars in stead of infinity? If there was a limit, would the term inflation even exist?
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  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>"the notion declining or inadequate skills in the American work-force were contributing to our economic woes was just plain silly". dpoole

    or the notion that the American worker is lazy, stupid, spoiled, or incapable is the biggest bunch of malarkey to come down the pike in history. The Japanese thought Americans were all of the above, and we all know where that got them. Take care. jws >>



    No insult intended or even shared, Julio.

    Americans by and large are hard working and efficient. At issue is the fact that much of the rest of the world, seeing our success, has replicated us where applicable, and contrived according to local custom, to catch up and pass us by in terms of fostering skill sets. The individualism and question-authority inclination that has been the generator of American greatness has also become our vulnerability in the new globalized world.
  • piecesofmepiecesofme Posts: 6,669 ✭✭✭
    and it would be ignorant to believe that this segment of society is so large it will cripple our workforce and force us to import labor.

    I beg to differ, because I see it happening. It's a slow death, but a sure one.
    To forgive is to free a prisoner, and to discover that prisoner was you.
  • ArizonaJackArizonaJack Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭
    Congrats on 5000 post Piecesofme !!
    " YOU SUCK " Awarded 5/18/08
  • JulioJulio Posts: 2,501
    "No insult intended or even shared, Julio". dpoole

    None taken, enjoy your posts.

    Piecesofme, we just have to agree to disagree. Take care. jws
    image
  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Would the dollar have more purchasing power if the Fed was limited to printing X amount of dollars in stead of infinity? If there was a limit, would the term inflation even exist?

    I think that's a great question, because even if gold were used as currency the value of gold would fluctuate. (The population always fluctuates, as do the amounts of goods & services produced.)

    The utopians think that they can modulate how things work by trying to match money growth to whatever parameters they think are important. They are grossly overpaid, imo.
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • piecesofmepiecesofme Posts: 6,669 ✭✭✭
    Congrats on 5000 post Piecesofme !!

    Thank you, wasn't even paying attention though lol.

    Piecesofme, we just have to agree to disagree. Take care. jws

    imageimage
    To forgive is to free a prisoner, and to discover that prisoner was you.
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I've taken three classes in economics in college (not my major, just for fun) and it is amazing the things my professors say and think. Don't even get me started on how out of touch with reality the economics major students are. It's scary how much influence these people have. >>



    Had a few in my business major. VERY big Keynesians. Appears that most of them just regurgitate what they learned.

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  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,294 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't see the problem working as I do, just to keep up with the Jones' … However, the Smith and Wessons keep me running and dodging bullets.

    (not me personally. This is a "defense contractor's " line)
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,132 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The main problem is that humans think they are smarter than nature. Continued violation of Darwin's Law will have severe consequences.
    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,038 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The main problem is that humans think they are smarter than nature. Continued violation of Darwin's Law will have severe consequences. >>



    What you said....me too!
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The main problem is that humans think they are smarter than nature. Continued violation of Darwin's Law will have severe consequences. >>


    And how do evolution or the laws of nature fit into economics?

    The major problem with economists is that their first goal is to convince everyone else that economics is a science and that there are "laws" to be applied and only highly educated individuals can do this. It is not a science and there are not special "laws" that need to be applied. Making something scientific that is nothing more than common sense is strictly for the benefit of those getting paid to provide the opinion/policy. Economics is nothing more than an understanding of the consequences of money decisions whether they be for an individual or for a societal group. A good understanding of how to use a calculator is a plus.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    Economics could be scientific , the problem is there are too many variables to do any type of reproducible experiments. Kind of like climate change.

    It's fine to have a theory but if the system you are trying to model is too complex you can't prove the theory.


    There is also the issue of interested parties acting to suppress results that would harm them and promote results that benefit them.


    At this point the legitimacy of economics is on par with that creationism. image




  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The major problem with economists is that their first goal is to convince everyone else that economics is a science and that there are "laws" to be applied and only highly educated individuals can do this. It is not a science and there are not special "laws" that need to be applied. Making something scientific that is nothing more than common sense is strictly for the benefit of those getting paid to provide the opinion/policy. Economics is nothing more than an understanding of the consequences of money decisions whether they be for an individual or for a societal group. A good understanding of how to use a calculator is a plus.

    I agree. This is true in a rational world. However, what we've experienced is proof that rationality is not always the predominant mode of thought. I find myself wondering how long an over-extended fiat currency that also happens to be the world's reserve currency can be maintained under the pressures being exerted on it. I also wonder what happens when it does fail, which seems to be the trendline that we're on. We've seen similar history play out before, but never on such a global scale.
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,660 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, at least the global-scale economy on this planet is better than the ones on the other planets, moons, and planetoids of this solar system Tough to get a job or sell any metal on Ganymede or Titan. This planet should aspire to the standards set for the Mesopotamians by the Annunaki thousands of years ago..
    out in Sirius and the Orion systems, they got it goin on. They still give us hints every now and again?

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭
    funny how we depend on the people that got us into a mess to get us ouf of the mess. I guess they have most people convinced they are "qualified" to do so. Where were their "qualifications" when they were getting us into the mess?

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    at least the global-scale economy on this planet is better than the ones on the other planets, moons, and planetoids of this solar system Tough to get a job or sell any metal on Ganymede or Titan. This planet should aspire to the standards set for the Mesopotamians by the Annunaki thousands of years ago..
    out in Sirius and the Orion systems, they got it goin on. They still give us hints every now and again?


    As was recently noted in another thread - "Wow, what a diatribe." Seriously, Baley try making a point without being so derogatory.
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Baleyville is another planet.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,847 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Baleyville is another planet. >>



    Mixing it up with alien intelligence makes this the best forum I visit. I don't agree 100% with anyone here. Matter of fact I don't agree with myself half the time.

    MJ
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  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,660 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>The main problem is that humans think they are smarter than nature. Continued violation of Darwin's Law will have severe consequences. >>


    And how do evolution or the laws of nature fit into economics?

    The major problem with economists is that their first goal is to convince everyone else that economics is a science and that there are "laws" to be applied and only highly educated individuals can do this. It is not a science and there are not special "laws" that need to be applied. Making something scientific that is nothing more than common sense is strictly for the benefit of those getting paid to provide the opinion/policy. Economics is nothing more than an understanding of the consequences of money decisions whether they be for an individual or for a societal group. A good understanding of how to use a calculator is a plus. >>



    RIP Nobel laureate economist Gary Becker who died Saturday at age 83.
    Too bad he didn't live long enough for some of the big brains on this board to clue him in on the way of things..

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>RIP Nobel laureate economist Gary Becker who died Saturday at age 83.
    Too bad he didn't live long enough for some of the big brains on this board to clue him in on the way of things.. >>



    "Becker received the Nobel Prize in 1992 "for having extended the domain of microeconomic analysis to a wide range of human behaviour and interaction, including nonmarket behaviour".

    Like I said, they want you to think economics is a science when in reality it is common sense. Sounds like Becker was a psychogist more than he was an economist. Nobel prizes - don't they give them to just about anyone in the national news?

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    His biographical info indicates that he was a career academic. Never employed other than in academia. Hmmmmmm.
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Making something scientific that is nothing more than common sense is strictly for the benefit of those getting paid to provide the opinion/policy. >>



    Embarrassingly, this describes my professional (psychology) as well.

    Still, the best economists (like psychologists) are the ones who are most in touch with common sense, and can best communicate it to others. It's good to have such people around.
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,132 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>The main problem is that humans think they are smarter than nature. Continued violation of Darwin's Law will have severe consequences. >>


    And how do evolution or the laws of nature fit into economics?

    The major problem with economists is that their first goal is to convince everyone else that economics is a science and that there are "laws" to be applied and only highly educated individuals can do this. It is not a science and there are not special "laws" that need to be applied. Making something scientific that is nothing more than common sense is strictly for the benefit of those getting paid to provide the opinion/policy. Economics is nothing more than an understanding of the consequences of money decisions whether they be for an individual or for a societal group. A good understanding of how to use a calculator is a plus. >>




    Economics is nothing more than an understanding of the consequences of money decisions whether they be for an individual or for a societal group

    You answered your own question. image

    Now incorporate that idea into the notion that even the weak shall survive and the costs incurred in maintaining that ideology. Should an 83 yr old man have open heart surgery? Should we spend a million dollars to help an 800 pound woman lose weight? Should we spend $84,000 on I-V drug users to cure hepatitis? Should we keep a brain dead person in ICU for 3 months? Do we spend this money to keep people alive or to keep people employed in the heath care profession? What if we find a cure for cancer or make it so no one ever has a heart attack. Are we prepared for the consequences?

    The human race has essentially said that life (of all species) is priceless and should be protected at all costs. What are the economics of fighting climate change (which had been occurring long before humans became humans)? Do we understand the economics of these decisions and the consequences? I believe not. And as such we will pay a hefty price.
    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • ebaytraderebaytrader Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    Now incorporate that idea into the notion that even the weak shall survive and the costs incurred in maintaining that ideology. Should an 83 yr old man have open heart surgery? Should we spend a million dollars to help an 800 pound woman lose weight? Should we spend $84,000 on I-V drug users to cure hepatitis? Should we keep a brain dead person in ICU for 3 months? Do we spend this money to keep people alive or to keep people employed in the heath care profession? What if we find a cure for cancer or make it so no one ever has a heart attack. Are we prepared for the consequences?

    The human race has essentially said that life (of all species) is priceless and should be protected at all costs. What are the economics of fighting climate change (which had been occurring long before humans became humans)? Do we understand the economics of these decisions and the consequences? I believe not. And as such we will pay a hefty price. >>




    A fine argument against socialism. image
  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    At what point does one become an economic slave?
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭





    << <i>At what point did one become an economic slave? >>




    Fixed that for you



    image
  • streeterstreeter Posts: 4,312 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is Baley going 5150? I'm here for ya buddy. Everything's going to be alright. image
    Have a nice day
  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 3,993 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    Now incorporate that idea into the notion that even the weak shall survive and the costs incurred in maintaining that ideology. Should an 83 yr old man have open heart surgery? Should we spend a million dollars to help an 800 pound woman lose weight? Should we spend $84,000 on I-V drug users to cure hepatitis? Should we keep a brain dead person in ICU for 3 months? Do we spend this money to keep people alive or to keep people employed in the heath care profession? What if we find a cure for cancer or make it so no one ever has a heart attack. Are we prepared for the consequences?

    The human race has essentially said that life (of all species) is priceless and should be protected at all costs. What are the economics of fighting climate change (which had been occurring long before humans became humans)? Do we understand the economics of these decisions and the consequences? I believe not. And as such we will pay a hefty price. >>




    A fine argument against socialism. image >>



    It is and raises some tough questions. If it's your Mom or Dad who requires $1 million in spending to keep them alive for another year then your answer might vary. It's being played out hundreds of times every day in the U.S. with no easy answers - currently there is no cap on how much Medicare/Medicaid/ACA will spend to keep a person alive.
  • pf70collectorpf70collector Posts: 6,655 ✭✭✭
    Now incorporate that idea into the notion that even the weak shall survive and the costs incurred in maintaining that ideology. Should an 83 yr old man have open heart surgery? Should we spend a million dollars to help an 800 pound woman lose weight? Should we spend $84,000 on I-V drug users to cure hepatitis? Should we keep a brain dead person in ICU for 3 months? Do we spend this money to keep people alive or to keep people employed in the heath care profession? What if we find a cure for cancer or make it so no one ever has a heart attack. Are we prepared for the consequences?

    If we found a cure for cancer or no one ever had a heart attack I believe the consequences would be good. We would allocate the trillions of capital that went to medical resources to say maybe finding an unlimited cheap energy source instead of fossil fuels, or ending world hunger, try to save the planet from climate change. The human race once conquering diseases would use those resources that went into medical cures to countless other problems plaguing humanity. At least I hope this is what happens.

    We had had a few revolutions in the past-the Industrial and Technological Revolutions (still ongoing) that have benefited mankind's progress. Perhaps there is a revolution we haven't even comprehended yet.

    Right now the world seems to headed for an economic collapse. Financialization of the World Economy has done more harm than good. Capital is not being properly allocated to benefit mankind. Maybe we need a reset. Financilization
  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    If we found a cure for cancer or no one ever had a heart attack I believe the consequences would be good. We would allocate the trillions of capital that went to medical resources to say maybe finding an unlimited cheap energy source instead of fossil fuels, or ending world hunger, try to save the planet from climate change. The human race once conquering diseases would use those resources that went into medical cures to countless other problems plaguing humanity. At least I hope this is what happens.

    We had had a few revolutions in the past-the Industrial and Technological Revolutions (still ongoing) that have benefited mankind's progress. Perhaps there is a revolution we haven't even comprehended yet.

    Right now the world seems to headed for an economic collapse. Financialization of the World Economy has done more harm than good. Capital is not being properly allocated to benefit mankind. Maybe we need a reset. Financilization >>




    Everything is Financialized , using your example of diseases , if a cure was found it would probably be suppressed. The pharma industry is all about getting paid to maintain people with diseases , they would probably be horrified if someone cured diabetes or cancer because they make so much money on the treatments.



  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    " Financialization of the World Economy has done more harm than good. Capital is not being properly allocated to benefit mankind."

    I agree with the former. Degrading stable and strong economies in order to lessen the discrepancy with failing economies is destructive.

    As to the latter, what is proper allocation, and according to who's standard?
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,660 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Everything is Financialized , using your example of diseases , if a cure was found it would probably be suppressed. The pharma industry is all about getting paid to maintain people with diseases , they would probably be horrified if someone cured diabetes or cancer because they make so much money on the treatments.

    do you really think that, or are you simply parroting something you read or heard?

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • MGLICKERMGLICKER Posts: 7,995 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Everything is Financialized , using your example of diseases , if a cure was found it would probably be suppressed. The pharma industry is all about getting paid to maintain people with diseases , they would probably be horrified if someone cured diabetes or cancer because they make so much money on the treatments.

    do you really think that, or are you simply parroting something you read or heard? >>



    I would not go as far as the quote above. I received the Drug Store News for several years when I was in an affiliated trade. This industry publication would lament the poor flu season for retailers. In other words, folks healthy, revenue shrinks.

    I also recall an article explaining to the trade the Diabetes is the highest revenue ailment in regard to the pharmaceutical retail trade. Making sure to allot ample space was necessary to insure that the retailer claimed his share of the retail dollars.

    Clearly the industry is not as altruistic as we would like to believe. Holding back a Cancer cure, no, as they could name their price. But thinking that they share our sorrow when a family member is suffering, of course not.
  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Everything is Financialized , using your example of diseases , if a cure was found it would probably be suppressed. The pharma industry is all about getting paid to maintain people with diseases , they would probably be horrified if someone cured diabetes or cancer because they make so much money on the treatments.

    do you really think that, or are you simply parroting something you read or heard? >>




    I'm just channeling my inner cynic . image I'd like to think no human being would ever make a decision like that but there is ample evidence a corporation would make the wrong choice.

    Corporations have no qualms about harming people knowingly if they can make a profit.








  • MGLICKERMGLICKER Posts: 7,995 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Corporations have no qualms about harming people knowingly if they can make a profit. >>



    ...or stem a loss, as in the case of the GM ignition switches.
  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    GM ignition switch is half crony politics too , there was a GM bailout that couldn't be disrupted by bad news .

    how about the BP oil spill in the gulf? They even got the president of the US to lie about that on camera ,

    How about that little nuclear meltdown over in Japan?







  • MGLICKERMGLICKER Posts: 7,995 ✭✭✭


    << <i>They even got the president of the US to lie about that on camera , >>



    Which time?
  • ebaytraderebaytrader Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>They even got the president of the US to lie about that on camera , >>



    Which time? >>



    Geithner admits WH asked him to lie on tv.

    “I remember during one Roosevelt Room prep session before I appeared on the Sunday shows, I objected when Dan Pfeiffer wanted me to say Social Security didn’t contribute to the deficit. It wasn’t a main driver of our future deficits, but it did contribute. Pfeiffer said the line was a ‘dog whistle’ to the left, a phrase I had never heard before. He had to explain that the phrase was code to the Democratic base, signaling that we intended to protect Social Security.”
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • pf70collectorpf70collector Posts: 6,655 ✭✭✭
    .?Russia Holds "De-Dollarization Meeting": China, Iran Willing To Drop USD From Bilateral Trade


    Could there be an economic war between the U.S. vs. Russia and China is they circumvent the U.S. Dollar Reserve Currency? Would the U.S. begin to sanction Chinese imports into the U.S.?

  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,824 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There Are No Markets Anymore

    "It’s the Tulip bubble redux, and we all know how that went, but nobody says a thing as long as there’s a buck to be made."

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,132 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>.?Russia Holds "De-Dollarization Meeting": China, Iran Willing To Drop USD From Bilateral Trade


    Could there be an economic war between the U.S. vs. Russia and China is they circumvent the U.S. Dollar Reserve Currency? Would the U.S. begin to sanction Chinese imports into the U.S.? >>




    The dollar dropped as a global reserve currency would be a blessing for the US.
    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

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