Why is the School System in Trouble?

by Lawrence Wilson MD

Two prominent economists were recently asked what is the greatest challenge facing America. Both agreed it is not the budget deficit or health care, but the decline of the American public school system. Costs are higher and academic performance lower than most other industrialized nations. Also, dropout rates in some areas reach 20-30%. I will divide the discussion of our schools into three parts: 1) outside influences, 2) philosophies and methods, and 3) an inflexible structure.

More on this story at

http://schoolsystemintrouble.blogspot.com/

Existing Home Sales And "True" Measure of Market-- Hearst Mansion

by Diana Olick

Feb, 25th, the Realtors tried to argue that the housing market is “scratching the bottom,” or at least that’s what their chief economist Lawrence Yun said. Sorry Lawrence, as usual, I don’t buy it. Sure, sales were basically flat in January, down just 0.4 percent from December (although down 23.4 percent from a year ago), but far more telling of the market is the price and inventory numbers. Inventories continue to go up, now to a 10.3-month supply, which is, on a month’s supply basis, over 50 percent higher than a year ago. Prices are still down nationwide, and I got an interesting admission from the Realtors on that one today as well.

More on this story at http://truemarketindicator.blogspot.com/

Bernanke Signals Rate Cut: Gives Sluggish Outlook

Feb 27th, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress that the nation is in for a period of sluggish business growth and sent a fresh signal Wednesday that interest rates will again be lowered to steady the teetering economy.

"The economic situation has become distinctly less favorable" since the summer, the Fed chief told the House Financial Services Committee.

More of this story at http://bernankeratecut.blogspot.com/

Greed and Haphazardness: The Truth About The Mortgage Crisis

by G.W.Lawrence

Greed and haphazardness explains it all. That’s it in a nutshell. Experts throughout the US are pointing the finger at haphazard homebuyers who leaped before they looked and the greedy mortgage professionals who were so busy counting their commissions they forgot who their clients were.

You could reverse this if you like. You can say greedy homebuyers who wanted their first home to be a fantasy home and haphazard mortgage professionals who did not take the time to plan the home buying success of their clients.

Either way, greed and haphazardness still explains it all, even when it comes to the whole story.

You see the whole story does not stop with the homebuyer and the mortgage professional. As they say in the movies, “follow the money”. Or maybe in this case, follow the money lost. Tracking this will take you straight to the top.

More on this Story at

http://greedandhaphazardness.blogspot.com/

Where do you see yourself and the world in 2020?

With global economics spreading across the hemisphere, the idea of a North American Union knocking on our borders, the uncertainty of the Iraq war, and China/India/Brazil's fast growing economics, where do you see the USA's position in the world in 2020?

Where do you see yourself in 2020?