The Science Revolution Start

                       

The scientific revolution had some emphasis, starting its advances with the French Revolution's end and the coming 19th century. Religious authority also had reduced, rigid control over science.

There were also individuals who had scientific training and viewpoints, who were able to tread into new fields that enlightened knowledge for progress. Isaac Newton, Edmund Halley, Daniel Bernoulli, Henry Cavendish, Joseph Priestley, James Watt, Antoine Lavoisier, and the inquisitive American Benjamin Franklin, all dating as far back as the early 1700s, started the trend.

Nevertheless, science in those days never expanded to where consumer needs were fully addressed as they could have been. No genuine, concerted effort was ever made by the powers-that-be to expand scientific knowledge, particularly with regard to health. (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

               

Our Medical History

                   

The U.S. medical picture was influenced in its past by British parentage. As a consequence, at the start of the 1800s in the U.S., fewer than 100 basic medicines existed.

Medical practice was centered on what had been for centuries the pillars of medicine, the four Humors, none scientific (black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood). “Vitalism”, incorporating body energy principles, and other pet theories of various universities around the world who had their pet convictions.

                   

Doctors were assisted by midwives who did more than deliver babies. However, the level of midwife non-medical knowledge was never advanced;. they were taught by family and other close acquaintances, rather than formal teaching institutions.

Blood-letting, cupping, poultices, sweating, along with “purges” were the then modernized versions of such century-old humor-related therapy. All of which apparently did not work well. (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

                   

Government Employee Budget Solution

                                       

I have written about problems of government paying over-market wages and pensions to public employees, amounts bankrupting government and taxpayers alike.

There is a solution. Publish wage and pension scales, along with fringe benefits of all unionized government workers. List only job description, for the public to see. Let voters know how private earnings and pensions compare to public earnings and benefits, that they, the tax-paying voters earn for comparable work.

                   

If there is to be open government, why hide major costs? Yet, this part of the budget is always hidden from voters. (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole at twitter.)

                   

Social Security Promises Amid Political Threats

                   

                   

Can Social Security checks be truly considered a government “pension” fund? Can a  Social Security check be delayed if Congress ever fails to increase the government's borrowing authority?

Social Security trustees reports say assets in Social Security's trust funds are ample. Therefore, no matter what Congress does about the debt limit, Social Security recipients are guaranteed their checks. Payments can still be made despite Congressional action.

                   

But note: There is no Social Security lock box; funds are used by government as received in Social Security taxes. So-called Social Security trust funds are actually IOUs, of no market value. (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole at twitter.)

Powerful Teachers’ Unions

The powerful teachers’ unions have a particular influence because they always have a good marketing ploy. Who wants to turn down funding when “it’s for the kids.”

But a good portion of that cost does not go to kids, it’s for teachers. And those costs can be budget-busting.

Yes, the public probably knows how much is spent per student. But how about salaries and pensions? For a part-time, nine months of actual total work?

The same holds for other government employees. Especially the ones who retire well before age 65, and are double dippers on grandiose pensions. (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

Firm Union Control of Governments

                   

In my recent report on federal, state and local government unionization I stated how total outlays for wages and pensions are about triple what they are for comparable private industry jobs,

I mentioned how these unions control government.

What, with their political contributions and the ability to close down government operations, along with their control of budgets because of their size.

                   

The problem will persist until politicians are no longer beholden to unions for funds and getting out the vote. When will that be?    (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole at Twitter.)               

Powerful Teacher Unions

The powerful teachers’ unions have a particular influence because they always have a good marketing ploy. Who wants to turn down funding when “it’s for the kids.”

But a good portion of that cost does not go to kids, it’s for teachers. And those costs can be budget-busting. Yes, the public probably knows how much is spent per student. But how about salaries and pensions? And fall for a part-time, nine months of actual total work?

I’m not picking on teachers. The same holds for other government employees. Especially the ones who retire well before age 65, and are double dippers on grandiose pensions. (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

10/24 Union Control of Government

               

                   

In my recent report on federal, state and local government unionization I stated how total outlays for wages and pensions are about triple what they are for comparable private industry jobs.

I mentioned how these unions control government.

What, with their political contributions and the ability to close down government operations, along with their control of budgets because of their size.

                   

The problem will persist until politicians are no longer beholden to unions for funds and getting out the vote. When will that be? (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole at Twitter.)

Art for Small Collectors

               

           

I have always suggested original prints in limited editions for small collectors, who are starting out as buyers of worthwhile art.

           

The art process ought to be original, such as lithography, and be supervised by the artist. It’s absolutely essential that the work be in limited quantities, and if done in modern times, be signed and numbered by the artist. I personally look for editions of no more than 50 signed and dated copies, in all.

           

I like conceptional art because it requires thought and ideas, as befits any attempt at creating a work of art.(See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole at Twitter.)

           

       

Takeovers by Corporations

                   

In many instances, corporate proxies may make it easier for hostile takeovers to be made. It is not always a given that making it easier to foster corporate takeovers, is in the best interests of all stockholders.

                       

The objectives of many of the takeover artists are often solely for quick, short-term profits. That may not be the long term interest of the corporation or most of its shareholders.

                       

Yet, much of the recent legislative pressure in Washington from the administration has been to accomplish this takeover  purpose.

                       

This does little for corporate democracy. It helps spcculators. (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole at Twitter.)

           

   

Lawyers, Politics and Business

           

Too many of our law makers in Washington and in state houses, are lawyers. It’s no small wonder; we have too many lawyers graduating college. They need something to do other than seek litigation briefs.

           

It helps explain why we have too little doctors, scientists and mathematicians, when you cannot cope with science or math, it’s far easier to become a lawyer. Years ago, you could become a lawyer without going to college. You took the bar exam after clerking in a law office.

                       

I believe too many lawyers in government have become a major problem. We need representatives who actually represent the people. They ought to come from different job experiences. Furthermore, politicking should not be a permanent career.

                       

I also strongly feel that we need small business men and women in Congress and in state houses. It would change the legislative outlook about taxes, business and everyday problems of the middle class as well as poor.(See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

                   

The Fed’s Conflict of Interest

           

The Federal Reserve has a conflict of interest in its very mandate. The Dodd-Frank regulation law has tilted the effect of the Fed in many ways, giving the executive branch of government much more influence on the Fed.

           

Despite the logic for the Fed’s independence, Congress always has wanted to impose influence. It has to an extent. Since 1978 the Fed has had to enforce the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act, known as Humphrey-Hawkins. That conflicts with the Fed’s stated currency/inflation activity.

           

The Humphrey-Hawkins Act enforcement creates an inflating bias; certainly not one of dollar stability. So there is always a conflict of interest. Remember, the Fed handles monetary policy. The president, through

           

the Treasury Department, is in control of fiscal policy. It’s difficult for the Fed to control outlandish spending by the government.(See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

Investor Moods and Sentiments

           

I have in the past discussed how moods are relatively long-lasting emotions; sentiments are shorter-term. Correspondingly,they can affect how stock market cycles react and can precipitate booms and busts in industry.

           

Therefore, our president, in the midst of a recession, should never make it a practice of singling out an industry, whether industrial, communications, banking, insurance or lender of any type, as a scapegoat, when he wants the economy to recover and produce jobs. (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

Protecting Trade Secrets

                   

The best and cheapest way to protect your trade secrets is to keep them under lock and key the best you can. Be sure your employees, customers or clients are not able to get at data that should not be made public. Of course, this is never simple.

                   

Also, it’s logical at the very onset, to use trade names and logos that are hard to duplicate. Example: A made-up name such as Kodak.

                   

The best and cheapest way to protect your trademarks, aside from registering them, is to actively use them in commerce. The laws are friendly only to those who fully employ the names, marks or logos they want protected. Even registration is not an outright guarantee.

                   

Stay out of courts if you possibly can, when you have disputes that concern trade secrets or trademarks. Those with the most money to litigate will win.

                   

Unfortunately, patent and trademark litigation contests often are not prime examples of prevailing justice. (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

               

           

       

Dollar/ Gold Relation

                   

From 1947 until 1967, when we had gold- dollar convertibility, unemployment averaged only 4.7%, with economic growth about 4% annually. Plus the fact inflation remained relatively low.

                   

In 1971, during the Nixon Administration, the Bretton Woods agreement set up a new system, including the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, part of the World Bank Group. The U.S. dollar became the world reserve currency for the member states.

                   

However, slower growth has ensued from that point, and gold today appears to be the preferred reserve of many countries. (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

   

Risky Dodd-Frank

                   

Risk was never overcome by regulation. The media can more fully explain this, if they tried to find facts out for themselves and report them.

                   

Example: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were risky semi-government agencies who were instrumental players in our sub-prime crisis. There was no lack of regulation. But that financial meltdown has resulted in even more regulation with the likes of Dodd-Frank around since 2010. (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)

Unelected Bureaucrats

                                                                   

Congress was not able to pass a Cap and Trade bill. The public realized the proposed legislation was a device for powerful government taxation. The measure was more a means for imposing taxes on industry and consumers, than it  was for environmental protection.

                   

So what does the Administration do, in its effort to help reduce emissions it claims the bill will reduce? Especially when global warming is not scientifically proven.

                   

It imposes controls through unelected bureaucrats in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (See the Earl J Weinreb NewsHole® comments and @BusinessNewshole tweets.)