Point of no return

Point of no return

     This article looks a bit at the future of Obamacare. It pointed out that 7 million Americans so far signed up and 13 million are expected by February of 2015. Obamacare is heavily criticized, this article however says that most people are too uneducated about it to have a valid position. Prices to maintain Obamacare will also rise in the coming year, this cost will be directly accounted for by those who are enrolled.

     I think that Obamacare needs some clearing up. People need to be more educated about it, but also efforts need to be made to make it more user friendly as many people complain the services don't work as they should. It also doesn't seem fair to charge those who are enrolled more in the coming year when it has been in use for such a short time. 



Large Healthcare Cost Increases Are Built Into Obamacare Implementation

Large Healthcare Cost Increases Are Built Into Obamacare Implementation

     Healthcare spending in the US has increased dramatically this year. Spending was increased by 9.9% while the total economy has only increased 0.1% in the first quarter of 2014. This article featured a plan for how to cut down on healthcare costs. People should try to go to a physician's office instead of a hospital, hospitals can be up to 10 times as much for the same treatment. Government influences and over regulation also drive of medical costs, less government influence would make care more affordable. The article also said that 1/3 Americans are overweight and that relates to 75% of medical spending coming from weight related issues.

     The plan this article puts into place makes sense as a start to a solution. Using a physician's office more would easily cut numerous cost. A decrease in government influence on healthcare would make the costs to everyone less. A stronger stance to lessen the number of overweight people would also decrease the national healthcare spending.

Global unemployment rises above 200 million

Global unemployment rises above 200 million

     This article mentions that unemployment is more than just an American issue, it's a global one. Global unemployment is on the rise, especially in younger workers who are not yet established with experience. Even though the economy has been improving and doing well recently many corporations are deciding to hold onto extra funds, buy back shares, or reward shareholders instead of investing in growth and new employees. The article also says that the number of people not in education, employment, or training is also on the rise globally.
     I can agree with this article that unemployment is a global issue. The article mentioned that Spain and Greece are two heavily affected countries, through the Europe trip I first hand witnessed the depression in Greece. Many businesses are shut down and vacant. 

Tackling The Real Unemployment Rate: 12.6%

Tackling The Real Unemployment Rate: 12.6%

     The article discusses the obscurities that are skewing our views on American unemployment. A U.S. unemployment rate of 6.2% is currently being advertised, however this article shows that with all factors considered, the actual unemployment rate is closer to 12.6%. Saying that 6.2% of U.S. citizens are unemployed leaves out people who are considered "Marginally Attached," these are people who have not been working and have not looked for work in the past 4 weeks. This article states that there is currently 2.2 million marginally attached people who are not being accounted for in the unemployment rate. 7.5 million people who are working only few part time hours are also not being considered as unemployed, even though they have no full contributing occupation.  

     I think that the advertisement of a 6.2% unemployment rate is only hurting the American public. If people feel that unemployment is becoming less of an issue than it wont be battled. The lack of attention to unemployment would be a cause for it to be swept under the rug and go unnoticed yet the issue would still remain. 

New York City’s Unemployment Rate Fell to 6.8% in September

New York City’s Unemployment Rate Fell to 6.8% in September

   

     This article explains that New York City has the lowest unemployment rate since 2008. In September unemployment had fallen to 6.8%, just one month before it was 7.3%. This is showing a great improvement in the economy of NYC and the surrounding area. Since the start of the year the number of jobs in NYC has gone up 2.8%, or 95,000 jobs.
     It is good to see growth like this happening. Efforts to grow the economy have seemed to work by these numbers. The article also went on the say that there are hopes for the NYC unemployment to become lower and match the total unemployment for the state. 

A college kid's cure for unemployment

A college kid's cure for unemployment

     This article touches on something I never before gave much thought to. It said that contrary to what most people think, only 1% of government funding goes to foreign aid. Before reading this article I did not think much about how our foreign aid comes back to help our economy but this article made it clear. It said that if we add aid to countries in need it will boost our own economy by increasing the amount of trade with the needy countries. This has changed my view on our foreign investment.

     This article sheds light to the idea that investing in Africa would build a middle class. A larger middle class would mean more trade with African countries and in turn build our economy stronger. 

US shares and dollar jumps of job data

US shares and dollar jumps of job data

 

   On October 3rd the market did quite well, topping recent numbers. This is giving an optimistic look on the overall global economy. Some experts however don't see this as optimistically. They think it is more false hope than anything and won't end up making any real changes.

     I agree that the market always fluctuates and can create peaks of false hope so it isn't always a the best indication of a better future when the market gets better briefly. 

The Dollar Coin Isn't Worth A Plugged Nickel

The Dollar Coin Isn't Worth A Plugged Nickel

     This Forbes article discusses the option of more prominently introducing the dollar coin. The positives and negatives are weighed as to if a more used dollar coins would help or hurt. The article argues that having a print and a coin dollar will only increase costs and more tax payer dollars.

     I believe that both the print and coin in circulation together would not be beneficial. As we currently stand, the dollar coin is all but pointless because the print dollar is also being made. However if we were to only use dollar coins I think it would be better over time. We could follow the Euro in having paper money only above 5 units of currency. The Euro features 1 Euro coins, 2 Euro coins, and the smallest unit of currency is a 5 cent coin. At first there could be issues adapting to new currencies, however the benefits would help in the long run. This change in currency would mean that pennies would no longer need be manufactured, and 1 dollar coins would not get worn out as print dollars do. 

Steve Forbes: "You've Got To Get The Money Right," Steve Lonegan: "Fix The Dollar"

Forbes Article

     This article, taken from Forbes.com discusses the effects of the gold standard on the dollar. The article focuses on a campaign waged by Steve Forbes and Steve Lonegan which has a goal to reinstate the gold standard. They argue that before 1971 America was continuously prospering, but after the dollar went off the gold standard more economic struggles occurred. Since the dollar is no longer good as gold it is not a solid backed up currency and that is the basis of many problems.

     I agree with this article that the lack of a gold standard is not good for the economy. The country has been off the gold standard for 40 years and inflation has increased far more drastically since then in comparison to how it had increased on the gold standard. I think the country would be better off if it returned to a system where the currency was backed up by something tangible instead of currency being manipulated by the Federal Reserve.



The Federal Reserve's Explicit Goal: Devalue The Dollar 33%

Forbes Article



     This article was taken from Forbes.com and discusses the how the Federal Reserve manipulates the economy, often in a negative or inefficient way. The article critiqued the actions of the Fed harshly at times. The Fed can influence the economy greatly at times by flooding the market with funds in circulation. This makes it possible for people to spend more money in a attempt to boost the economy. People are able to spend more money because more money will be available to loan out from banks.
     It seems the Fed often gets over involved in its manipulations. Instead of giving slight help in the desired direction, manipulation is often pushed too far and end in failure. The Fed should decrease its involvement in the market and only step in when things are heading in the wrong direction.
     The goal the Fed tries to achieve in the short term in an increase in employment, the methods they use may prove results at the time but the Fed is decreasing the value of the dollar by 2% each year. 2% may not seem like much but over time the dollar will lose much of its worth.