Economic and Financial Gobbledygook Into Plain English

New Crohn’s and Colitis Forum and Social Network

Alec — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:40:46 +0000

I started a web-based Crohn’s and Colitis wellness social network. Please forward to loved ones.

http://cure-your-crohns.socialgo.com/

A public forum for people with Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, and Irritable Bowel who want to be well again! Share what is working for you and learn what’s working for others. No topic is off limits if it can help people suffering from these conditions.

Channel 3 “Live at Five” Interview

Alec — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:48:08 +0000

I finally got a link to my 9/17/09 interview on Madison’s CBS affiliate Channel 3′s “Live at Five” newscast. See it here.

WCLO Radio Interview

Alec — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:37:25 +0000

Please listen to my 10/14/09 interview on WCLO radio in janesville, WI with Stan Milam here.

http://www.wclo.com/podcasts/stan-milam-show/2009/oct/14/economics-kim-hixson/

Hey Ben, The Recession Sure Ain’t “Over” in California

Alec — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:05:47 +0000

Unemployment in California hits 12.2% and climbing. The highest in 70 years. This underscores the disconnect between the language that a political leader and professional economist such as Ben Bernanke uses and the language used in ”real” America. By his highly academic definition the recession may be technically over but by our “plain English” definition – high unemployment, shuttered businesses, reduced purchasing power, foreclosures – the recession is FAR from over.

Article

The National Debt Approaches 100% of GDP

Alec — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:45:05 +0000

It took the U.S. over 200 years to accumulate a federal debt of 1 trillion dollars. Now we are planning on running ANNUAL deficits of OVER 1 trillion dollars for the foreseeable future and our debt will shortly equal 100% of our GDP.

Article

Congressional Budget Office Report

Interest Rates Will Need to Rise Soon, A Lot

Alec — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:35:16 +0000

The Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates as aggressively as it cut them when it becomes clear the economic recovery has taken hold to avoid flaring up inflation, Charles Plosser, president of the Philadelphia Fed, told CNBC in an interview

Article

Hoyer, Pelosi at Odds on Public Option

Alec — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:01:33 +0000

When House members return to Capitol Hill the week of September 8, the Democratic leadership will begin the challenging task of blending the three similar, but separate bills, plus a second bill of amendments from the Energy and Commerce Committee, prior to a final vote. An aide to the House leadership said last month that a vote is “not likely until the end of September.”

Article

Mass Now Has Highest Health Ins Premiums in the USA

Alec — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:49:27 +0000

After passage of a 2006 law mandating all Massachusetts residents to have health insurance, the state now has the most expensive health insurance premiums for a family in the country, confirming that expanding coverage without addressing cost issues (structural/delivery issues) does not solve the problem.

Article

Wisconsin as a Model For Healthcare Reform

Alec — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:03:32 +0000

Wisconsin has near universal healthcare coverage (BadgerCare – not perfect but still) and produces better results with lower costs than almost any other state. The average cost per Medicare beneficiary here is $6,978. Nationally, the average is $8,304.

Article

Heathcare Reform Wisdom from the CEO of Whole Foods

Alec — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:40:40 +0000

The oft controversial CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey, has some solid advice on healthcare that is working in the real world at Whole Foods. Unlike much of the bickering going on out there Mr. Mackey offers some specific solutions that are working now.

Op Ed Piece in the WSJ.