Money

Why do we have licensing? The idea is that those involved in an industry are held to certain standards by requiring a license, and so this protects the consumer. It may even work in some cases - but that is not the motivation.

The study---the most recent available analysis of long-term wealth trends among U.S. households---is based on data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, conducted by the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR) since 1968.

America is a free nation. Each individual can earn as much money as his or her ability and effort permit. This results in income inequality because different individuals in different professions and jobs with different skills, abilities and work ethics create different amounts of wealth. Such differences are a good thing.

Though eBay has changed its policies to prohibit the auction of firearm parts such as barrels, magazines and trigger assemblies thousands of gun part auctions will continue to take place on GunBroker.com, the Web's largest hunting and sport shooting auction site.

Most of we Internet business folks like losing money on the Internet. If we didn't lose money all the time, we would be out of business. Yes, over ninety percent of we Internet business folk-lose money. It's just part of our business and we can't expect others- like our wives-to understand that.

At a recent hearing of the House Financial Services Committee, Chairman Barney Frank lectured Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke at length about income inequality before saying, “I apologize. You haven’t given your opening statement yet. If this had been my first hearing, I could explain that mistake a little bit easier. No good explanation comes to mind.”

Until recently Zheng Xiaou was head of the State Food and Drugs Administration for China. He was arrested in May, and charged with being responsible for the sale of six different medicines manufactured in China. These same six medicines were fakes. The sales took place during Zheng's six years as the head of the department.

Chef's wages vary considerably. Wolfgang Puck's 12 restaurants brought in $12.2 million last year, The Food Channel's Emeril Lagasse made $7 million, and the "enfant terrible of French cooking" Jean-Georges Vongerichten went home with $3 million.

The Office of Management Labor Standards Has Been Instrumental in the return of $70 million to union members. Democrats, to everyone's amazement, have now found a government program they want to cut. Guess which one. Yes, that same one that looks out for members' dues.

The House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Tuesday heard from economists who agreed the weakening dollar is likely to decline further.

A message of hope and of warning to homeowners who are wishing for a free handout from the government to solve their credit problems and reduce the danger of facing foreclosure. The same powerful private interests that created the housing bubble are the only ones promising help even as another bubble is being engineered. Change and improvement can come rapidly, but not from the highest places most alienated from homeowners.

When I was a pharmaceutical drug sales representative, I remember that one of the doctors I called on had asked me how much money drug representatives make. When I told him the different salary ranges, he was very surprised, especially with what the high performers can make in this field.

In late April 2007, The Social Security Administration Trustees issued their annual report. Big government advocates have been downplaying the need for serious change especially referring to the "Trust Fund." Don't trust the "Trust Fund." Those who care about a solution would be wise to place reality above partisanship.

Since the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, federal tax receipts have risen above the average of the last forty years. Job growth and worker gains have continued upward through March 2007. Democrats have passed a budget resolution that would let the tax cuts expire in 2010. This will be reckless with the jobs and well being of millions of workers.

In reality, a credit in the tax code is a credit against taxes paid. In Washington D C speak, a welfare payment becomes a credit. This euphemism the Earned Income Tax Credit has an almost melodic quality about it.