Congress Hearings

I have watched segments of the media coverage of the congressional hearings (Bank CEO's and Auto makers recently)and found them to be really a show that they put on for the American people assuming that people are stupid. I have found them to ask any intelligent questions that pertain to their business, instead focusing on petty things like corporate jet and throwing abuses at the people on the other end. Here is a link to a funny Dilbert piece.

Some questions that I would like to ask anyone who is willing to listen.

- I have heard Rick Wagoner of GM boasting about his company working 10 hybrid models that would be ready for rollout in the next few year. Why in the hell would you work on 10 at the same time when they do not even have 1 hybrid that people really want?
- I hear Congressman telling Banks to lend the money they received from TARP. How in the hell are they even keeping track of it? if the Bank executive said they are doing that, congress will believe it?
- What is the measure of credit flowing again? It's certainly not interest rates or LIBOR (since there is no volume info with LIBOR)
- Why does not anyone like falling real estate prices. I did not hear anyone including congress complain when they were rising.
- Who is holding congress accountable? theoritically it is the people - At this time, I don't see anyone holding them accountable for their actions
- Why is congress complaining about TARP oversight? They passed the bill without oversight requirement, what are they bitching about?
- Why is Nancy Pelosi always flashing her irritating smile of accomplishment? Does anyone know what she has accomplished other than becoming the speaker of the house?

There are a lot more if someone wants to listen :)

Self sufficient living

Is there something like self sufficient living? My definition of self sufficient would be living without any dependency for food, shelter and energy.

There are a few books on self sufficient living, not sure if they are purely theoritical or practical. Here are some books on the topic self sufficiency on Amaozn

I don't believe self sufficiency is a topic that attracts a lot of people's attention as most people are either happy being part of the corporate world or too afraid to lose the perceived security of the corporate world. May be the current recession will may people rethink? if that happens I would think it is a good thing and we would probably see a hue drop in personal consumption and a surge in wellness.

My dream has always been to live on a farm being semi self sufficient, that dream seems miles away at this time considering the runup in prices for farm land.

Investment ideas in the new economy

It has been a while since I posted anything on the blog. I have thinking about how to play the new economic situation and have some thoughts on asset allocation. The fundamental assumption is that the economy will not recover until the end of 2010 and the risk of devaluation of the dollar is high. My first take of asset allocation is below

- Gold and Foreign Currency - 20%
- Domestic Stocks (that you are willing to hold until 2015) - 25%
- Foreign stocks (weighted more towards stabler emerging markets) - 25%
- $$$ - 20%
- Alternate investments - 10% (this could include real estate, private equity, etc.)