Monthly Archives: October 2008

Credit Default Swaps, AIG, and the Fed – Will $123 Billion Be Enough?

Update on the Fed’s $123 billion in emergency lending to AIG. For those intrigued by my credit default swap post, there is a good article in yesterday’s New York Times. The article asks, “where are the funds being lent to … Continue reading

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Filed under Economics, election, Finance, Politics, Tax Policy, Taxes

It’s an Especially Good Year to Be a Wealthy High School Senior

How the Credit Crisis Will Make it Easier for Rich Kids to Get Into Their College of Choice You may have heard that a male student interested in the humanities has a better chance of being accepted to a prestigious … Continue reading

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Filed under Economics, Finance, Politics, Uncategorized

Attention Subscribers!!

Due to a change in our URL, you may need to update your RSS reader. You can subscribe using the following RSS feed: http://speciousriches.com/feed or, use the following links: Subscribe via RSS Thank you for subscribing to SpesiousRiches! Please update … Continue reading

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What is a Credit Default Swap and Why Should I Care?

Credit Default Swaps – A Primer A credit default swap is a type of credit derivative. Credit derivatives “derive” their value from an underlying credit instrument; generally the bonds of sovereign nations or the bonds of a corporate entity. In … Continue reading

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Filed under business, Economics, election, Finance, Politics, public policy, Taxes

Nouriel Roubini’s Predictions get Freaky

Yesterday I wrote about Professor Nouriel Roubini’s predictions for continued stress in the U.S. economy. Roubini is predicting a prolonged recession lasting two years or longer. While I was writing, Roubini was in London predicting wide-spread market panic that would … Continue reading

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Filed under Economics, election, Finance, Uncategorized

Obama and McCain – Where do they Stand on Immigration Reform?

You could be forgiven if you don’t know where the candidates stand on immigration. With the financial market meltdown in full swing and a full-blown media circus surrounding $150,000 shopping sprees and fair-weather fans, the press hasn’t had much time … Continue reading

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Filed under election, Politics, Uncategorized

Recession Will be Three Times Deeper than Recent Ones – NYU Economist Nouriel Roubini’s Grim Economic Outlook

The worst is still ahead… Nouriel Roubini, (aka Dr. Doom), has been amazingly prescient with his accurate predictions of how the credit crisis would unfold. He spoke at an NYU-Stern School of Business Panel last week and predicted the financial-market … Continue reading

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Filed under Economics, election, Finance, Immigration, Politics, Tax Policy, Taxes

Answer to Yesterday’s Poll Question…

What was the top marginal federal tax rate for individuals in 1955? And the correct answer to yesterday’s poll question is…

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Discovering Buffett’s Edge – How Progressive is the U.S. Federal Income Tax?

An Examination of the Recent History of the Effective Tax Rates of the 400 Highest Income Filers Part II of a multipart series Read Part I Warren Buffett has made a fortune through the shrewd allocation of capital. So far, … Continue reading

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Are you Paying a Higher Tax Rate than Warren Buffett?

Why America’s Richest Man Thinks He Should Pay More Taxes. Part I of a multipart series Warren Buffett, thinks the U.S. tax system is unfair. The $62 billion dollar man thinks he should pay more taxes, as a share of … Continue reading

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Filed under Economics, election, Politics, Tax Policy, Taxes