12/29/04
12/28/04
FT.com - Jean-Claude Juncker, the man to watch on the EU political scene
FT.com - : Jean-Claude Juncker, the man to watch on the EU political scene"<
12/27/04
12/26/04
12/25/04
12/23/04
12/22/04
12/21/04
12/20/04
12/19/04
12/18/04
ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER: Europe with Turkey will be economic Power House
ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER: Europe with Turkey will be economic Power House
The EU with 29 members would cover 3,86 percent of the world's area, have 8,92 percent of the world's population and 22,94 percent of the world's income. The US follows the EU, which is the biggest economy in the world, with $10 trillion 614 billion. China, which has been growing at an extraordinary speed is third rank with $6 trillion 435 million and Japan became the fourth by $3 trillion 641 million. India, which has been outpaced by China for 40-50 years though it is also growing steadilyat about 5-6 percent with $3 trillion 68 billion, is fifth. Brazil, which was a symbol of instability for its rapid booms and busts is sixth with $1 trillion 322 billion and seventh is Russia, which faced a big economic crisis in 1990s but recovered recently with $1 trillion 279 million.
12/17/04
12/16/04
12/15/04
12/14/04
12/13/04
12/11/04
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12/6/04
30th Annual International Futures Industry Conference
30th Annual International Futures Industry Conference
March 16-19, 2005
Boca Raton Resort & Club
Boca Raton, Florida
Futures industry professionals attend the International Futures Industry Conference to exchange ideas, share information, discuss trends and network with peers. Boca has been the showcase for innovation. The place to introduce new products and express new ideas. The venue to seek convergence of the industry.
Today brokerage executives, exchange officials, policymakers, money managers and service providers come from more than 30 countries to attend this annual gathering of the industry's leadership.
To download the Boca 2005 Brochure* for registration information and a preliminary schedule of events from the conference site go to: http://www.futuresindustry.org/boca2005-2459.asp
12/5/04
DUTCH GOVERNMENT TO CUT CORPORATE TAX RATE TO 30% by 2007
Dutch Government to Cut Corporation Tax Rate to 30% by 2007
The Dutch government has announced plans to reduce its current 34.5% corporation tax rate to 30% by 2007. The corporation tax will be reduced in three stages, with the first cut, totaling 3%, taking place as soon as January 1, 2005.
The Dutch government expects the corporation tax rate cut to lead to more foreign investment while making Dutch companies more competitive with counterparts in countries with lower tax rates.
Source: Dutch Ministry of Finance
The Dutch government has announced plans to reduce its current 34.5% corporation tax rate to 30% by 2007. The corporation tax will be reduced in three stages, with the first cut, totaling 3%, taking place as soon as January 1, 2005.
The Dutch government expects the corporation tax rate cut to lead to more foreign investment while making Dutch companies more competitive with counterparts in countries with lower tax rates.
Source: Dutch Ministry of Finance
12/4/04
12/3/04
Guardian: A dagger undrawn
Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | A dagger undrawn
British EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson modestly admitted that Britain has much to learn from the EU. He points out: "To produce the same output UK workers work 14% longer hours than German workers and 29% longer than French workers."
12/1/04
11/30/04
11/27/04
11/26/04
11/25/04
11/24/04
11/22/04
11/21/04
11/18/04
11/17/04
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11/13/04
11/12/04
In memoriam: Arafat - Statesman or Terrorist?
Today at his burial Arafat the former "terrorist" is hailed by many as a great statesman and the leader of the Palestinian people.
Arafat's transition from terrorist to statesman came about because his opponents and detractors, after his violent appearance on the international scene, had the courage to sit down with Arafat and discuss the aspirations and needs for the Palestinian people. Just as we did with the IRA and other similar so-called "terrorist" organizations.
Today Ben Laden and his followers are considered the terrorists. Their cause apparently different from that of Arafat, but nevertheless very similar.
Isn't it time we at least try and find out what makes Ben Laden and his followers really tick, and take it from there?
Is this defeatism? No, not at all. It is based on historic precedence.
Arafat's death has reminded us again that today's terrorist could very well be tomorrow's statesman. Those who can not accept this reality should at least be aware that history one day could brand them as the terrorists.
11/11/04
11/10/04
11/9/04
11/8/04
11/7/04
11/6/04
FrontPage magazine.com : The Muslim identity crises
FrontPage magazine.com :: CAIR's "Anti-Muslim" Hysteria by Steven Stalinsky
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) released a poll in October, concluding that nearly 1/3 of Americans hold negative stereotypes of Muslims, such as (1) Islam encourages oppression of women; (2) Islam teaches violence and hatred; (3) Muslims value life less than other people; and (4) Muslims teach their children to hate unbelievers. The report from Front Page is in response to the above statement by the Council on American Islamic Relations. Note by A-News: The comments, even though it seems to group all Muslims under the same umbrella, focus mainly on actual policies of Arab Muslim Nations.
11/5/04
Europe must not become a safe haven for radical Muslims
Europe must not become a safe haven for radical Muslims
In the heyday of our multicultural utopia, the Dutch political and intellectual elites believed that radical Muslims and radical libertarians could co-exist peacefully in the same society. In recent years it becameclear that this was an illusion, although the subject continued to be avoided in the politically correct media. Fortuyn broke the taboos surrounding the problem of immigration and paid with his life. Van Gogh paid the same price for a provocation which, had he attacked Christianity rather than Islam, would hardly have raised an eyebrow in today's largely secular Holland. But he aimed his barbs at Mohammed, not Jesus, and found himself in a cultural minefield laid by young radical Moslems in Holland's urban districts.
From an editorial in the Wall Street Journal
11/4/04
11/1/04
10/31/04
10/24/04
10/23/04
10/22/04
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10/19/04
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10/13/04
10/12/04
Sinclear Broadcasting Group to Air Negative Anti-Kerry Programs before Election
The Sinclair Broadcasting Group, a conservative broadcasting company that runs television stations in dozens of major television markets nationwide, has ordered its stations to preempt other programming and air an anti-Kerry program before Election Day.
The "documentary," called "Stolen Honor," was written, produced, and funded by what some people consider as extreme right-wing activists. Sinclair has said that it will be broadcasting this "political" message as "news".
Reports indicate that this isn't the first time the Sinclair corporate office has compromised the journalistic integrity of its stations. Earlier it had ordered ABC affiliates not to air a nonpartisan tribute to fallen U.S. soldiers, fearing the consequences for George W. Bush. It has also refused to run a DNC ad that challenged Bush for citing faulty intelligence about Iraq. It has also been reported that Sinclair and its executives have contributed thousands of dollars to Republican causes -- and their CEO has given the maximum donation to Bush-Cheney 04.
The Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission to protest this illegal corporate contribution to the Bush campaign, since the Sinclair Broadcasting is using its television stations to disguise right-wing smears against John Kerry as news.
10/10/04
Rulers over the Gentiles: Mark 10, 43,44,45
Jesus said : " You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones excercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires the first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
10/8/04
10/7/04
10/6/04
10/4/04
EU: Ten year forecast
Speaking to students about European political trends, in Maastricht, Holland, Rick Morren, Chairman of Europe House said: "EUROPE IN TEN YEARS WILL PROBABLY BE VERY SIMILAR TO THE EUROPE OF TODAY--TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE TRADEOFFS BETWEEN NATIONAL AUTONOMY AND CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION, AND EVERYONE IN THE WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH AND BE POSSITIVE OR CRITICAL AS TO HOW WE DO IT." AS TO DEFINING WHEN THE EU CALLS AN END TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL EXPANSION PROGRAM, HE SAID, "THAT WILL PROBABLY COME WHEN AND IF TURKEY JOINS THE UNION, SINCE EVERY ADDITIONAL COUNTRY JOINING THE UNION NOW, WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO MANAGE, AND THE COSTS OF THE UNIONS BUREAUCRACY TO RISE. SO WE CAN EXPECT THAT FURTHER EXPANSION WILL MEAN MORE SCRUTINY BY THE EU ELECTORATE, AND MORE CONSERVATIVE SOCIAL AND FISCAL POLICIES BY THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT. IMMIGRATION POLICIES, CONTRARY TO PRESENT TRENDS WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE DRASTICALLY LIBERALIZED TO REVERSE THE AGING POPULATION CURVE IN THE EU, TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD MARKET AND TO MEET FUTURE EMPLOYMENT DEMANDS. PERSONALLY I FEEL THAT IN THE LONG RUN THE EU WILL NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT A TRUE COMMON AND UNIFIED POLITICAL DOCTRINE, WHICH IS BACKED UP BY A STRONG UNITED DEFENCE FORCE. THIS ISSUE WILL CERTAINLY BECOME A MAJOR PART OF EU POLITICAL DELIBERATIONS IN THE YEARS AHEAD. OBVIOUSLY ALL THESE PREDICTIONS CAN BE GREATLY INFLUENCED BY UNFORSEEN OR SUDDEN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS."
10/2/04
10/1/04
9/30/04
9/27/04
9/24/04
9/22/04
9/21/04
9/20/04
9/19/04
9/18/04
UN Report Says World Economic Growth and US Dollar Threatened by US Deficit
UN Report Says World Economic Growth Threatened by US Deficit: "A new U.N. Report warns the huge U.S. fiscal and trade deficits are threatening global economic recovery. In its Trade and Development Report 2004, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development says the United States must reign in its deficits to keep economic growth sustainable. "
9/17/04
9/16/04
9/14/04
9/2/04
8/30/04
8/27/04
8/26/04
Yahoo! News - Bush Economics: Nearly 36 Million Americans Live in Poverty and 45 Million Have No Health Insurance
Yahoo! News -
Nearly 36 Million Americans Live in Poverty: "Despite the economic recovery, the percentage of the U.S. population living in poverty rose for the third straight year to 12.5 percent -- the highest since 1998 -- from 12.1 percent in 2002, the Census Bureau (news - web sites) said in its annual poverty report. The widely cited score card on the nation's economy showed one-third of those in poverty were children. The number of U.S. residents without health-care coverage rose 1.4 million to 45 million last year, while incomes were essentially stagnant, the Census Bureau said. The poverty line is set at an annual income of $9,573 or less for an individual, or $18,660 for a family of four with two children. Under that measure, a family would spend about a third of its income on food. "
Nearly 36 Million Americans Live in Poverty: "Despite the economic recovery, the percentage of the U.S. population living in poverty rose for the third straight year to 12.5 percent -- the highest since 1998 -- from 12.1 percent in 2002, the Census Bureau (news - web sites) said in its annual poverty report. The widely cited score card on the nation's economy showed one-third of those in poverty were children. The number of U.S. residents without health-care coverage rose 1.4 million to 45 million last year, while incomes were essentially stagnant, the Census Bureau said. The poverty line is set at an annual income of $9,573 or less for an individual, or $18,660 for a family of four with two children. Under that measure, a family would spend about a third of its income on food. "
8/22/04
8/16/04
8/14/04
8/12/04
8/9/04
8/8/04
8/7/04
8/6/04
8/5/04
8/4/04
8/3/04
7/31/04
7/30/04
SOUNDBITES OF THE KERRY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
SOUNDBITES OF THE KERRY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
*"I defended this country as a young man and
I will defend it as president."
*"The future doesn't belong to fear; it belongs to freedom."
*"We can do better and we will. We're the optimists. We value an America where the middle class is not being squeezed, but doing better."
*"As president, I will bring back this nation's time-honoured tradition: the United States of America never goes to war because we want to. We only go to war because we have to."
*"Let there be no mistake: I will never hesitate to use force when it is required. Any attack will be met with a swift and certain response."
*"Strength is more than tough words. We need to be looked up to and not just feared. The future doesn't belong to fear it belongs to freedom."
*"It is time for those who talk about family values to start valuing families."
*"I defended this country as a young man and
I will defend it as president."
*"The future doesn't belong to fear; it belongs to freedom."
*"We can do better and we will. We're the optimists. We value an America where the middle class is not being squeezed, but doing better."
*"As president, I will bring back this nation's time-honoured tradition: the United States of America never goes to war because we want to. We only go to war because we have to."
*"Let there be no mistake: I will never hesitate to use force when it is required. Any attack will be met with a swift and certain response."
*"Strength is more than tough words. We need to be looked up to and not just feared. The future doesn't belong to fear it belongs to freedom."
*"It is time for those who talk about family values to start valuing families."
7/28/04
Dismal Long-Term US Economic Picture
Bush Administration Trying to Put a Positive Spin on a Really Dismal Long-Term US Economic picture
Some of the disturbing economic indicators:
*The budget office has estimated that deficits for the decade ending in 2013 would total nearly $2.4 trillion. Last year August the report called for deficits totaling $1.4 trillion over 10 years.
*According to the Associated Press, a non-partisan Congressional Budget Office study found that "the tax cuts and other policies President Bush proposed in his $2.4 trillion budget would probably have a minimal impact on the economy." While the agency stated that Bush's proposal "could either increase or reduce economic output through 2009, and improve it in the following five years," the study concluded that "the differences are likely to be small, affecting output by less than one-half of one percentage point." The effect of Bush's tax cuts and proposed budget are still unclear, and many leaders are demanding immediate and effective action. AP quoted Sen. Kent Conrad, the top Democrat on the budget panel, who described Bush's policies as "truly dangerous to the economic security of our country ... we have a responsibility to alter that course."
*Bush and his administration officials have said their budget will propose cutting the deficit to half of this year's level by 2009, but so far revealed no details of how they would achieve that. Without the proper plan it is obvious that even deeper deficits can be expected when baby boomers retire in force just beyond a decade from now.
*During the first three years of the Bush-Cheney administration, the unemployment rate increased by one-third and 2.2 million jobs were lost, and the country has gone from a $281 billion surplus to a $521 billion deficit. Debt has increased 23% from $5.7 trillion, to $7 trillion. Bush recently restated his pledge to create 2.6 million jobs, stating "5.6% unemployment is a good national number." However, the New York Times recently uncovered a White House report indicating that the president is considering reclassifying low-paid fast-food jobs as higher-paid manufacturing jobs to make it appear like the unemployment rate is going down.
*When speaking with a group of women small business owners, Bush said that "unemployment dropped to 5.7 percent," claiming that this "is a positive sign that the economy is getting better." Unfortunately, according to the Baltimore Sun, that is not the case. The Sun reported that underlying that positive number was "grim economic news—only a handful of new jobs were created and hundreds of thousands of discouraged people dropped out of the workforce."
*The New York Times reported that the Bush tax cuts and the Medicare changes enacted this year alone will increase the national debt by $750 billion over the next decade. If the tax breaks are extended as expected, the total comes to $1.25 trillion over the the next ten years. Robert L. Bixby of the Concord Coalition, a bipartisan budget watchdog organization, told the Times, "In fiscal terms, there is no doubt in my mind that this has been the most irresponsible year ever." Goldman Sachs economist Ed McKelvey stated in his firm's newsletter that "the U.S. federal budget is out of control." The $374 billion dollar budget deficit in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, which was by far the largest dollar amount ever, is expected to rise to $525 billion in this fiscal year. Should that be the case, the Times reports that "the annual budget picture will have deteriorated by more than $650 billion" during Bush's term as president, from a surplus of $127 billion in fiscal year 2001. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) criticized the Republicans' budget record saying that "they have passed an irresponsible fiscal policy starting with tax cuts and now loaded with giveaways." Worse yet are the forecasts for the future. Critics of the administration's budget policies say that "the problem is not so much deficits today as those in years to come."
*While George W. Bush has been touting good news on the economy, the picture is not quite so rosy, especially for the long term. The Boston Globe reports that recent economic growth is not "merely a lucky accident." According to the Globe, Bush's enormous military and security spending, and two of the largest tax cuts in the nation's history are likely to result in "short-term growth and long-term damage." The Globe describes the economic policies of the Bush administration as a "crude and destructive cocktail of stimulants." Even if the recent positive economic signals temporarily take hold, "the administration's policies will weaken the economy over time, fall particularly harshly on its working middle- and low- income citizens, and fail to prepare the nation for a century of far more intense global competition."
Some of the disturbing economic indicators:
*The budget office has estimated that deficits for the decade ending in 2013 would total nearly $2.4 trillion. Last year August the report called for deficits totaling $1.4 trillion over 10 years.
*According to the Associated Press, a non-partisan Congressional Budget Office study found that "the tax cuts and other policies President Bush proposed in his $2.4 trillion budget would probably have a minimal impact on the economy." While the agency stated that Bush's proposal "could either increase or reduce economic output through 2009, and improve it in the following five years," the study concluded that "the differences are likely to be small, affecting output by less than one-half of one percentage point." The effect of Bush's tax cuts and proposed budget are still unclear, and many leaders are demanding immediate and effective action. AP quoted Sen. Kent Conrad, the top Democrat on the budget panel, who described Bush's policies as "truly dangerous to the economic security of our country ... we have a responsibility to alter that course."
*Bush and his administration officials have said their budget will propose cutting the deficit to half of this year's level by 2009, but so far revealed no details of how they would achieve that. Without the proper plan it is obvious that even deeper deficits can be expected when baby boomers retire in force just beyond a decade from now.
*During the first three years of the Bush-Cheney administration, the unemployment rate increased by one-third and 2.2 million jobs were lost, and the country has gone from a $281 billion surplus to a $521 billion deficit. Debt has increased 23% from $5.7 trillion, to $7 trillion. Bush recently restated his pledge to create 2.6 million jobs, stating "5.6% unemployment is a good national number." However, the New York Times recently uncovered a White House report indicating that the president is considering reclassifying low-paid fast-food jobs as higher-paid manufacturing jobs to make it appear like the unemployment rate is going down.
*When speaking with a group of women small business owners, Bush said that "unemployment dropped to 5.7 percent," claiming that this "is a positive sign that the economy is getting better." Unfortunately, according to the Baltimore Sun, that is not the case. The Sun reported that underlying that positive number was "grim economic news—only a handful of new jobs were created and hundreds of thousands of discouraged people dropped out of the workforce."
*The New York Times reported that the Bush tax cuts and the Medicare changes enacted this year alone will increase the national debt by $750 billion over the next decade. If the tax breaks are extended as expected, the total comes to $1.25 trillion over the the next ten years. Robert L. Bixby of the Concord Coalition, a bipartisan budget watchdog organization, told the Times, "In fiscal terms, there is no doubt in my mind that this has been the most irresponsible year ever." Goldman Sachs economist Ed McKelvey stated in his firm's newsletter that "the U.S. federal budget is out of control." The $374 billion dollar budget deficit in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, which was by far the largest dollar amount ever, is expected to rise to $525 billion in this fiscal year. Should that be the case, the Times reports that "the annual budget picture will have deteriorated by more than $650 billion" during Bush's term as president, from a surplus of $127 billion in fiscal year 2001. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) criticized the Republicans' budget record saying that "they have passed an irresponsible fiscal policy starting with tax cuts and now loaded with giveaways." Worse yet are the forecasts for the future. Critics of the administration's budget policies say that "the problem is not so much deficits today as those in years to come."
*While George W. Bush has been touting good news on the economy, the picture is not quite so rosy, especially for the long term. The Boston Globe reports that recent economic growth is not "merely a lucky accident." According to the Globe, Bush's enormous military and security spending, and two of the largest tax cuts in the nation's history are likely to result in "short-term growth and long-term damage." The Globe describes the economic policies of the Bush administration as a "crude and destructive cocktail of stimulants." Even if the recent positive economic signals temporarily take hold, "the administration's policies will weaken the economy over time, fall particularly harshly on its working middle- and low- income citizens, and fail to prepare the nation for a century of far more intense global competition."
7/27/04
7/26/04
7/25/04
7/24/04
FT.com : Nomination triggers EU battle for top economic portfolios
FT.com Home UK: "Nomination triggers battle for top economic portfolios"
7/23/04
7/22/04
7/21/04
The North East 95 highway corridor disaster area
Driving along the east coast from Florida to Maine or the other way around on interstate highway 95 used to be a real tourist treat many years ago. For some families the trip by itself was a holiday. Today, driving along the East Coast is a hazardous and frustrating experience, to be avoided at all cost. Traffic congestions around DC, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Bridgeport and Boston are of such nightmarerish proportions, that a driver with a heart or nervous condition, who ventures on this hazardous trip, might never make it to his or her destination. To ad to the frustration are the confusing road repair activities that seem to be going on for ever, but providing no traffic decongestion relief whatsoever. Cutting public financing on passenger and freight train services and offering generous tax breaks to pollution spewing trucking companies has possibly been another source for the congestion on interstate 95. You shudder to think if a real disaster would happen in any of these metropolitan areas and people had to rapidly evacuate. It would make 9/11 look like a children's bedtime story. Once you make it through the East Coast Metropolitan battle zones and finally enter the serene State of Maine, where life and progress has stood still for many years, do not think your troubles are over. In Maine you better keep an eye out for over-eager Maine State-Police-Highway Patrols, who take great pride in being the best spotters of out-of-state cars who might be going faster than the average allowed 45 mile speed limit on most Maine roads. Expect to get a hefty fine if you do exceed the speed limit by a few miles. They usually won't fine their own, because all local born Mainers seem to be related, so you will be the main target for their Christmas fund. For the brave souls who make it past all these hurdles to their holiday destination some final advice: relax, enjoy yourself wherever you are, for you will need all the rest you can get if you decide to drive back home on interstate highway 95. Rick Morren
7/20/04
7/19/04
7/17/04
U.S. consumers are laboring under more than $2 trillion in debt
Indebted U.S. Ponders Maggots, Robbery: "U.S. consumers are laboring under more than $2 trillion in debt "
7/15/04
7/14/04
7/13/04
7/12/04
7/11/04
7/10/04
7/9/04
7/8/04
7/7/04
7/6/04
7/5/04
7/4/04
7/2/04
6/22/04
6/21/04
The Netherlands losing people
THE NETHERLANDS: LOSING PEOPLE
For the first time in 20 years, more people have left the Netherlands than immigrated into the country, says the government in a recent report. If the trend continues this could have a negative effect on the economy of the Netherlands, which already has an aging population.
Source "De Telegraaf"
For the first time in 20 years, more people have left the Netherlands than immigrated into the country, says the government in a recent report. If the trend continues this could have a negative effect on the economy of the Netherlands, which already has an aging population.
Source "De Telegraaf"
6/20/04
6/18/04
6/17/04
6/16/04
6/15/04
6/14/04
6/13/04
6/12/04
6/11/04
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