Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Opinion, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. GDP continues to stagnate, leaders continue to sell it as “growth”

U.S. GDP for the second quarter of 2011 is stagnating at 1.3%.   U.S. leaders and main stream media continue to call it “growth”.  What’s really sad is that the “experts” expected the GDP to be higher.

On top of that, the first quarter results were revised, no surprise, downward from 1.9% to 0.4%!  It’s amazing how for the past few years economic reports have been revised downward a month or more after they’ve been released.  So is the second quarter GDP of 1.3% going to be revised downward?  I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s revised downward to a negative percent.

 

 

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? British Prime Minister claims 0.2% GDP is positive growth

The United Kingdom is reporting 0.2% GDP for the last quarter, many officials calling it a sign of economic “growth”.  Prime Minister David Cameron calls it “positive news” for the U.K.

0.2% is not “growth”!  It’s stagnation!  Anything from zero to 3% is stagnation.  The U.S. and U.K. mainstream media, and politicians, keep trying to trick people into thinking that proof of economic stagnation is really economic “growth”.

A country needs to see more than 3% GDP (over so many quarters) before it can be called “growth”.   If David Cameron thinks 0.2% is so great then we’re really in trouble!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Property owners put U.S. land up for auction in China, offers immigrant applications to high bidders

According to the Chinese media, 73 Chinese have won internet auctions for land in Florida.

United Solutions of America auctioned off land belonging to a bankrupt company in Florida.  The auction specifically targeted Chinese buyers, as it was a Chinese auction host, Zhuang Nuo, who ran the auction.

1,000 square kilometers of land was split into 100 sections.  Bidders were also enticed with 30 immigration applications if the total bids went over $200,000.

All 100 sections sold on July 22.  73 Chinese won the auctions, with one of them snatching up 20 of the 100 sections.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Nissan boosting production…in China

Nissan is going to invest $7.7 billion into the world’s largest car market…no not the United States…China!

Nissan entered into a joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor, and together they’re investing billions to boost car production in China.  They expect to produce 2.3 million vehicles per year by 2015.

Nissan’s U.S. sales mirror that of Toyota, up at the beginning of the year, but down by the end of May.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Toyota doubles production…in India

Toyota announced that demand is up so much that they’re doubling production…in India.

Toyota will invest $220 million into its Indian operations, with the goal of increasing production to 310,000 vehicles per year by 2013.  Toyota added that it’s all types of vehicles that are enjoying increased demands, from economy cars to SUVs and mini vans.

India is one of the fastest growing car markets, last year overall sales grew by 34%.  Toyota admitted that it does not expect high sales in Japan, and sales in the U.S. are not good.

For the United States Toyota has reported some confusing sales numbers.  At the beginning of 2011 they reported an increase in sales, yet as of the end of May, Toyota says U.S. sales dropped by 27.9%.  That’s based on “daily sales rate (DSR) basis”, when you look at their raw volume it gets worse, sales down 33.4%.

How about Toyota’s divisions?  Lexus reported a drop of 46.3%, and TMS Hybrids sales dropped 49.2%.

Of course Toyota officials blame the March 11 disasters in Japan for causing part of the sales decrease, by interrupting the production of  parts.  But, I remember reading an article that said there were already dockyards full of Toyotas, both in Japan and the U.S., because there was a lack of orders from U.S. dealers.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Will spread of Radiation topple Japan’s longest life expectancy claim? Forget Obama Care, U.S. life expectancy keeps dropping

The latest results of life expectancy around the world, puts Japan in number one spot for the 26th year in a row, at least for Japanese women.  Women in Japan average 86.39 years.  Japanese men hold the number four spot at 79.64 years.

Hong Kong women are in second place, while men in Hong Kong take first place.  Men from Switzerland hold second place.  Women from France hold third place, while men from Israel hold third in their category.  Women from Spain hold fourth place.

Where does the United States rank?  Despite spending the most money on health care, of any other country, life expectancy continues to drop.  Last year the U.S. ranked 36th, this year the U.S. ranks 38th.

In a separate study, looking at U.S. counties, it was discovered that some counties had fallen to the level of third world countries back in the 1950s.  So much for corporate/insurance controlled health care systems.

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

Mainstream Media Hype: Scooters suck, new Mazda 2 gets just as good MPG as a Scooter, and you can carry four people and groceries

The latest hype by the mainstream media is trying to create a craze for scooters.  One report says they get 70 mpg.  Guess what?  So does the new Mazda 2, and it’s a car.

So what’s more practical?  Getting a scooter that you might be able to squeeze two people onto, or getting a car that can hold at least four people, and groceries, and it gets the same mpg as a scooter?

In Japan, the new gas sipping Mazda 2 is sold under the name Demio (I already posted a story about it in June).  The amazing thing about the Demio is that it’s not a hybrid (no expensive batteries to replace), and it’s not a diesel (you can use the cheaper gasoline).  It uses a 1.3 liter gas engine.

As far as sales in the U.S., Mazda will begin selling a bigger car, the Mazda 3, with a bigger 2.0 liter version of the 1.3, later this year, or the beginning of next year.  The new Mazda 3 will get at least 40 mpg highway (no big deal my 145 hp 2003 KIA Spectra, with 5 speed manual transmission, gets 40 mpg).

They will also offer the 2.0 engine in a new Mazda CX-5.

Unfortunately, Mazda reps in the United States say there are no plans to sell the 70 mpg Demio/Mazda 2 in the U.S.  Maybe if enough people demand the car they will, so get moving everyone, flood Mazda North America with your demands for a 70 mpg car!  Who wants to drive a dangerous scooter all the time?

You can go to www.mazdausa.com, click on “contact us”.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho to see local Post Offices shut down

The United States Postal Service released a list of nearly 3,700 post offices that could be shut down.  Many post offices in Idaho are on the list.

The list of cities where post offices could be shut down are: Ahsahka, Almo, Arbon, Avery, Boise, Calder, Chester, Clayton, Desmet, Ellis, Geneva, Hamer, Harvard, Howe, Monteview, Moscow, Ola, Parker, Pocatello, Swanlake, Tensed, Weston and Yellow Pine.

The USPS says it will also consider replacing some of the post offices with “Village Post Offices”.  These would be contracted offices run by existing local businesses.

The United States Postal Service does not make money off taxpayers, they are solely funded by the postage they charge, and other products they sell.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

If you want a good credit rating, don’t live in Idaho. Where you live now affects your credit score

Credit scoring companies are getting so nit picky that now they judge you based on where you live.

CardRatings.com now considers the state you live in as part of your credit score.  One of the states that can make your rating go down is Idaho.  Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com, says Idaho scores low because of high unemployment and high bankruptcy/foreclosure rates.

A low credit score for your state doesn’t just affect your rating, but the credit ratings of your local banks.  This makes it harder for local financial institutions to get major loans from national banks, which in turn makes it harder for them to issue local loans.

Which state can make your credit score go up the most?  Oil rich North Dakota.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Home prices up, no wait down, housing market recovering or maybe not?

I noticed a headline change in front of my eyes on CNN’s website this morning.  First it said “Home prices increase”, then when I clicked on the story the headline read “Home prices dip 4.5%”.  This is actually common on CNN’s website (that’s why you got to do your research).

What I found out about home prices, is that it really depends on where you live in the United States.  Some areas are seeing increased home prices, usually a good sign of a strong local economy, while in other areas home prices are still falling.

Here’s and example: Cities that showed increases in home prices include Boston and Washington DC.  Some cities that continue to have home prices decline are Las Vegas and Tampa.

Normally increased home prices are a good sign of a good economy, but the latest numbers show that even in the cities where home prices are up, overall home prices are still below their highs of 2006.  Maybe that explains the alternating headlines on CNN’s website?