Bill Gee

An Equal Opportunity Critic
by Bill Gee (centrist)

Insult to Injury
Published: May 15, 2013
How the Independent Foreclosure Review is a slap to the face to the millions who lost their homes to the banksters.

Macroeconomics 204
Published: March 18, 2013
A little bit of shameless advertising for an online class I'm teaching

The 10K College Degree
Published: February 26, 2013
A confession to my part in the MOOC revolution that's destroying your child's mind.

Star Wars and the MIC
Published: February 22, 2013
A comparison of Americas Military Empire and the Star Wars Empire

Preppers vs Pragmatists
Published: February 15, 2013
Are you preparing for the end of the world or just for hard times ahead?

My Thoughts on the Fiscal Cliff
Published: December 10, 2012
Some highlights of points I made during the Nolan Chart Radio Debate

US Treasury Bond Shortage
Published: December 4, 2012
What does the Fed's Plan to purchase 90% of US Treasury Bonds mean for investors?

Weaknesses in Fair-Value Accounting for Investments
Published: November 20, 2012
An evaluation of the cost and impact of FASB's Topic 820 (Fair Value Disclosures)

Made in Myanmar
Published: November 19, 2012
Why is President Obama REALLY in Burma?

It's Time for a People's Party!
Published: November 8, 2012
After $3.5 Billion spent, the winner was the status quo. It's time we gave America another choice.

The Chicago Plan Evaluated
Published: October 26, 2012
An IMF Working Paper brings back an economic plan from the 1930's. Can it work today?

Five Stories Of Our Impending Economic Collapse
Published: October 10, 2012
While the Mainstream Media spends all of their time on a meaningless election cycle, the economy continues to get worse.

What Bain Capital Owns
Published: August 31, 2012
What sort of "Business experience" will Mitt Romney bring to the White House? A look into Bain Capital's portfolio provides the answer.

The Most Boring Election Season EVER!
Published: August 15, 2012
My thoughts on the most expensive presidential election season in History...BORING!

And There Was Much Rejoicing...
Published: July 26, 2012
The ECB has "rescued" the Euro! Or are they simply trying to pretend that everything's okay?

Are Business Schools Actually Schools of Crime?
Published: July 17, 2012
Are Americas best business schools actually training grounds for tomorrows financial criminals?

ECB Stimulus Inspiring Confidence? You're Kidding, Right?
Published: July 13, 2012
An expanded answer to a Walt Theissens question regarding ECB Stimulus and the Euro Crisis.

Wal-Mart vs. Morons Rebuttal
Published: July 10, 2012
I got this email from my dad. Normally I ignore these things but the amount of misinformation was too much.

Notes on the Economy - February 2012
Published: February 28, 2012
Another quick break from my busy schedule to comment on the progress of our financial meltdown.

Fraud and Financial Regulation
Published: February 15, 2012
Have all of the new Accounting rules and regulations make the finance world a safer place? Just ask gun owner.

Employee Well-Being Matters
Published: February 14, 2012
A little time-out for mental well-being goes a long way to making us happier and more productive workers.

Notes on the Economy - January 2012
Published: February 1, 2012
A quick break from my busy schedule to comment on the progress of our financial meltdown.

SOPA and Nolan Chart
Published: January 17, 2012
Although the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has little to no chance of actually becoming law, the fact that it is being seriously considered in Congress should have all of us a bit concerned.

"The Big Waste" and Food Network
Published: January 10, 2012
The Food Network's attempt at bringing to light the issue of food waste falls far short at addressing its economic causes and solutions.

Bleak Outlook for the Insurance Industry
Published: December 29, 2011
Fitch Ratings just published a special report on the state of the Insurance Industry that should have all of us a bit concerned.

Notes on the Economy - December 2011
Published: December 28, 2011
A quick break from my busy schedule to comment on the progress of our current financial meltdown.

My 2011 "Top Ten"
Published: December 16, 2011
A quick summary of the ten most popular articles Ive written on Nolan Chart in 2011.

The Minimum Wage Debate
Published: December 13, 2011
A quick lesson in Economics for those knee-jerk supporters and detractors.

Credit-Default Swaps ARE Insurance
Published: December 9, 2011
Former FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair admonishes insurance regulators to treat CDS products like insurance, but is the industry listening?

OWS "Gone Underground"
Published: December 7, 2011
With the last of the camps getting closed by authorities for the Winter, OWS contemplates next moves.

Why the Occupy "Camps" Are Important
Published: November 30, 2011
With the disbanding of the Occupy camps in key cities across the nation, its clear that the movement has taken a different turn. So why are they still fighting for the right to camp?

Whitman To Protestors - "If You Want Change, Vote For It!"
Published: November 1, 2011
The former New Jersey Governor weighs in on the OWS debate, but like all other corporate hack pundits, she tries to deflect the blame.

News From the Front Lines - Oct 24-28
Published: October 28, 2011
The growing Occupy Movement took a violent turn this week as it struggles to keep the occupation peaceful while at the same time refine its mission.

New Derivative Instrument - US Treasury Bonds?
Published: October 24, 2011
In an effort to make US Treasury bonds more attractive to investors, the Treasury Department is proposing a new Treasury Bond that has more in common with derivatives than ever.

What Will Occupy Wall Street Actually Accomplish?
Published: October 21, 2011
What are the Movements Ultimate Goals and how will they be accomplished?

Orszag to Protestors: "It's Not My Fault!"
Published: October 19, 2011
The chairman of Citigroup attempts to express sympathy for the Wall Street protestors by insulting their intelligence!

Occupy Trenton Shut Down by Authorities
Published: October 18, 2011
Authorities are successful in denying protestors their 1st & 5th Amendment Rights on October 14th.

The NYC Declaration
Published: October 13, 2011
This is the current Declaration from Occupy Wall Street to the People of America

Occupy Wall Street's List of Demands
Published: October 11, 2011
The Top Five demands from the OWS Movement should ring a familiar tune to all activists.

Nolan Chart - Get Off Your Butts!
Published: October 6, 2011
The "Occupy" movement is growing like a tsunami in cities across the nation. Where are YOU?

Support "Occupy Wall Street"
Published: October 4, 2011
We all know we can talk the talk, but now is the time to walk the walk!

Notes on the Economy - Sept 19 - 23
Published: September 23, 2011
A quick break from my busy schedule to comment on the current financial meltdown.

Protecting Your Assets Against Inflation
Published: September 16, 2011
For those who believe they can protect their wealth against hyperinflation and currency collapse - a reality check.

Sustainable Eating Part 2: Vegetarian Awareness Month
Published: September 9, 2011
Here is your opportunity to take the pledge to eat more sustainibly for a month! Are you up to the challenge?

Worthless Treasury Bonds
Published: September 6, 2011
To all those pundits who believe that a less-than-2% yield on 10-Year Treasury bonds is a good thing - a reality check.

The Story of Darcy Flynn
Published: August 31, 2011
We now know that senior officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission underfunded their agents in the field, ignored complaints from whistleblowers and routinely destroyed documents pertaining to Wall Street criminals. Are we surprised?

Sustainable Eating - Good for Your Health, the Environment & Your Wallet
Published: August 23, 2011
Is eating a mostly vegetarian diet good for you? Let me count the ways...

London Riot Controversy - A Preview for Us?
Published: August 18, 2011
In the aftermath of the London Riots, the David Cameron government seems convinced that it's "gangs" that organized and coordinated the violence, but are gangs simply the scapegoats of a wider problem?

Growing Our Way to Prosperity?
Published: August 15, 2011
Mainstream economists are finally waking up to the fact that growing our way out of insolvency will be impossible unless major structural changes are made.

Clutching At Straws
Published: August 12, 2011
Friday morning Quarterbacking of the week on Wall Street August 8-12.

Civil Unrest in Olde London Towne
Published: August 9, 2011
Are the riots in London a result of austerity, flaring class warfare, or a combination of both?

Batten Down the Hatches!
Published: August 5, 2011
The world has finally woken up to the fact that the world is a dysfunctional mess.

Economic Crisis and the Normalcy Bias
Published: August 2, 2011
The deal is done, disaster has been avoided, we can go back to our normal lives. Or can we?

How Treasury Bonds Work - A Quick Lesson
Published: July 28, 2011
If default won't result in missing Social Security checks or unpaid bond interest, what's the big deal?

Pay For Performance - The Failed Experiment
Published: July 26, 2011
Should teachers be paid bonuses for improved test scores from their students? The research says NO!

The Last Hope for the Euro
Published: July 21, 2011
An idea floating to save the Euro is the introduction of the Euro Bond. But how exactly will that save the Euro?

Legislating Curriculum Or Why Kids Hate Social Studies
Published: July 20, 2011
State legislatures sacrifice academic freedom and further marginalize minority students.

Productive Efficiency and Reality TV
Published: July 18, 2011
A glimpse into your life under a Corporatocracy. It's not so bad as long as you don't fall through the cracks!

The "Grand Bargain" Myth
Published: July 12, 2011
With the White House and Congressional Leaders deadlocked over a "Grand Bargain" to raise the debt ceiling, what they have not told you is that it is already too late.

The Culture of Fear in the Workplace - Part 3
Published: July 8, 2011
The Wal-Mart effect.

The Corporation & Personhood
Published: July 5, 2011
As the government grants more freedoms to corporate entities, it begs the question as to whether an Amendment to the Constitution is needed to define personhood in this country.

DSK - The Downfall of A Reformer
Published: July 1, 2011
Prosecutors in New York are now finding serious flaws with the key witness in the Dominique Straus-Kahn sexual assault case. It does not matter. The damage is already done.

Camden NJ - America's Fallujah (Part 5)
Published: June 29, 2011
A recent series of fires in Camden may be a preview of what is to come as American cities continue to cut back on essential services.

Dodd-Frank is a Joke on Executive Pay
Published: June 22, 2011
When you only have the appearance of reform, the cruel joke is on you.

The Fed is Powerless
Published: June 20, 2011
The Federal Reserve's Toolkit is broken, except nobody's told them yet.

Macroeconomic Radicalization 101
Published: June 17, 2011
If teachers and college professors of Economics are dedicated to speaking the truth to students, they become de facto instigators of radical thinking and behavior.

The Soul I Left Behind: Part 2
Published: June 9, 2011
If you were forced to foreclose on an underwater house, you are not allowed participate in the economic recovery.

The Culture of Fear in the Workplace: Part 2
Published: June 3, 2011
In a tight labor market employers are doing everything they can to keep employment costs down but in the process they have removed the last vestiges of worker protections.

When Crime Pays - A Marginal Economic Analysis
Published: May 31, 2011
In Economics, Marginal Analysis is a useful tool when discussing consumer choice. The same concept can also be applied to criminal behavior.

The Confusing GOP Message
Published: May 25, 2011
At this stage in the 2012 race it appears that one of the GOPs greatest strengths staying on message, is falling apart.

The Infrastructure Time Bomb
Published: May 23, 2011
The insurance industry is aware of our collapsing infrastructure, so why aren't we doing anything about it?

The Soul I Left Behind
Published: May 20, 2011
After abandoning my underwater home over a year ago, I still struggle to come to terms with the bit of my soul I left behind.

The End of Judicial Independence
Published: May 19, 2011
If Judicial Independence is one of the hallmarks of a democratic republic, why are more and more elected judges in this country selling out to the corporate ruling elite?

Death Derivatives As A Hedge On Longevity
Published: May 18, 2011
As people continue to live longer, pension funds and life insurers are struggling to maintain their profits by attempting to pass the risk on to investors. But what are the real risks to humanity?

In Defense of the Starbucks Customer & Investor
Published: May 17, 2011
If Starbucks is doing so well at experiencing growth after its reorganization two years ago and all indications is that the company is here to stay, why are pundits calling the retail chain an excellent short sale opportunity?

Investing in Armageddon
Published: May 13, 2011
Members of Congress want to keep taxes for the wealthy low so that they will invest in America's Future. But what kind of future are America's wealthy families actually investing?

Key Differences with the Arab Spring
Published: May 12, 2011
As we look to the difficult transition to Democracy in Egypt, we may wonder whether a similar movement here would generate just as much unrest and uncertainty.

Lessons from the Arab Spring
Published: May 9, 2011
Democratic societies have been inspired by the actions and sacrifice of the people of the Middle East as they throw off their autocratic rulers. Perhaps it is time we had an American Spring.

In Defense of the Whole Foods Customer & Investor
Published: May 4, 2011
Investment pundits have been panning the retailer as being too posh or upscale for the ordinary consumer. Since when is doing the right thing reserved exclusively for the rich?

Ding-Dong! Bin Laden is Dead!
Published: May 2, 2011
Before we get too carried away in our revelries over the death of the 9/11 mastermind, let us not forget who it was who created this monster and how much it as cost us to finally achieve justice.

Too-Big-To-Fail Investment Banks Collusion - Again!
Published: April 29, 2011
An EU probe announced today accuses the world's largest investment banks of collusion in setting the market for Credit-Default Swaps on Corporate and Sovereign debt. Are the

New Investment Vehicle - "Death Bet Securities"
Published: April 26, 2011
AIG sinks to a new low by securitizing the practice of betting on the early deaths of elderly people.

Are We the Zero's or the X's?
Published: April 25, 2011
A profound question by Charles Schultz and my two year-old son.

On the Subject of Fear
Published: April 20, 2011
While taking stock of the blogosphere, I've noted several individuals assigning blame for the current crisis on some kind of "Globalist Conspiracy", "Socialistic Agenda" or outright "Communism".

The "Laffer Curve" is Laughable
Published: April 14, 2011
While preparing a lecture on Supply-Side Economics for my Macro class, I thought I'd throw in my two-cents regarding the tax debate.

The Culture of Fear in the Workplace
Published: April 12, 2011
Why we tolerate corporate greed and why we are often the willing co-conspirators.

Why I Can't Run Away
Published: April 4, 2011
On a recent adventure to an "Intentional Community" in upstate New York, I came to the realization that running away from the coming storm is not an option for me or my family.

The World of Harry Potter Can Teach Us A Few Things
Published: March 29, 2011
The fantasy world of J.K. Rowling provides a both lessons and unresolved issues for our own "Muggle" affairs.

The "Wizard of Oz" Revisited
Published: March 28, 2011
After reading the original tale to my two year-old, I can see now that we have been here before...

The First Estimates Are In: 1 Japanese Earthquake = 4 Katrinas
Published: March 23, 2011
Initial estimates of the economic losses from the March 11 Earthquake and tsunami are $309 Billion. As Japanese officials suffer from a case of stoic over-optimism, perhaps it is time to face some difficult truths.

The Connection Between the Japan Disaster & the US Budget Deficit
Published: March 17, 2011
Aside from direct relief spending and US Military assistance, the Earthquake and looming Nuclear disaster in Japan shouldn't have that much of an impact on the Federal Budget, right? Wrong.

Taxpayer Funding of the "Liberal Press"
Published: March 14, 2011
Those calling for the end of public financing to PBS and NPR argue that taxpayers should not fund "Left-leaning" media. But if the political Right has Corporate America on their side, who's left to take the People's side?

The "Thought Police" Have Arrived
Published: March 9, 2011
How the search for a few "bad apples" can be turned into an excuse for destroying entire organizations. You could be next.

The Economic Consequences of Exclusion
Published: March 8, 2011
As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, we are reminded of the harsh economic consequences when we engage in a culture of economic exclusion that harms everyone equally.

"Sacred Cows" that Teacher Unions Must Give Up
Published: March 3, 2011
If we have any hope of reforming education, two "sacred cows" of teachers unions must fall: Lifetime tenure and LIFO.

New Derivative Instrument: Sovereign Credit-Default Swaps (CDSs)
Published: March 1, 2011
For those investors who are betting on the total collapse of the government debt market, there is now an investment vehicle that is made just for you!

Rebuttal to "The Case For Competing Precious Metal Currencies"
Published: February 25, 2011
A continuation of my debate with Walt Theissen about monetary systems and why the current system, with all of its problems, should not be abandoned.

Hungry People Are Angry People
Published: February 23, 2011
How close are we to a disaster in the world's food supply, and what can we do about it?

Common Ground: Infrastructure - but High-Speed Rail?
Published: February 17, 2011
Following President Obama's State of the Union Address, the Rockefeller Foundation's survey found that infrastructure is something we can all agree on, but what about High-Speed Rail?

Response to Rebuttal to "Reserve-Based Currency vs. Precious Metals-Based Currency (Part 1)"
Published: February 14, 2011
Perhaps we should call this “Part 2”? This is my response to Walt Thiessen’s Rebuttal on my original column.

Reserve-Based Currency vs. Precious Metals-Based Currency (Part 1)
Published: February 10, 2011
Part 1 of this series will first examine how the current monetary system and examines the consequences of its abandonment.

Message to Youth: Create Your Own Jobs!
Published: February 8, 2011
With youth unemployment at an all-time high, giving them even more education without jobs to match has created a "ticking time bomb" throughout the world. Hoping that the economy will magically create jobs is not enough. They have to create these jobs themselves.

The Usefulness of "Utility"
Published: February 1, 2011
According to GDP, the Great Recession has been over since June 2009. Really? Perhaps we need a better way of measuring economic growth!

How Is Art an Example of Government Waste?
Published: January 31, 2011
In its effort to cut the National Deficit, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has a big, red bull's eye painted on its back, but will eliminating this program end up doing more harm than good to our national character and our future?

Is Austerity Doomed?
Published: January 28, 2011
With all this talk about fiscal austerity from the political Right, the public (and the markets) remain as confused as ever! Can we find some middle ground?

Camden - America's Next Fallujah? (Part 4)
Published: January 25, 2011
If the government cannot fix Camden's woes, then perhaps it is up to its own residents to take the city back from the brink.

The Muni-Bond Market's "House of Cards"
Published: January 24, 2011
Allowing the states to declare bankruptcy may save Washington some money, but we will all feel the pain.

Camden - America's Next Fallujah? (Part 3)
Published: January 21, 2011
If local and state police and community-based groups like the Guardian Angels fail to maintain control of Camden's crime culture, is it time to call in the military?

Camden - America's Next Fallujah? (Part 2)
Published: January 20, 2011
The Guardian Angels agree to police Camden's streets after police layoffs. Will it be enough?

Camden, NJ - America's Fallujah?
Published: January 18, 2011
With the layoff of police and firefighters in America's second most dangerous city, are we looking at the possibility of a safe haven for a growing criminal insurgency?

"Blood Libel" Claim Casts Sarah Palin as the Victim in Tucson Shooting
Published: January 14, 2011
Sarah Palin's address where she attacks the media for casting her in the role of instigator of the Tucson shootings leaves us wondering who the real victims were.

Let's Find Some Middle Ground on Gun Control (Part II)
Published: January 13, 2011
Due to the unusually large number of reader comments from my last column, I feel it necessary to continue this discussion.

Let's Find Some Middle Ground on Gun Control
Published: January 12, 2011
If anything good comes from the Tucson shooting, it is a renewed discussion on the issue of gun control. This issue is one that Democrats have been hiding from, and Republicans have been ignoring, for far too long.

Obama's "Oklamoma City Moment"
Published: January 11, 2011
Obama will likely take political advantage of this moment in history - so what?

Turn Down the Volume
Published: January 10, 2011
The attempted assasination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords may be the result of our own rhetoric feeding the nihilists among us.

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