Ignorance is a Blessing?

“Speculators often prosper through ignorance; it is a cliché that in roaring bull market knowledge is superfluous and experiences are a handicap. But the typical experience of the speculator is one of temporary profit and ultimate loss.” Lance Roberts

Obama Refers to "Obamacare as a Starter Home." I Believe it is a "Train Wreck."

Medical Pricing Scam

Why does a "MRI" scan cost approximately $2,000 in the United States?  We are told they are expensive because of the technology cost to manufacture these machines, cost of doctors, and trained radiologists to read the images.  First, technology drives down the cost of production.  Think in terms off what you can purchase a TV and/or computer today from five or ten years ago.  Second, Japan manufactures MRIs, has doctors, and radiologists. In Japan, you can walk into a clinic and get your MRI scan done for approximately $150 in cash.  According to my math, that is a cost savings of 92.5%.  But, we are told that the $2,000 is reasonable and necessary.  In other words, we are fed a bunch of "BS," and, like sheep, we believe this crap.  Have you ever driven by your local hospital and noticed all the new construction and wondered how it can finance these structures?  Now, you know. And, the MRI cost in the United States is just the "tip-of-the-iceberg." Just think of all the services that the medical profession provides and the tremendous mark-up of those services.  If you want to true health care reform, you should be demanded that Congress look at these outrageous pricing practices. 

The "REAL" Federal Deficit for Fiscal 2016

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, our government states the federal deficit was $590 billion.  That is, of course, the federal government spent $590 billion more than it took in for the fiscal year. By all accounts, the amount of tax revenue taken in by the federal government was a record. Our government simply cannot live within its “financial means.”  But wait, the federal deficit was a whole lot worse than the reported $590 billion.  Why?  Simply take a look at the total national debt on September 30, 2016 and compared it to September 30, 2015.  On September 30, 2016, the total national debt was $19,573,444,713,936. On September 2015, the total national debt was $18,150,617,666,484.  The difference of $1,422 trillion is the “REAL FEDERAL DEFICIT,” not the $590 billion.