History Compared
For the new year, I purchased videos on Russia’s War-Blood Upon The Snow. In a way it was difficult to watch volume one because I
could see similiarities between Russia and its march toward collectivism and elimination of private property and some of the policies
in our country today. The Obama administration seems to prefer government jobs verses private industry jobs. In fact job creation is
declining because of the insistence on climate change and environmental issues. Just consider the Obama’s position on new drilling
for oil and gas and the new jobs that would follow-not just “green jobs”. The censorship that the Democrats advocate in regard to
the “fairness doctrine” is what every dictatorship tries to enforce on its populace. The absence of openness with important issues such as
health care which originally was scheduled to be on C-Span but now will not be televised but worked out in closed door sessions.
The use of the tax code to implement many of Obama’s agendas. Finally, pitting one class of citizens against another based on race,
income or net worth. Obama’s tactics are designed to win votes even if he contradicts himself or does not tell the truth about what he said in the past.
There is an interesting story in the McClatchy Monday newspaper Jan 18, 2010. It discusses the problem that the Fresno County has with its defined benefit pension plan. Fresno County expects to pay
Over $140 million into its pension plan next fiscal year.These pension costs may result in employee layoffs of close to 7,000 employees , according to the article. This quagmire is largely the fault of the SEIU
That will not even discuss the idea of changing the plan over to a 401(K) plan. The irresponsible trustees will not face the fact that defined benefit plans are out of touch with the our economic reality. The unions
and their refusal to negotiate a more updated
approach has resulted in a stalemate. A good example
of government’s inability to do what should be done
while the general public has no understanding of the problem because no one will explain it to them. I discuss this problem in my latest book on pages 16 & 45.
The financial planning profession marked its 40th
Anniversary on December 2009. I studied and passed all the requirements of becoming a CFP and was the 2nd financial advisor in Fresno County to attain that degree.
Clients who engage a CFP are aware of the expertise that is required by the holder In today’s investment menu, investors are looking either for advisors or do it yourself information.
One question that I ask my friends who are managing their own portfolios (I am retired) is, if you pass away, is your spouse capable of handling your investments since you have no advisor to carry
on with your objectives etc. The answer that I get is “I am not sure” If no advisor is already “on board”, then your children, other relatives or outside friends may take over the account. Most people do not like the choices.
I always felt that I saved many clients from disaster
by just being there. If I could stop clients from “bailing” out at the wrong time, I was worth the cost.
205 billions of dollars was pulled out of stock funds at their lowest price levels-between the equity plunge in September 2008 and the start of the recent
rally at the end of March 2009. How is that for bad timing?
The corruption within the Democrat party with their payoffs to senators to get their votes ala Landrieu and the infamous “Louisiana Purchase”. And the “Cornhusker Kickback” for Ben Nelson to sellout.
The healthcare bill moves forward, global warming will not go away, Gitmo trying to be replaced with the Thompson Correctional Center in Thompson, Ill and finally Climate change fanatic Al Gore lobbying for
using our govt intelligence to monitor clouds, glaciers and tropical forests. The threat of carbon-based energy is not the threat posed by Islamofascism, nor the need to track polar bears, sea lions and ice floes.
Gary E. Marsella