Street Speculator

How do you feel about a private company, say, Goldman Sachs, managing the toll road in your city instead of the local government? Or maybe the regional airport?

Well, for those against private companies managing public services, get ready for the beginning of a new trend, COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU!!

An article in today’s New York Times sums it up. Cities and states are running out of money. Revenues are coming in at levels not budgeted for. The high price of gas is one blame, the current credit crunch, and even high crime rates.

In order to raise revenue, some cities are leasing (offering 30- 50 yr. leases) city services to large investment companies in exchange for a large cash infusion. In return, the winning bidders are allowed to keep the revenue generated from their management of the specific government service entity.

This is not a bad idea, but what happens when the cash infusion money runs out? It can happen.

The StreetSpeculators.com city revenue conservation plan

1. Reduce Crime (Keeps families from moving to the suburbs)

2. Don’t give away the money trying to lure a professional sports franchise

3. GET EXTREMELY TOUGH ON CRIME (Good for business recruitment)

4. Improve the school systems (Increase teacher salaries & get rid of the school boards, SChool boArds, scHOol boards)

5. CONTINUE TO GET EXTREMELY TOUGH ON CRIME

6. Negotiate to get a % of the revenue from leasing city services to private companies.

7. Any government worker must reside (permanent home) in the city or get a 15% payroll tax. This prevents the “in at 9/out at 5″ employees from coming in to work, then leaving to reside in the suburbs.

8. Reduce the amount of tax-exempt properties (Ex. Churches, etc..)

9. Implement term limits on elected officials (Prevents DINOSAURS from running government)

10. Make it mandatory that parents attend Parent Teacher Conference meetings (Instills community and strengthens the school system)

Let us know your opinion!!

Well, the wait is over. Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama has chosen his running mate.

I believe Senator Biden has been in Congress for over 20 years. This appears to be a “Dick Cheyney-like” type of selection. Select a VEEP with a lot of D.C. political experience to alleviate the worries of those who question a candidates experience level.

Biden is definitely a DINOSAUR, as I do not know what more he can offer than his age. He has been in office during U.S. deficits, surpluses, and wars.

He may be an asset for Senator Obama. He will also be a minor liability as well. Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and ‘ol Rushbo are going to have a field day with Senator Biden’s previous personal gaffes.

It was revealed that Senator Biden plagiarized a law review article while in law school. As a presidential candidate, he also plagiarized a speech by Neil Kinnock whom at the time was the leader of the British Labour Party.

Don’t be surprised if you are constantly reminded of Biden’s history until after the election.

STICK AROUND!!!!!

- Gordon Gekko

Well folks, it’s football time again. Football, one of the most popular sports on the planet. Some people are set to make a lot of money when the season starts. And I am not talking about the players.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit EPHESIANS 5:18

Didn’t mean to get biblical. I love and respect any man’s religion as we all have to live together at some point in time or another. However, we at STREETSPECULATORS.COM love to point out hypocrisy.

The NFL makes a lot of money off of beer sales and sponsorships. The Official Beer of the NFL is MillerCoors , which will remain so through 2010 ($600 million + deal). I don’t mind beer sales at sporting events. What bothers me are the people selling the beer, so-called Christians.  The Moral Leaders. WHAT?

You heard me loud and clear. It would probably amaze you to find how many Bible toting, critical of other religions and beliefs, perfect walking, Christians are involved with the sale of beer at sporting events.

Kirbyjohn Caldwell: Part-Owner of the Houston Texans. Close confidant of president George W. Bush. Senior Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

Dr. Claude Alexander: Part-Owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Senior Pastor of The Park Ministries, University Park Baptist Church.

Bob McNair: Owner of the Houston Texans. Recipient of a Citizenship and Community Involvement award from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The same owner who stated he would never draft a player with a checkered past.

Now, for the simple minded, the teams they are affiliated are bound by league rules to sell beer and promote its consumption through advertising. Inside of the stadium and arenas, advertisements and promotions for beer consumption are everywhere. This is done because the leagues commands it and there is money to be made.  Lots of it. They want the patrons to Buy, bUy, buY!!!!

Hypocrites. What’s your opinion? I cannot in good faith (I just got spiritual again) listen to people who preach one thing then can those principles when it comes to making money. Why else would someone own a pro sports team? Unless you are extremely ignorant, you would know going in as an owner that these organizations are built on SUDS.

Readers, have a good day at church tomorrow!!   

I guess we buy beer first, get drunk 2nd, they pray for forgiveness last.

Remember Eddie Murphy in the comedy Trading Places? Murphy was given a job at a commodity brokerage company, Duke & Duke. This institution traded commodity contracts, or futures. In other words, they brought contracts in Orange Juice, Gold, Wheat, and other commodities for SPECULATORS.

Trading in commodities are highly volatile and extremely risky. A broker once told me that until I can predict when a drought is coming to the Midwest or when it will rain in Columbia, stay away from investing in commodities.

There is a way to cash in on the commodity market without the added risk. You can purchase the PHYSICAL commodity itself. That’s right, Gold, Silver, Copper, Platinum bars and others. The prices are set by the public market and these metals are sold by the ounce.

Gold ($841/ounce) Silver ($13.66/ounce)

Platinum ($1,431/ounce). Prices as of 8.21.08

You can purchase these commodity products at one of the following vendors:

KITCO Bullion dealers (kitco.com) and Northwest Territorial Mint (bullion.nwtmint.com). We promote commodity metals purchasing today as an alternative to cash.

Hypothetically, suppose the value of the U.S. dollar continues to drop and/or becomes worthless (It can happen). You would then need something of value with which to be able to purchase, trade, barter, etc… All countries accept and sell physical commodities. The value of the commodity is based on the market price, the price set by the exchanges on that particular day (NYMEX, CME Group). The SPECULATORS recommend you start to purchase the physical commodities. Keep then in a safe deposit box and buy insurance on each physical “bar” or “coin” as well. NOTE: Warren Buffet purchased over $500 million in about 129 million ounces of silver in 1999.

Publicly Traded Commodities

Gold, Silver, Copper, Oil, Wheat, Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa, Lean Hogs (?), Pork Bellies, Natural Gas, Uranium, Platinum, Nickel, Aluminum

If you want to be more conservative in commodity purchases, you can also buy a commodity based mutual fund. Some examples include the Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund, Pimco Commodity Real Return Fund, Rogers Raw Materials Fund.

Disclaimer: With any investment, do your research and analysis before buying.

Author: Gordon Gekko,Wall Street (As played by Michael Douglas)

Do you fit into this category? Your bank account provides the answer. If you want to get your finances in order, FINALLY, then follow the GEKKO PRINCIPLES (Gordon Gekko quotes from the movie Wall Street).

GEKKO PRINCIPLES

WHY AM I LISTENING TO YOU? Ask the next financial advisor or stockbroker this question the next time you are approached. Make sure you ask how much of their own money they have doubled, tripled, etc… and whether their personal funds are in the same investment they are trying to put you in.

THE FIRST LESSON IN BUSINESS IS DON’T GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT STOCKS, IT CLOUDS YOUR JUDGMENT. Once you get into the stock market, your goal should be to make a profit, not be happy because you own popular companies. Get in then get out. Set a goal, a specific $ amount you are looking to get out of the investment as profit. THEN SELL, SELL, SELL….

IT’S A FREE MARKET, AND YOU ARE PART OF IT. Don’t expect anyone to hold your hand. You make up your own bed. Opportunity is wherever you create it, not where some company is looking for employees. Kick you know what and take numbers. Don’t ask for others for their opinion. Entrepreneurship is not something that can be taught, it is a mentality.

AND I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT SOME $400,000 A YEAR WORKING WALL STREET STIFF FLYING 1ST CLASS AND LIVING COMFORTABLE. Don’t be a schmuck. Most people want to get enough money just to buy a luxury car, a huge house, expensive clothes, and maybe even a jet. These people will wind up poor. A “workaholic”, “die hard”, “kick a_ _”, “no complaints” mentality will provide you with anything you need, until the day you die. But if your goal is to receive material things, you are, excuse my french, VERY INSECURE and STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE PUBLIC IS OUT THERE THROWING DARTS AT A BOARD SPORT. I DON’T THROW DARTS AT A BOARD. I BET ON SURE THINGS. Listen to the people you are surrounded with on a daily basis, family included. Find out what needs people have that are not being met (Complaints). Then meet the need. This is your business plan. In the U.S., regardless of what it is, there are people who will meet the needs, whatever they are, of all U.S. citizens (Ex. Pornography, Alcohol, Bachelor’s Degree in “Athletic Coaching Education”).

Watch the movie for more. Ignore the fact that at the end Gekko goes to jail. But, his words are almost SPIRITUAL.

What are you waiting for?