Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

The Tragedy of Detroit

by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt The Tragedy of DetroitOne of the great highlights of my life was my first visit to Detroit in 1962. I fell in love with the metropolis and of course the Detroit Tigers. This week the governor of Michigan will appoint an emergency financial manager for Detroit, if anyone will take […]

by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Security 101 This week I visited my grandsons’ elementary school four times, three times through the front door and once through a side door. I immediately had the run of the entire building if I so desired. The only line of defense was the receptionist, who gave me a wave because […]

The Unemployment Tax Dilemma

by Tom aka Rusty RustbeltThe Unemployment Tax DilemmaWhen the economy is doing well employers pay both state and federal (backup system) unemployment taxes. The rates tend to be reasonable and are levied only on a portion of wages. During recessions the employers who keep workers on are in effect penalized because all rates will likely […]

Real Estate Insanity…working off the excess inventory?

by Tom aka Rusty Rustbelt Real Estate Insanity So my son and me are thinking about buying a intercoastal waterfront homes in Ohio and fixing it up this summer. He would live in half and we would rent the other side. Given the number of foreclosures this should be an easy deal, right? Wrong. The […]