Jeff Thredgold
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A Parent's Letter to My Children in School
To my children and grandchildren...nnWith your focus on education, I often find myself thinking about how much the world has changed since I was in your shoes. The world is now a much "smaller" place--people of all cultures can communicate and travel with ease. You face great challenges today...just as I did...just as my parents before me. These words of advice might be helpful:nn n Recognize that the only limits you face are those you set for yourselfnn Be the BEST that you
September 5, 2007
Article
The Resilient American Economy and Its Ability to Withstand Turbulence
The American economy is an amazing, complex, flexible, and powerful entity...nnThe scenario:nnStep back to mid-2004. At that time, widespread media frenzy has developed around a highly-regarded psychic...nn n She notes in lucid terms that she has seen the future three years hence...mid-2007 n n She notes that oil prices are above $70 per barrel and have averaged $60-$65 a barrel for the past 2-3 years. She reports that a gallon of gasoline is now $3.00-$3.75 per gallon in mos
August 29, 2007
Article
The Federal Reserve and its Role as U.S. Money Cops
The Federal Reserve is easily one of the most powerful--and misunderstood--of all American institutions. The Federal Reserve's steady hand as America's "central banker" has been especially critical to U.S. economic performance during the past 25 years. Why? nnThe management of fiscal policy (taxation and spending) during the majority of those years by various Administrations and Congresses was less than admirable. As a result, the enormous and irresponsible buildup of Federal
August 22, 2007
Article
The World Economy - An Alphabetic, Easy-to-Understand, Light-Hearted Look at What is Happening
A sia--still expected to be the location of roughly two-thirds of all additional global economic growth over the next 20 years nn B udget Deficits--a serious issue in the U.S. and around the world. The French, the Germans, the Italians, the Japanese, and many others have similar challengesnn C hina--powerful economic growth continues, with leaders still trying to slow the economy down. China could challenge Japan's position as "number one" in the Pacific Rim within a decadenn
July 27, 2007
Article
U.S. Inflation in Decline?
U.S. inflation pressures have moderated in recent months. This is a critical development regarding the Federal Reserve's ability to possibly trim its key short-term interest rate later this year. nnWe still subscribe to the view that the next Fed move will be to reduce its federal funds rate from 5.25% to 5.00% late in the year, with a reasonable chance for a second 0.25% cut in 2008's first quarter. The rate has been stuck at 5.25% for the past 11 months. nnTrust me...I reco
July 25, 2007
Article
The Effect of Human Emotion on Investment Decisions and the Overall Economy
Economics is simply "the study of life" and the choices we make. Human emotion is perhaps the strongest force in the economic and financial environment. It gets its appropriate level of respect in the real world--and a very short shrift in the land of academia. Human emotion...the need to stay up with the Joneses...the drive to get a great deal...the drive to make a killing on an investment or a property...all can contribute to positive or negative developments in the economy
July 19, 2007