The SEC has finally taken action on the JOBS Act, passed in April, 2012. The JOBS Act requires the SEC to amend Rules 506, and 144A of Regulation D of the Securities act of 1993. Rule 506 contains a provision prohibiting the “general solicitation or general advertising” by issuers trying to sell securities. Rule 144A … Continue reading
Latest Entries
Bigger Isn’t Always Better?
From a young age Americans are taught through numerous outlets that bigger is better. Bigger Tonka truck. Bigger stuffed animal. Bigger house. Bigger car. Bigger TV. Bigger engagement ring. The list goes on. In some circumstances bigger may be better. In some cases it is not. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act The President’s Affordable … Continue reading
DNC 2012: The “Things You Shouldn’t Say Out Loud” Department
Watching the Democratic National Convention, I’ve been struck by one overarching thought: whatever you believe about the issues discussed, many of them are not things that should be said out loud, at least if you’re trying to attract votes. It’s obvious that the Democratic Party has taken this opportunity to speak to their base. The … Continue reading
What’s for Lunch, Mommy? Ask Mayor Bloomberg.
We all became aware of Mayor Bloomberg’s war on obesity this May, when he proposed a ban for New York City on sugary drinks larger than 16 oz. This was an extreme response to the ongoing obesity epidemic that plagues our nation, and worst of all, our children. Although the soda ban was overly paternalistic, … Continue reading
For Egypt’s Mohammed Morsi, Pragmatics Outweigh Ideology
It’s a familiar story in democracies – a politician runs for office and is elected on a particular platform. Soon after taking office the realities of leadership force him to reign in his promises and govern more pragmatically. The story, it seems, translates into Arabic. AN IDEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Egypt’s President, Mohammed Morsi, ran and was … Continue reading
Fact-Based Opinions: The User’s Manual
The game of politics. Some wish they could win it; everyone wishes they could understand it. Naturally, the game involves playing. (It is a game, after all.) So, it comes as no surprise when, during this political season, “Fact Checkers” pop up left and right. We laypeople need the plain truth, not the politicized version … Continue reading
Time for a tough call on Syria
President Obama has waffled for too long on Syria. It didn’t want to intervene but it was hesitant to do nothing. The middle ground it chose is bad for Syrians, bad for the region, and bad for American foreign policy. Obama has prioritized good politics above good policy long enough in Syria – he needs … Continue reading
Overtaxing: The FCC’s Broadband Tax
In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filed a request for comments on a proposal that would effectively place a tax on broadband Internet service. This move has largely flown under the radar, but fortunately, people have begun to take notice. Obviously, a tax on broadband Internet service would have a large impact across the country, … Continue reading
With No Power Comes No Responsibility: The EPA Oversteps Again
On August 21, 2012, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). CSAPR is an attempt to implement the “good neighbor” provision of the Clean Air Act that requires “upwind States” to prevent “sources within their borders from emitting … ‘amounts’ of pollution that travel across state lines” … Continue reading
CFTC / Economy / Fiscal policy / Regulation
The Dodd-Frank Act’s Effect on: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent agency, is charged with helping to regulate futures markets. The CFTC Chairman, Gary Gensler, stated that, “the Wall Street reform bill (Dodd-Frank) will – for the first time – bring comprehensive regulation to the swaps market place. Swap dealers will be subject to robust oversight.” The Dodd-Frank … Continue reading
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