Elfin's Blogs

Robert Reich’s Blog on Obama 1st 100 days.

Karen — Wed, 06 May 2009 06:45:15 +0000

Came across a couple of blogs and website and I really like Robert Reich’s blog posts on his thoughts on the current economy crisis, and how the US should be tackling it though I do not exactly agree to all. His post on Obama’s first 100 days attracted my attention. Personally we need some more time to see how the stimulus would work. Though Obama’s plan to bring the funds back to the States, there is also a possibility that this may cut down companies competitiveness as costs would increase. If the 2% in the States for corporate establishments were that attractive, then why would these companies station off the US shores ? As an outsider, I am curious how the US system works. To me, the culture is different. During the Asian economic crisis about 10 years ago, many Asian countries were in a financial wreck, notably South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. Singapore exacped the crisis relatively unscathed because it is small and much easier to regulate and control. In the US, I feel the system is very much more complicated and political in nature. Passing a law off needs a lot of consensus, and that takes off time to pass crucial law to implement fast. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, the state of the US economy affects the world too. I do hope the steps implemented in the States are going to lead us all out of this chaos. Quick thoughts for now.

Tagged: first 100 days of Obama administration

Obama after first 100 days / Tax Increase

Karen — Tue, 05 May 2009 05:30:22 +0000

Over at Facebook, C.Sven posted an interesting link about Obama Proposes $190 Billion Tax Increase on Companies (Update4)

I thought it was an interesting topic for discussion. What would you think this rise in tax would bring about ?

I am also wondering about the manufacturing industries. I would have thought a lot of US MNCs may have to cut down their global scale since the tax comes in. True that you can evade tax, but I doubt they could totally evade it, so higher operational costs to these US firms.

What I am worrying is that banks will suffer. It really looks like it. If double taxation really kicks in, companies and individuals have less to put in the banks. Isn’t that directly effecting the whole economy worldwide ?

Maybe I am wrong to say this, but I thought they should keep corporate tax low and make the companies do more hiring. What I see is that tax of this kind is going to reduce employment which will add to the viscous cycle of less spending etc.

Tagged: Implications on world economy, Obama, Raised Tax on Companies

Comments site for blogs under the stratosphere…

Karen — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:35:51 +0000

Why this site:

I have set up this discussion hall here to throw in comments on the various topics on my blogs, as well as other blogs that is of interest in improving the social condition. All the ‘comments’ function at blogger appear to require one to signed in first before they can comment. But wordpress doesn’t. Hence this idea of setting up a blog of blogs came in. I have set this up to get everything in one place where an url and/or email address would do just fine.

Method of use:

* Simply click on the relevant page tabs from this home page that you would like to comment, and mark your presence there by posting your thoughts.

* Just glide point your mouse over the image of the blog that you want to comment on, and you will instantly see a pop up snap shot of the respective blog. On the pop up image, choose either (i) image icon to view only the images or (ii) the RSS icon to just read the latest posts.

Enjoy and welcome to this virtual discussion hall at wordpress !

Karen Fu

Tagged: blogs, design, discussion, life