Previously last week Bret posted about how Japan is on the verge of a recession.  In this more recent article from wsj, it suggests what America and the UK have done right after crisis compared to Japan and Europe.  The article suggests measures that have poised the US and also those that have damaged Japan and headed them into recession.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/what-big-economies-got-right-or-wrong-after-crisis-1416786759

More, but Different, E-Book Antitrust Issues

This case with Apple, seems to be the opposite of the Amazon case. Apple was founding guilty of colluding with publishers to fix e-book prices. 

“The suit accused Apple of being a ‘ringmaster’ of a conspiracy with the five major publishers to raise the average price of e-books from the $9.99 price that Amazon had made standard for new e-book releases. Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins and the Hachette Book Group settled the day the case was filed; Penguin and Macmillan settled months later.”

Thoughts on this case? And its contrast/overlap with the Amazon and Hachette one?

Read more here: NYT- Settlement in Apple Case Over E-Books Is Approved

Obama's Immigration Speech

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/transcript-obamas-immigration-speech/2014/11/20/14ba8042-7117-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html For any that didn't see this... at least as the president frames it, it doesn't seem like his measures are that drastic, increased border security, and allowances for very specific immigrants to become citizens. I can't help but think that a broader (legislative) reform will be needed to "fix" the system.

Encrypting on Smartphones

I find this issue really fascinating. What are the consequences of encrypting phones so that even public safety officials cannot decrypt them? Will this ultimately make us less safe by allowing burglars and/or "terrorists" to hide their communication? Or will this instead make us more safe from the government looking to spy on its citizenry? Two very interesting points to this argument. Where do you stand?

http://online.wsj.com/articles/apple-and-others-encrypt-phones-fueling-government-standoff-1416367801?KEYWORDS=apple+other+encrypt+phones

Japan On Verge of Recession

http://online.wsj.com/articles/abe-adviser-calls-for-more-economic-stimulus-for-japan-1416242064?KEYWORDS=Japan+Scrambles+to+Rescue+Economy

What do you think?? This would be a macroeconomic policy argument.. is more spending or prudence needed? It seems strange to me that the sales tax is being raised. 

National Guard Called into Ferguson

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/us/missouri-governor-calls-out-national-guard-ahead-of-grand-jury-decision.html?_r=0

What do you think? Preemptive or just precautionary? Could this make the potential conflict following the grand jury's decision worse?

FCC looks to increase funding for schools' internet access

This article in the New York Times this morning says that FCC chairman Tom Wheeler is proposing to increase school spending on internet access from 1.5 to 3.9 billion.
After reading the article, do you think this should or should not be a primary concern as far as school funding goes?
Some important points to keep in mind are:
1) This funding will be used for nonrecurring infrastructure updates as well as increased monthly payments for service
2) Spending increases by the FCC will have an (arguably modest) increase in average consumer prices for internet service
3) Connectivity in schools ranges from poor to advanced correlating to the affluence of the school district

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/business/fcc-chief-aims-to-bolster-internet-for-schools.html?action=click&contentCollection=Business%20Day&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=article

Healthcare.gov launches second enrollment effort with success

Following last year's difficult experiences consumers faced with the website, Healthcare.gov reopened on Saturday to launch its second enrollment effort under the ACA.  Within 8 hours of opening the new site, 20,000 applications for 2015 coverage had been completed.  I liked this article's incorporation of charts and graphs that illustrate state-by-state situations in terms of insurance, enrollment, a penalty calculator, and federal government or state run for exchanges.  Despite some opponent views this article brings up, it seems that the majority of people in this article feel positive about healthcare.gov and the coming 2015 year for the ACA.  Besides any comments you may have, do you think this is a step in the right direction?  I do.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/healthcare-gov-opens-for-second-year-of-enrollments-1416072238?mod=WSJ_hppMIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

This chart reminds me of Marxian theory

Corporate Profit Margins vs. Wages in One Disturbing Chart | naked capitalism

The Latest in the Amazon Market Power Debate

A settlement has been reached between Hachette and Amazon, in which both sides claim to be happy with the results. While this may be true, is it efficient for a company that has monopsony issues with Amazon to settle disputes individually? What about for smaller companies who have fewer resources to fight Amazon? Will this settlement prevent Amazon from abusing its monopsony power in the future? What else can/should be done? 

“I’m relieved that Amazon and Hachette reached an agreement,” Mr. Preston said. But, he added: “If anyone thinks this is over, they are deluding themselves. Amazon covets market share the way Napoleon coveted territory.”

Amazon and Hachette Resolve Dispute - NYT 

Corporate Tax Breaks Do Not Increase The Amount Of Tax You Must Pay

Here is a good article on tax incidence:



Corporate Tax Breaks Do Not Increase The Amount Of Tax You Must Pay

Big banks face fines for collusion

Apparently some traders in big banks are manipulating foreign exchange rate markets and making enormous profits. They are communicating in chatrooms with 'codes' and team names for the secret groups of three or more traders. Collectively $4.25 billion in fines have been assigned to the various companies, a relatively small amount when compared to the roughly $5 trillion traded in world currency markets every day. Various regulators are using the chatroom transcripts as evidence in their prosecution which will likely begin next year. Is fining capital-rich industries like big banks enough to keep this type of collusion out of the financial markets? What would you suggest for regulators to do to keep this behavior to a minimum?

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/british-and-u-s-regulators-fine-big-banks-3-16-billion-in-foreign-exchange-scandal/?ref=us&_r=0

Even John, the Monopoly King, didn't go this far..........

Crimea Nationalizes the Means of Bread Production | Business | The Moscow Times

More on net neutrality...

In class we talked about net neutrality, Obama's speech regarding it, and his views on how internet should be reconsidered as utility and equal and fair for all.  This article describes the aftermath of Obama's speech regarding broadband regulation, particularly in showing and describing falling share prices as a result.  This article does not seem to be in favor of net neutrality.

Following everything on the topic from yesterday, does this recent article showing one view of how Obama's speech was taken change your opinion at all?  Is net neutrality bad for investors and would it set the stage for increased regulation that could make the Comcast and Time Warner merger less lucrative? Or, is this just one side of the coin and you still believe net neutrality is the right, good, and fair thing?  If anything, feel free to comment on your own opinion of the topic since it is an interesting one.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/investors-in-cable-deal-fret-over-talk-of-broadband-regulation-1415662986?KEYWORDS=regulation

Modern day poll taxes

Photo ID's cost money.  And they are now required in many states in order to vote.


 The days of Jim Crow are officially over, but poll-tax equivalents are
newly thriving, through restrictive voter registration and ID
requirements, shorter poll hours and various other restrictions and red
tape that cost Americans time and money if they wish to cast a ballot.
As one study by a Harvard Law School
researcher found, the price for obtaining a legally recognized voter
identification card can range from $75 to $175, when you include the
costs associated with documentation, travel and waiting time. (For
context, the actual poll tax that the Supreme Court struck down in 1966 was just $1.50, or about $11 in today’s dollars.)





Catherine Rampell: Voter suppression laws are already deciding elections - The Washington Post

Iconic Photo Will Define The 21st Century

This is considered as one of the 75 Iconic Photos Will Define The 21st Century.

Three young women from the New York Fashion Week pose next to a homeless man. [2012]

 What is happening here? Are we living in a show-off society where the elites are given too much privilege that they are careless about other people?
My first reaction to the picture was how and why these three young women could post a picture next to a homeless man? I could never do that, it was so wrong.
What is your opinion about this photo? Do you think it is powerful enough to be considered as "Iconic Photo Will Define The 21st Century"?
  
Read more: http://news.distractify.com/mark-pygas/pictures-taken-in-past-10-years/?v=1
 

Xi Jinping: 'China's Business Opportunities Are Lasting And Limitless'

Despite the signs of downturn in China’s manufacturing and industrial sector and China's economy, President Xi Jinping told global business leaders on Sunday to dispel worries about the world's second-largest economy. "Some people worry that China's economic growth will fall further, can it climb over the ridge?" Xi said. "There are indeed risks, but it's not so scary." He also addressed that "China's development brings enormous opportunities and benefits to the Asia Pacific and the world, and the business opportunities are lasting and limitless."

Do you agree with his statement? Do you think President  Xi Jinping is too over-confident that there is nothing to worry about the risks faced by China's economy?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/r-china-president-says-risks-to-economy-not-that-scary-2014-11#ixzz3IdVZufHv

Regulation in the cable industry

From the New York Times (see here for article) about the proposed merger of Comcast and Time Warner:



Investor concerns focus mainly on the Internet side of cable operations. They include these questions: Will the Federal Communications Commission
act to ensure an open Internet — also known as net neutrality — and
competitive and reasonably priced choices for consumers, in ways that
might impair cable company profitability? Will federal agencies block
the merger outright, or impose conditions that might make it
economically unattractive? And if the merger does not take place,
auguring a tougher regulatory climate, are the two companies,
particularly Time Warner Cable, appropriately priced?



The merger will create higher prices for consumers and less choice.  But the article is fairly neutral on these issues.

I Walked Into Abercrombie And Saw Everything That's Wrong With The Brand

Abercrombie & Fitch's sales are in a downward spiral. How could  once-leading teen retailer  struggle to compete with fast-fashion brands like Forever 21 and H&M? With the new strategy includes scaling back on logos and spraying less of its Fierce cologne in its stores, Abercrombie still continues to struggle.

What clothing stores would you choose to shop among Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and Forever 21? What is your suggestion for Abercrombie & Fitch to improve their sales?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-store-photos-and-problems-2014-11#ixzz3IRDFTbnd

Apple iPhone and iPad 'Banned in Russia' from 2015

For anyone who is a big fan of Apple in Russia, this would be a very disappointing new.

Russia is set to ban the Apple iPhone and iPad from next year as a result of a new law that forces online services operating in the country to store their data locally, according to a report. 

The law, which comes into effect on 1January 2015, will affect any device that makes use of Apple's US-based iCloud servers. "The internet ombudsman Dmitry Marinichev believes that Apple will not have enough time to move all the data storage to Russian territory by 2015," the report states.

Furthermore, after Tim Cook comes out with his honesty, Russia removes Steve Job monument in St.Petersburg. In a statement from ZEFS (Western European Financial Union),  "After Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly called for sodomy, the monument was taken down to abide to the Russian federal law protecting children from information promoting denial of traditional family values."

Do you think Russia's ban on Apple's iPhone and iPad would hurt the corporates' sales? The crisis in Ukraine already damaged relations between Washington and Moscow, do you think this ban would have an effect on that damaged relations? Do you think this ban is one of the examples for Obama administration's foreign policy failure?

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/apple-iphone-ipad-banned-russia-2015-1473236

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/steve-jobs-iphone-memorial-dismantled-st-petersburg-after-apples-tim-cook-makes-gay-revelation-1472912

Privitizing regulation

Many multinational companies now require their suppliers comply
with global standards ranging from safety to labor conditions to
minimum wage levels. Such requirements are not required by local law.
Indeed, they usually dramatically exceed local practice. These rules and
regulations have the same practical impact as traditional governmental
regulation. A manufacturer that does not comply with Wal-Mart's
environmental standards may be shut out from the U.S. market.



Governments
play little to no role in such agreements. They are negotiated and
enforced by private parties: companies and activist groups. This new
form of regulation has sparked controversy. Recently, economists Jagdish
Bhagwati and Amrita Narlikar have accused activists of bamboozling
retail companies into taking responsibility for safety at garment
factories, a burden that should rest on the factory owners. Exit doors
existed, the scholars wrote, but managers closed them.





 Can or will companies police themselves? 



Outside Opinion: Private regulation on the rise - Chicago Tribune

Seeking New Tools to Address a Wage Gap

This is other article about "What can be done about income inequality?"

Reducing income inequality is hard but what would be the most efficient tool to fix the problem? We have talked about income redistribution, more education, increase on minimum wage, tax reforms for corporations. President Obama has certainly tried to redistribute more, however, that does not seem powerful enough to make an impact on income gap. To Professor Solow, the Nobel laureate economist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, comments that “we have a better shot at doing something with changes in corporate governance than with direct redistribution.”

Do you agree with Professor Solow's statement? Are you optimistic about the capacity of the American political system to redistribute income within a reasonable period of time? Do you think with the Republicans are set to control both houses of Congress, our political system would be better and things could get done?

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/05/business/economy/seeking-new-tools-to-address-income-inequality.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw%2C{%222%22%3A%22RI%3A14%22%2C%221%22%3A%22RI%3A6%22}

Eagles vs. Ducks: From “the Movie Wolf of Wall Street” to "The real-life Wolf of Wall Street"

Jordan Belfort, "the real-life Wolf of Wall Street," is earning $100,000 a day as a motivational speaker and will be making $100 million on his speaking tour. This was the guy that spent 22 months in jail for money laundering and securities fraud in the 1990s and owed the federal government $110,362,993.87 in restitution. This was also the guy that his "legendary" life  was turned into a blockbuster film starring by Leonardo DiCaprio.  After 22 months in jail, he is planning to pay back his victim in 1 year through his earnings from a 45-city speaking tour in the U.S. In his speech, he stated that: "The world is divided between ducks and eagles,  "The 'duck, has a story, their bullshit story... why can't they have what they want... their story stops them from getting what they want while the Eagles are different, they soar above the crowd." 

What is your perspective toward the Ducks and the Eagles? In TED talk by Nick Hanauer, he claimed that his  success was the consequence of spectacular luck, of birth, of circumstance and of timing. Do you think those three factors are what differentiates the Eagles and the Ducks? If not, what makes the Eagles soar above the crowd and what makes this world is divided into ducks and eagles?
 
Furthermore, there was a woman and her husband who paid $500 each for VIP seats and a one-on-one meet-and-greet Jordan Belfort. If you had lots of money, would be you be willing to spend that amount of money to listen to such motivational speaker?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-belfort-cringeworthy-la-convention-center-2014-11

Shy bladder group protests DirecTV ad starring Rob Lowe

By now everyone has seen the new DirecTV commercials starring Rob Lowe. Generally people see the comedy in these commercials and enjoy them. Well now DirecTV is catching some flack from shy ladder sufferers. The ad is in poor taste and ridicules a serious problem, said Steve Soifer, CEO of the International Paruresis Association, which estimates that some 7 percent of Americans have some form of "shy bladder syndrome. What if he didn't have a leg or an arm?" he said. "Are you going to make fun of them?" These people are now requesting that DirecTV remove these fairly expensive commercials. 

What would you do if you were in DirecTV's shoes? Cut the commercials to save the feelings of a very small group of people, or, continue airing the successful ad campaign? How serious of a situation do you think this is for DirecTV?

Here's the article http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/11/04/shy-bladder-group-protests-directv-ad/18466771/

U.S. Fines Automakers Hyundai and Kia for Misstating Mileage

Korean automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will pay the federal government $300 million as part of a settlement for overstating vehicle fuel-economy standards on 1.2 million cars. The action is part of a broader, more aggressive enforcement effort by federal regulators on the auto industry. Under the agreement, automakers will pay $100 million in fines and forfeit an estimated $200 million in greenhouse-gas emissions credits, which auto companies earn by building vehicles with lower emissions than are required by law. Since all of the testing for these two companies was done entirely in Korea, government officials are also requiring the companies to build a separate, American based center for testing fuel economy as part of the settlement. 
The admission came after an E.P.A. investigation into consumer complaints that their cars were underperforming the official mileage estimates of their new cars. The E.P.A. said the fuel efficiency standards reported by Hyundai and Kia were off by one to six miles per gallon. Hyundai and Kia both apologized for what they called "procedural errors" in testing. 

How big of an impact, if any, do you believe that this news will have on sales for both Hyundai and Kia? Do you think this news could potentially benefit American made car companies? How prevalent do you think misstating mileage is in the auto industry? 

Here's the article http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/04/us/politics/us-fines-korean-automakers-for-misstating-mileage.html?ref=business

What Water Companies Are Doing In California Is So Completely Messed Up

Seems like both a market failure and and a government failure to me.  What do you think?



What Water Companies Are Doing In California Is So Completely Messed Up

Infographic: The Most Tried and Failed Small Businesses

Check out the picture.  95% of small businesses fail within first 5 years.  



Infographic: The Most Tried and Failed Small Businesses

Five Reasons 8 Out Of 10 Businesses Fail

Business failure rates are huge.  This is an interesting take on how not to fail:  pay attention to your customers.  How does this relate to ideas of maximizing shareholder value?



Five Reasons 8 Out Of 10 Businesses Fail

Why OPEC is fine with falling oil prices

As you may have noticed, filling up your car has felt a lot better lately. Despite increasing tensions in the Middle East, the nationwide average for a gallon of gas stands below $3 for the first time in four years — a roughly 20% drop from June levels. Surprisingly OPEC, an oil producing group that controls about 40% of the world supply, is just fine with this. So, why would a cartel that aims to defend $100 a barrel oil and depends on high prices for the success of its economies, allow oil to slip into the $80s? Simple, America's energy alternatives are becoming far too good. In fact, U.S. drilling companies have become so adept at fracking that the U.S. is expected to become energy independent by 2020. The biggest problem with fracking is its high cost; oil prices need to stay above $85 a barrel in order for new fracking investment to be worthwhile. With this in mind, should OPEC maintain current production levels, we should assume it is more interested in its long-term survival than in a current influx of cash. So, as much as lower oil prices are good for consumers as we head into the winter months, it's critical we maintain investment in all forms of alternative energy, including renewables, here at home. If we hope to continue $3 a gallon at the gas pumps for years to come, allowing OPEC to regain control of the energy markets is not an option.
  Do you believe that OPEC will continue to allow oil prices to remain in the $80s? How believable is the prediction that the U.S. will be energy independent by 2020? What is the economic impact of all of this?

Here's the article http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/11/02/opec-oil-stocks-energy-gas-middle-east/18247191/

Has privatization failed Texas utility customers? - Electric Light & Power

Monopoly power leads to higher prices.



Privatizers use the one-size-fits-all economic theory of “retail choice-free market competition” to promote the deregulation of Texas
electric utilities. Privatizers promise that lower electricity prices
and higher system reliability will follow electric utility deregulation.
Privatizers’ sloganeering convinces on-the-take politicians and the
unsuspecting electorate to approve their lobbyist-written deregulation
rules and laws.... Relative to U.S. electricity prices, Texas electricity prices during the
deregulation and privatization period (2002-2011) rise four times
faster than increases in Texas electricity prices before deregulation
(1970-2001). The Texas electricity market is much less efficient now as a
result of deregulation. Higher relative electricity prices after
deregulation are a liability for Texas residential electricity consumers
and put Texas at a competitive disadvantage compared with regulated
electric utility states when attempting to attract new industry and
jobs.





Has privatization failed Texas utility customers? - Electric Light & Power