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Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Ray Dalio: “Know What You Don’t Know”

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 25th, 2011 9:24 AM |

Ray Dalio occupies a very special place in the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame.

Dalio is widely regarded as running the most successful money management operation in the world today, that being Bridgewater Associates.

While I certainly admire Dalio’s financial acumen, I most appreciate Dalio’s philosophical approach to the markets and the world as a whole. Our country would be in a far better position if we were able to get the political crowds in Washington and our state capitols to listen to and embrace Dalio’s approach and his perpetual pursuit of the truth.

Dalio was recently interviewed by Charlie Rose. While the interview runs for 37 minutes, the wisdom Dalio shares lasts a lot longer than that. What does Dalio highlight?  (more…)

When Will the EU Be Honest with Itself?

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 24th, 2011 8:23 AM |

What does the future hold for the economies within the European Union and by extension the global economic landscape?

I have not written much about the situation within the EU over the last few months for the very simple reason that I have no trust or confidence in the parties involved. Do you?

Over the last few years we have witnessed various and sundry charades by private and public European entities to determine a path forward.

What has been a consistent theme within the charades played out on market participants?  (more…)

Forbes’ Emily Lambert Slams FINRA

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 21st, 2011 7:00 AM |

“Justice is truth in action.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Regular readers are very aware of my strong concerns about the lack of transparency emanating from Wall Street’s self-regulatory organization FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). Having first written about FINRA in January 2009, I have highlighted my concerns extensively over the better part of the last three years. (To reference my writing, go here, Sense on Cents/FINRA).

For a period of time, I thought I was shouting into the darkness regarding FINRA. I still maintain that FINRA specifically and Wall Street regulation as a whole remain great unknowns to an overwhelming percentage of our population including those involved in the markets. To this end, I am heartened when broadly distributed public periodicals address concerns I have held about FINRA for the last few years.

The widely respected financial magazine Forbes weighs in on FINRA just yesterday.  (more…)

My Visit to ‘Occupy Wall Street’

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 20th, 2011 1:55 PM |

Should the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street merge as I have proposed over the last few days? What are the chances that might happen?

Well, after my visit to the Occupy Wall Street demonstration in lower Manhattan yesterday I would think there are two chances of a merger between these two entities. None and even less than that.

Why so harsh in my assessment? (more…)

Let’s Merge the Tea Party and OWS: Part II

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 18th, 2011 5:11 PM |

Should the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street try to join forces under the auspices that they have much more in common from a macro standpoint than what may differentiate them from a micro standpoint?

I would love to see these movements join together. I think a merger of these forces could lead to the third party our country so badly needs.

Comments left on my post yesterday, Let’s Merge the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, covered a wide scope of thoughts and opinions.  I appreciated the range of views and personal experience with OWS shared by readers.  I understand that a merged entity would certainly not fit easily into any sort of politically defined group as we have come to expect.

Isn’t that the point? Haven’t we allowed ourselves to be defined by the media and the political establishment? Isn’t it time that those who aspire for an unfiltered access to the truth turn the tables on the power bases in Washington, New York, and elsewhere? (more…)

Let’s Merge the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 17th, 2011 8:58 AM |

There is strength in numbers, right? No doubt.

There is also strength in scale, strong organization, defining one’s place in the market and then accentuating all of the above.

Thanks to a loyal reader whose recent comment prompted me to think of how and why a merger of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements should occur.

Why do mergers work? In my opinion, successful mergers accomplish the following:
1. Define a need and opportunity within the marketplace.

2. Develop a unified vision in joining forces which looks for far reaching and grand common goals.

3. Agree to make the shared sacrifice which marginalizes those inside and outside the individual units which would prefer the status quo or a variation thereof.

4. Realize that prior to winning future battles, nothing can and will be accomplished unless there is an acceptance and agreement on the points above.

Against this backdrop, why do I think those involved in both the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements should merge?  (more…)

Recommended Weekend Reading: WSJ Interview with Mort Zuckerman

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 16th, 2011 11:29 AM |

Mort Zuckerman is the Chairman of the Board of Boston Properties.  I have heard many a man in such a position equivocate when commenting on the economy, markets, and the political dynamic.

Equivocate? Yes, as in “talking one’s position” or being excessively political. I certainly would not characterize Zuckerman in such a fashion.  (more…)

Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 is a Good Start

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 14th, 2011 10:50 AM |

Why is it that people always find it easy to shoot holes in other people’s plans while not providing any outlines of their own? Time and again I witness that reality at play in business, politics, and almost every other pursuit.

To this end, I commend Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain for at least presenting a plan which might serve as a blueprint for simplifying a tax code which is badly in need of reform.

Whether the plan is 9-9-9 or 10-10-10 or 11-11-11, I appreciate the concept of Cain’s thinking for a few reasons. There is no doubt that it will widen the tax base. By requiring everybody to have some skin in the game, Americans broadly speaking should become more engaged in how our political system and government works. This development has got to be a good thing.  (more…)

Newt Gingrich Talks Sense on Cents

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 12th, 2011 8:33 AM |

Say what you want about Newt Gingrich but I would challenge anybody who thinks Newt is not an exceptionally intelligent individual. I am not here promoting Newt’s candidacy for the Republican nomination. I am also not an apologist for Newt’s past personal transgressions.

While I can understand and respect that many people may differ with Newt politically, in this political season I have often witnessed Newt taking on the media and other individuals and groups in a manner consistent with the virtues espoused by Sense on Cents.

I thank the reader who left a comment and a link from last night’s Presidential debate which highlights Newt’s pursuit of transparency. I do welcome promoting this clip and appreciate the aggressive posture Newt takes in the process. The pursuit of truth, transparency, and integrity is never easy when there are enormous forces working in the opposite fashion. On that note, let’s “keep punchin’“,

EB

Larry, I’m not a great Newt fan, but he sometimes makes excellent points, and this is consonant with your post,  (more…)

What Should ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Demand?

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 11th, 2011 9:44 AM |

I received a call yesterday from a reporter from a highly regarded periodical inquiring about my recent commentary, ‘Occupy Wall Street’ Should ‘Occupy Washington’.

Having had a number of previous discussions with this reporter, I welcomed her question as to what I thought the OWS movement should look to achieve or demand.

I prefaced my comments by stating that I hope civil unrest and random violence do not come from these demonstrations. America needs a lot of things but we certainly do not need riots. (more…)






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