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Congress, looking for sources of revenue, happened upon an extraordinary loophole enjoyed by the extraordinarily rich private equity and hedge fund managers, effectively allowing these managers to pay taxes on their earnings at a 15% rate. Pretty nice for people making hundreds of millions a year. While this looks like a simple fix, long overdue, there isn’t much support for it in Congress – on either side of the aisle!

The markets here, abroad, and far abroad are on fire. The good times are here, and we can all participate. Just jump in, buy any stock, and your dreams will be fulfilled. Ask anyone. And, if you don’t ask, they will tell you anyway. The time is here when the clerk at Target, the gym coach at school, the aunt in Cleveland are all passing on tips too good to ignore. It is the time when you say “I can’t stand it any longer,� and jump in. Yesterday, the case was made even more compelling when Ben Stein, sitting comfortably in Frankfurt, Germany offered his list of must-have stocks and opined that “… in 10 years, you’ll regret it if you don’t buy in July 2007.�

Many individuals I've spoken with think that options are risky financial instruments. Depending on how they are used, they can be risky. But they can also be a wonderful way to control risk and profit in various kinds of market conditions. Here's some insight into the how and why. I look forward to your comments.

Three of the attempted suicide bombers from the recent Glasgow and London events were doctors.

Municipal bonds are now offering extremely attractive short term interest, beating out comparable Treasuries. They are a great source of tax free income. This is new and may not last very long.

At your July 4 party, ask why most American colonial paper currency made reference to its valuation in Spanish pesos.

Assessment from a New IPhone owner.

I have been silently calculating my financial health by including the money (even though it isn't much) my parents will be leaving me when they die. I know it is an unseemly thought, but face it -- many of us do this. It is certainly not something one talks about, but it is also stupid.

It is hard to think of investing these days without looking abroad for some part of your investments. And, the one place that seems absolutely hot is China. Of course, it is risky too, what with all the manufacturing issues recently. But, it is just bursting with growth and opportunity. I have found one holding that has worked for me. It's an ETF (exchange traded fund) on the New York Stock Exchange.

I heard on the news today that Michael Moore is encouraging people and funds to sell all of their health insurance stocks

Genentech- DNA- has been the cream of the biotech crop for many years. They developed TPA long ago, and more recently have had a string of very successful chemo drugs. Their stock is now sinking and will likely go much lower.

The responses to my previous post - Michael Moore and Me - have been very troubling to me for many reasons. I will try to respond to some of these issues here.

Facebook Apps look like a waste of time and resources to me. Working with the community makes sense, spending lots of resources to develop an app for the community, doesn't. Here are the reasons why.

The iPhone doesn't change the playing field. It is all hype and should be sold together with a baseball hat so that those who buy it can get the attention that they seek when they are not using it.

Here is my satirical analysis of why the stock market beats a casino.