Robert Oak's blog

BlackRock AIG Presentation Online - Read it Yourself

The actual Black Rock presentation which proves Goldman Sachs was willing to take a hair cut on AIG CDS payouts is online.

The document availability is by the good graces of Zero Hedge, who I also highly recommend reading their analysis and details on the ongoing AIG payout saga. Here are some of their BlackRock presentation document conclusions on Goldman Sachs:

What should be in Obama's State of the Union address, but isn't

My, my, my. Today we have a preview of President Obama's State of the Union address. What is most offensive is the claim this administration is trying to help the middle class.

We are being bombarded with these misleading headlines:

  • Obama announces initiatives for middle class
  • Obama announces economic aid for struggling middle class families

Right. So, guess what policy initiatives are in the speech? Tax cuts.

A doubling of the child care tax credit for families earning under $85,000; a $1.6 billion increase in federal funding for child care programs and a program to cap student loan payments at 10 percent of income above "a basic living allowance."

His initiatives also include expanding tax credits to match retirement savings and increasing aid for families taking care of elderly relatives. That program would also require many employers to provide the option of a workplace-based retirement savings plan.

Are these people shitting me? I'm sorry but we have massive unemployment. What a sorry ass excuse to help for the middle class. U.S. workers need jobs and they need good jobs now. Who cares about tax cuts! When your income is zero, what do tax cuts matter?

What should be in Obama's State of the Union Address?

How about these?

  1. Demand China float their currency. 83% of the non-oil trade deficit is due to China and their mercentile trade practices. It's pretty obvious too. China's GDP was 10.7% for Q4 2009. China holds the most U.S. treasuries. Meanwhile U.S. manufacturing shrank from about 15% of the economy to 12%.

Friday Movie Night - Money Talks

hot buttered popcorn It's Friday Night! Party Time!   Time to relax, put your feet up on the couch, lay back, and watch some detailed videos on economic policy!

 

This week's documentary is on the unethical and corrupt sales practices of the pharmaceutical industry. Anyone who has gone to a Doctor who magically diagnoses a disease you have no symptoms of and each pill costs at least $4 a pop and makes you feel really bad....well, be wary, that's all one can say.

The film's website has a donate button for the filmmakers (although frankly they should attach ads as should all content makers whose work is online) but it's good of them to let us watch their film. With further ado....

Must Read Posts - Sometimes you just can't say it better for 01.18.10

On The Economic Populist you might have noticed the middle column. We try to list other sites and blogs who have exceptional insight and writing on what is happening in the U.S. economy.

Sometimes though, one cannot say it better but miss those who did.

Must Read Post #1

Econbrowser digs deep into the headline buzz generated when the Federal Reserve turned a $46 billion dollar profit. how the Federal Reserve Turned a Profit gives a fairly in depth analysis, says the Fed's strategy is an alternative to quantitative easing and has some additional warnings in the conclusion.

Must Read Post #2

Sunday Morning Comics - Pitchfork Redux Edition

Sponsored by Big Banks - We strive to inspire gallows humor every single day
Cup O' Joe

 

Good Morning! Rise and Shine! Get that Cup O' Joe...
break out the O.J....hang out with the pooch...time to check out the Funnies!

 

The Word - Your Honor

 

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FDIC Proposal: Link Banks Risk to Executive pay

Earlier we mentioned the FDIC might take on executive pay.

Now the FDIC is asking for comments on this proposal.

The FDIC is seeking comment on how these types of risks should be accounted for when setting an institution’s risk-based assessment.

Employee compensation programs have been cited as a contributing factor in 35 percent of the reports prepared in 2009 investigating the causes of insured depository institution failures and the associated losses to the DIF.

Bloomberg reports the FDIC board vote.

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