The year is almost over, but some forecasts warn that the economic challenges have only just begun. For some perspective on what to expect, we spoke earlier today with Bob Dieli in today’s episode of The Inside View, the third installment in our new podcast talk show.
Dieli’s a familiar presence on these digital pages. We last checked in with Bob on December 2, when CS summarized his take on the challenges of trying to measure and survey the current state of the business cycle. When he’s not talking with your editor, Dieli heads up RDLB Inc., his Lombard, Ill. economic consultancy that publishes its research at NoSpinForecast.com.
Bob’s career in the dismal science began in the late-1970s, when he specialized in the challenge du jour: inflation. These days, deflation seems to be the bigger risk, as we discussed last week. Yet Dieli’s not convinced that deflation is now fate for the U.S. economy, even if the latest batch of consumer prices suggest otherwise, as we discussed last week. For his reasoning, along with some thoughts on the economy generally, come pay a visit to The Inside View…

Please visit CapitalSpectator.podbean.com for more options with this and other Inside View podcasts.

The Madoff investment scandal may be the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, in which case the swindle offers oversized as well as familiar lessons in what not to do with the care and tending of money.
Reading the ongoing news reports of how this crime was executed summons a range of emotions: frustration, sadness, shock and anger, to name a few. All the more so because so much of the investment pain was easily avoided. At least in theory.

Continue reading →