by Rusty (STR) The Great Tax Debate Employer-paid health insurance is usually a non-taxable benefit to the employee. IRC S106. Over the years this “loophole” has popped up in various discussions of tax fairness and expanding health care coverage. The Obama administration has floated various trial balloons, and Senator Baucus (D. Montana), an influential player […]
by Bruce Webb; plan details and numbers by Coberly and Arne The Northwest Plan takes as a starting point by answering the question raised in A Time for Clarity by coming down clearly on the side of the beneficiary. Which among other things means accepting that the current Trust Fund is an asset and not […]
by Bruce Webb Over the next couple of days I’ll be rolling out what I am tentatively calling the Northwest Plan for Fixing Social Security, ‘Northwest’ because the three current contributers happen to live in the Pacific Northwest. But before doing so I want to lay out some of the conceptual differences underlying various discussions […]
By Spencer, What is causing the rise in oil prices? Part of it is that $30 oil in December was most likely too low, and as the world economy and oil demand bottomed, oil prices should have also bottomed. OK, that should explain oil in the $30 -$50 range. I expected to see oil bounce […]
by Bruce Webb The 2009 Report of the Trustees of Social Security will be released late in the afternoon on Tuesday the 12th. Reports from all years are available starting from this page Reports from the Board of Trustees or you can view the HTML, download the PDF, or order a paper copy of the […]
rdan Inspector General report for higher education loan programs and bankers was just published. Another story of another regulatory body being misdirected and limited in its duties.
By Spencer, Sorry, I have been tied up with other things and have not done my usual charts on the employment report. Others seem to be doing a pretty good job. But I would like to point out the issue that seems to be overlooked by everyone.That is the point that we are now starting […]
rdan 100 awesome blogs by some of the world’s smartest people from Online Univerities. I have to smile just before I go to the rat race this morning. MiscellaneousFrom these blogs, you’ll find expert information about the Air Force, UFOs and more. 98. UFO Hunters: The History Channel’s UFO hunters are experts in their niche […]
by cactus The End of the Recession – A Follow-Up In December, I wrote a post (which through a mixup went up in early January) about the end of the recession, stating this: Specifically, I expect it before the second half of next year. I’m actually hedging my bets here – my gut tells me […]