September 3, 2010:  Many of you, like myself, are investors in the stock market.  No person knows exactly where the market is headed, but the Death Cross is still alive and well.  (For a definition of the Death Cross please go to http://bit.ly/dm6U1M .)  The key level on the S&P 500 stock index to watch is 1040.  As of this posting, the market is above this level.  If it should fall precipitiously below this level, then the direction of the stock market is strongly down.  The next support level for the S&P 500 would be at approximately 950.  Keep an eye on the 1040 level.  The stock...

How is wealth created in any society? You talk to a thousand economists and you will get a thousand different answers. The question I ask is all-encompassing in that it pertains to all societies in any time frame–whether 2,000 years ago, today, or 2,000 years in the future. There are only FIVE generators of wealth in any society. These five are: 1. Fishing 2. Mining 3 Agriculture 4. Manufacturing 5. Construction. That is the list. Have you noticed what is missing? What is missing is the service industry. The service industry in and of itself is not a wealth producer. It is to be of service to one...

Hello, I can not in all honesty tell you how to solve each and every problem you have. But, I can tell you this that NO problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. I wish I can take credit for this observation, but the credit is due to Albert Einstein. In other words, what he is saying is that no problem (personal or professional) can be solved within the paradigm or model it was created inside of. You will have to reach outside of the proverbial box to come up with a solution to solve or, at least, manage the problem. This takes a creative imagination. Be...

Hello, In the popular media December 21,2012 is portrayed as the terminus date of the human race as we know it. Since this is widely broadcasted in the media, it, most likely, will not happen in the expected manner. What could happen is the unexpected and unthinkable. The year 2012 may not be the end of the Earth or even mankind—but it could be the end of our constitutional economic/political system. Why? By the year 2012, with the U.S. Federal Government rapidly increasing its total debt, we will have a debt to GDP ratio of over 100%. The interest on this debt will be staggering and...

Our reality is based on what we perceive. The filter of our perception is the many myths or misconceptions that we have assumed to be true or false over the course of our lives. These “myths” have a strong influence on how we orient our behavior and actions both personally and professionally. Unfortunately, many individuals have been lulled into inside-the-BOX thinking and accepting these myths as true when in fact they may be false or partially true. I wrote the book, The Thirteen Great Economic/Business Myths That Dominate Our Lives , to give individuals a different and unique...

These Precepts are dedicated to those independent thinkers who do not wish to follow the herd. Forward About the Seven Precepts The Seven Precepts were developed to give people a different and realistic view on life and events—devoid of popular myths and seductive illusions. They are based in part on my 30 years of experience as an economic/business author and speaker. The precepts are based on the classical definition of economics—the study of human behavior in its historical setting. In other words, economics is psychology. These precepts are unique in that they are the result of combining the...

In our thought processes let us venture outside-the-box. Of course, one could make the valid point that most of my postings are a little outside the proverbial box. There is an old Greek saying that rings so true today. It is—for whom the Gods will destroy they first make overconfident. There is a subtle difference between being confident and being overconfident. When you are confident in designing your plans or strategies, you have a belief in yourself and your abilities. But, as a mortal, you recognize that there is a possibility of failure—even if no fault of your own. You have done...

The purpose of life is to grow and prosper within the rule of law and the bounds of morality.  Among human beings, the notions of growing and prospering are subjective, that is, they are individually conceived. If prospering to you means sitting on a mountaintop pondering your existence, so be it. On the other hand, you may wish to grow and prosper and add to the wealth of your society by opening up a legitimate business enterprise.  The latter is more preferable than the former because it adds to the wealth and well being of society. The above paragraph begins with the phrase “the purpose of...

In life’s turbulent journey there are many paths one can take in both the secular and spiritual planes. Especially in the spiritual sphere, numerous groups believe that if you don’t travel down their narrowly focused path you are either going to a place that is very hot or cold. (I haven’t figured out which one Hell is. It could be both–an upper Hell and a lower Hell.) In life’s journey all paths (spiritual or secular) are EQUAL as long as they meet these TWO conditions: 1. They are within the Rule of Law 2. They are within the bounds of morality. It is that simple....

Humans are complex creatures.  Of this, there is very little argument about.  Unfortunately, complexity in all its different shades is difficult to dissect and understand.  This same holds true in understanding basic human behavior. Therefore, to understand what motivates human behavior you must reduce this behavior to a simple and understandable basic rule.  The simple law that explains human behavior is—people act and do what they perceive to be in their own best interests.  The key word is “perception”.    All movement in the course of life is turbulent and, therefore, unpredictable. ...