Category: News and Politics
-
A reflective look at my own views on gun rights
Like most Americans, I am drawn into this national debate on gun rights and gun culture. Unlike many people whose opinions I learn about through the news or social media, I do not have strong pre-formed opinions on the topic. I recently considered whether it might be smart to have a gun for protection…
-
Scientists to Congress: Strongly Worded Letter About Climate Change
A reprint of an important letter to Congress: June 28, 2016 Dear Members of Congress, We, as leaders of major scientific organizations, write to remind you of the consensus scientific view of climate change. Observations throughout the world make it clear that climate change is occurring, and rigorous scientific research concludes that the greenhouse gases…
-
Bala Cynwyd investment scam hits close to home
Hardly a week goes by that I don’t read about some homeowner being defrauded by an unscrupulous building contractor or an elderly person being lured into an investment scam. I’ve written and talked about dozens of such schemes over the past three decades. Yet year after year the stories keep coming. The latest incident occurs…
-
Security for rural homes and businesses
Recent national news brought a wave of follow-up stories about gun control, mental health and the risk of violence toward society. I add the unusual personal perspective of having been the victim of death threats and attempted manslaughter. The risk may well be past but it still lingers in my mind. New Yorker Magazine published a…
-
We all love a good investment story
The hunger for investment stories will never cease nor be replaced by automation. Yet there remains no conclusive evidence of the value of active investment management. My comment is inspired by the great article at http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-blackrocks-impact-investing-team-2016-6 [contact-form-7 id=”3893″ title=”Boilerplate Contact”]
-
Tax planning for same sex couples
In 2013 the Supreme Court ruled on a case that effectively put same-sex couples on equal tax and financial footing with other couples. I summarized the financial planning impact in this June 27 2013 blog post. Five significant financial planning effects of the legal change were: 1) transfer of property to a spouse during one’s…
-
Trends in U.S. economic migration
I’ve absorbed a flurry of input this week from news articles, NJTV, a symposium presentation and social media discussion all on the topic of economic migration trends within the U.S. The NJCPA has taken up this issue as it relates the the “wealth drain” in New Jersey. The pattern that is emerging is that the majority…
-
Investing in an economic collapse
Billionaire investor George Soros is in the news again for returning to investing word after a long hiatus. He is known for his skill in spotting risk and betting against overpriced markets. His moves are generally seen as predicting a Hillary win, a negative performance of U.S. stocks, and are and significantly gloomier worldwide economic…
-
Why should you pay more tax than Donald Trump?
“Politics aside, the real question here is why do you pay more tax than Donald Trump and what do you plan to do about it?” Donald Trump further agitated critics recently by refusing to reveal his income tax details, instead hinting only that he pays as little as possible. ABC News drew attention to the issue.…
-
But I’m not a moron
One of the first startling trends of this presidential election was that voters with lower level of income, education and those with a tendency toward bigoted attitudes are more likely to be Trump supporters. It was first reported in 2015 and confirmed by other polls since then. I’ve blogged about the NBC/Wall Street Journal exit…