http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9803/03/gates.full/
Bill Gates defends the Microsoft Empire, saying their dominance is due to technological advancement, not a desire to monopolize the industry.
Different bosses of the computer industry gave their (opposing) opinions to congress on Microsoft's position. All agreed, however, that the government should maintain their laissez faire approach.
Gates claimed that government regulation would only restrict innovation, and in this case, I whole-heartedly agree.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Wage-Gap is Wrong Measuring Stick
Wage Discrimination Exists - http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/21/commentary/everyday/sahadi/index.htm
The current wage gap ratio doesn't account for men and women with equal training, education or seniority. It only accounts for men and women who work a 35 hour week. As we've seen time and time again, the over-simplification of things can lead to miscommunication and wrong assumptions.
Is that happening?
Statistics can be manipulated to mean almost anything. Without taking into account equalities, what does the wage-gap ratio really say? Not much.
There is still discrimination against women on the job, however. Women with children are less likely to be hired whereas men with children are more likely to make a higher wage. I'm not saying that men and women receive equal or even fair wages, by no means... there is far too much proof otherwise. This article, however, points out the many faults of the wage-gap ratio in making a conclusion about men and women's treatment in the workforce.
The current wage gap ratio doesn't account for men and women with equal training, education or seniority. It only accounts for men and women who work a 35 hour week. As we've seen time and time again, the over-simplification of things can lead to miscommunication and wrong assumptions.
Is that happening?
Statistics can be manipulated to mean almost anything. Without taking into account equalities, what does the wage-gap ratio really say? Not much.
There is still discrimination against women on the job, however. Women with children are less likely to be hired whereas men with children are more likely to make a higher wage. I'm not saying that men and women receive equal or even fair wages, by no means... there is far too much proof otherwise. This article, however, points out the many faults of the wage-gap ratio in making a conclusion about men and women's treatment in the workforce.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Nickel and Dime Discrimination
Would You Like Engines With Your Flight?
According to Robert Mann, president of R.W. Mann & Company, airlines dropped meal services over security concerns. Later, they decided to make up for the lag in sales by turning it into a pay service. Airlines are beginning to charge an extra $10 for an assigned seat and another fee for changing your seat.
But, it's still going to be the same seat, whether you sit there or someone else does. This makes it price discrimination. The customer gets the exact same seat, but the price paid for that seat depends.
Some airlines, such as the European airline Ryan Air, are charging a 'handling fee' for purchasing tickets with a debit or credit card! Want to check your bags? That's $10 for two bags, and an extra $100 for a third. Yep. Same bag - same process of loading and unloading but if its the third bag, you're paying an extra $90.
According to Robert Mann, president of R.W. Mann & Company, airlines dropped meal services over security concerns. Later, they decided to make up for the lag in sales by turning it into a pay service. Airlines are beginning to charge an extra $10 for an assigned seat and another fee for changing your seat.
But, it's still going to be the same seat, whether you sit there or someone else does. This makes it price discrimination. The customer gets the exact same seat, but the price paid for that seat depends.
Some airlines, such as the European airline Ryan Air, are charging a 'handling fee' for purchasing tickets with a debit or credit card! Want to check your bags? That's $10 for two bags, and an extra $100 for a third. Yep. Same bag - same process of loading and unloading but if its the third bag, you're paying an extra $90.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
$70 Million with a View
Manhattan is a 20 square mile island. 1.6 million people live on this relatively tiny island. So, how's that for demand?
In USA Today's article 'Manhattan: Except for 'very high-end' housing, 'market is quiet',' Noelle Knox says it so eloquently, "the shortage of land tends to magnify the forces of supply and demand." Well, I definitely agree, Ms. Knox. In my last post, I talked about the shortage of doctors... how about a shortage of housing? In Manhattan, $1 million will buy you a median (AVERAGE) home. An average home! Think about what $1 million would buy you in Fort Atkinson, WI...
There has been an increase in condos built in the last year, however. There is now an 11.9 month supply of condos/co-ops, compared to last year's 6.6 month supply. Pricing is becoming more realistic, as well. With the supply up, Jonathan Miller, CEO of Miller Samuel says, "We are seeing sellers be a little bit more realistic in pricing." Well, there you go. The market corrects itself again.
In USA Today's article 'Manhattan: Except for 'very high-end' housing, 'market is quiet',' Noelle Knox says it so eloquently, "the shortage of land tends to magnify the forces of supply and demand." Well, I definitely agree, Ms. Knox. In my last post, I talked about the shortage of doctors... how about a shortage of housing? In Manhattan, $1 million will buy you a median (AVERAGE) home. An average home! Think about what $1 million would buy you in Fort Atkinson, WI...
There has been an increase in condos built in the last year, however. There is now an 11.9 month supply of condos/co-ops, compared to last year's 6.6 month supply. Pricing is becoming more realistic, as well. With the supply up, Jonathan Miller, CEO of Miller Samuel says, "We are seeing sellers be a little bit more realistic in pricing." Well, there you go. The market corrects itself again.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Shortages!
USA Today did a story on the 'growing shortage' of doctors in America. The article predicts that with the growing population, there will not be enough trained and skilled doctors in practice to meet the need of the people. Wisconsin sits average on the doctors-per-capita scale with a 2.6.
President of the American Medical Association, John Nelson, speculates that the aging population may put a strain on the doctors in practice. The demand for doctors is increasing, but is there a supply to meet the demand?
Or is it that the doctors are ill distributed? Many doctors prefer to live in cities where there are lucrative, insured patients to tend to. Doctors also gravitate towards the high-paid jobs. There may be a surplus of sports medicine, but no radiologists.
Now, medicine in a very inelastic service. People need doctors, so when the supply of doctors drop, the price rises and stays there until the supply goes back up.
President of the American Medical Association, John Nelson, speculates that the aging population may put a strain on the doctors in practice. The demand for doctors is increasing, but is there a supply to meet the demand?
Or is it that the doctors are ill distributed? Many doctors prefer to live in cities where there are lucrative, insured patients to tend to. Doctors also gravitate towards the high-paid jobs. There may be a surplus of sports medicine, but no radiologists.
Now, medicine in a very inelastic service. People need doctors, so when the supply of doctors drop, the price rises and stays there until the supply goes back up.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Supply, Demand, Tariffs and Ethanol.
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-national.php?Id=275&yr=2007
Some people see ethonal as a way to ease America's reliance on foreign oil. In this report from the Wisconsin Ag Connection, it shows that despite sharp tariffs, foreign ethanol suppliers can compete with domestic prices. So even though we aren't relying on foreign oil, we are beginning to rely on cheap foreign ethanol.
Matt Hartwig, from the Renewable Fuels Association asked, "Why should we be trading dependency on one energy source for dependency on another?"
Ethanol is a biofuel, though... petroleum? Not so much. The environmental economist would see this as an advantage.
The Bush Administration has said it would like to see the tariff on imported ethanol go away. There is a loophole, though. If the ethanol is dehydrated in the Carribean, the tariff is waved. Only 7% of of annual U.S. ethanol can be duty-free.
Some people see ethonal as a way to ease America's reliance on foreign oil. In this report from the Wisconsin Ag Connection, it shows that despite sharp tariffs, foreign ethanol suppliers can compete with domestic prices. So even though we aren't relying on foreign oil, we are beginning to rely on cheap foreign ethanol.
Matt Hartwig, from the Renewable Fuels Association asked, "Why should we be trading dependency on one energy source for dependency on another?"
Ethanol is a biofuel, though... petroleum? Not so much. The environmental economist would see this as an advantage.
The Bush Administration has said it would like to see the tariff on imported ethanol go away. There is a loophole, though. If the ethanol is dehydrated in the Carribean, the tariff is waved. Only 7% of of annual U.S. ethanol can be duty-free.
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