For those who value apolitical conversation starters for seasonal parties, we offer a few notes on the Euro Zone “mess” which may go pyrotechnic within a few months.   The Substance:   Twenty-six European Union (EU) members voted to balance their nations’ fiscal budget within 0.5%, enforced by EU-imposed penalties.  Today, all but 3 countries [...]

Do you “spend” savings on projects that will create future prosperity for you and your family?   If you do, you are actually “investing.”   Most consumers and businesses invest; we upgrade houses or equipment and we buy financial assets.  We invest in mundane projects such as replacing a leaky roof, or in speculative projects such as [...]

Read Julie Patel’s article in the Sun-Sentinel here.

“Floridians Would Pay More to Shore-Up Cat Fund: Survey,” Insurance Journal, published December 6, 2011.

A statewide consumer survey conducted by the American Consumer Institute (ACI) finds that 70% of Floridians fear being assessed hundreds or thousands of dollars in hurricane taxes, because the state’s Catastrophe (CAT) Fund may run out of money to pay insurance claims.  The telephone survey of 805 consumers found 80% of Floridians did not want [...]

Are you concerned that you might have to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars in “hurricane taxes” to the state if Citizens or the Catastrophe Fund run out of money to pay its claims? Yes (70%) No (25%) DK/Refused (4%)   Do you support or oppose allowing the Catastrophe Fund to selling more insurance [...]

It’s hard to imagine a more transparent epistle than the one Sean Shaw sent to the Tallahassee Democrat. He was attempting to recast an op-ed from Steve Pociask with the American Consumer Institute which pointed to Shaw as being, well…transparent. Pociask alleged that trial lawyers, especially the former state Insurance Consumer Advocate, were manipulating the [...]

Euro Zone members are pointing fingers, lecturing on austerity and mugging for cameras by convening riots in the streets and gatherings of politicians.  U.S. consumers just want to hear the “prepare for the worst” commentary, as did Houseman:   And while the sun and moon endure Luck’s a chance, but trouble’s sure, I’d face it as [...]

As most anyone can see, federal spending has gotten out of control. As you read this, the so called “Super Committee” is looking for ways to cut billions from the federal budget in an attempt get spending under control and, hopefully, right the drifting ship that is our economy.  While most agree that Congress needs [...]

Congress has an urgent need to control Federal Deficit.  Earlier this year, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform identified the containment of government medical program costs as a major priority to controlling the Federal spending.  With the aging US population, the need to address ways to control medical costs is more important than [...]