by Henry Oliner | Apr 18, 2011 | Economics, Politics
“Perhaps the most fertile source of misunderstandings about incomes has been the widespread practice of confusing statistical categories with flesh-and-blood human beings. Many statements have been made in the media and in academia, claiming that the rich are...
by Henry Oliner | Jan 28, 2011 | Business, Economics, Politics
Ever since Michael Douglas’s character Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street declared “Greed is Good” capitalism has been cast in a sinister role that it has yet to overcome. The movie speech was rumored to be taken from a speech given by Ivan Boesky at a college...
by Henry Oliner | Sep 1, 2010 | Business, Economics, Economy, Foreign policy, Israel, Politics, Random
We mortals pride ourselves as rational beings, but we act emotionally. We get attached to previous positions, and will discount or filter evidence rather than change our minds. We read the news for confirmation rather than information. We are so inundated with...
by Henry Oliner | Aug 15, 2010 | Economics
In a world of uncertainty it is more important to know the odds than to know the facts. In a business bet, if you have a thirty percent chance of winning one hundred dollars or a seventy percent chance of winning forty dollars (with return of principal guaranteed) the...
by Henry Oliner | Jul 30, 2010 | Politics
In the wake of the elections of November 3, 2008 we noted the dramatic swing of the independent voter. Who are these voters and why do they refuse to ally themselves with one of the two major parties? I confess up front that this is my sense and perception and I do...
