Category Archives: Economics

Modern Economic Realities

Incentives  The rich need high wages, bonuses and stock options: the poor need low wages and cuts in benefits. Outcomes The Haves, the Have Nots and the Have Lots Dedicated to George Osborne, British Chancellor of the Exchequer and social … Continue reading

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Three Investment Strategies

“Successful investing is anticipating the anticipation of others.” John Maynard Keynes (economist) “If you want to get rich start a religion. Ron Hubbard (Scientology Founder) “The time to buy is when there’s blood in the streets.” Nathan Rothschild (19th Century … Continue reading

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Stuart Gulliver, HSBC and Don Corleone

“Well, I say yes. There is more money potential in narcotics than anything else we’re looking at now. If we don’t get into it, somebody else will, maybe one of the Five Families, maybe all of them. And with the … Continue reading

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George Osborne: Shirker

Oxford educated cabinet members (10 out of 23) have developed a philosophy of poverty which George Osborne outlined in his ‘Shirkers and Strivers’ speech*. The claim is that poor people are poor because they lack aspirations and worse, are addicted … Continue reading

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Micro-Brewing

“We were trying to come up with a new beer,” Brett Joyce of the Rogues Ales craft brewery told reporters in Newport Oregon, “using a different type of yeast. We tried to harvest new yeast strains from the hops in … Continue reading

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Racked by Indecision

Along with the rest of our gang, Dave Rosewarne and I had idled away most of our Saturday afternoon in Hilldene* Café opposite the pet shop. I had smoked a joint or two out the back but Dave, the most … Continue reading

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The 1908 Old-Age Pension Act

The 1908 Old-Age Pension Act was revolutionary legislation embodying the very best of British politics. For the first time there was to be state intervention in the living standards of the people. Assistance was given through non-contributory pensions recognising that … Continue reading

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The Odeboyz* Behemoth Fund

INTRODUCTION 10th JULY 2017 I made five recommendations in 2015 and I felt it only fair to return to what was written then. As I noted the objective was income plus the possibility capital growth. That objective has been achieved. … Continue reading

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The Hated Bedroom Tax

An anecdotal story. Some people will know that more than a decade ago we set up our own TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) in order to manage three council owned tower blocks of 146 two bedroom flats, in the Hornchurch area … Continue reading

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Ken Dodd: Comedian and Tax Avoider*, 1989

Ken Dodd’s lawyer at the trial: “Some accountants are comedians, but comedians are never accountants.” George Carman QC (Dodd was acquitted) How Ken Dodd began his act after the trial “Good evening, my name is Kenneth Arthur Dodd; singer, photographic … Continue reading

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