The Democrats Convention 2012 gets underway

The Democrats Convention 2012 kicks of today in Charlotte, North Carolina. It will be interesting to see how Michelle Obama handles the situation on the opening day.  

The Democrats have a lot on their plate. The president has to convince the people that the economy is getting better and that new jobs are on the way. His healthcare reforms are not going down well with a lot of Americans.

Barack Obama finds himself in a close race with the Republican rival Mitt Romney. It is getting a lot closer than most people thought. Things are hotting up and with two months to go, it is anyone’s race. The race is simply too close to call right now.

These swings states are his target for the time being and it will take some convincing as a lot of people are disappointed with the way the economy has shown a lackluster improvement.

The next couple of days could be crucial. Barack Obama’s acceptance speech is an eagerly anticipated event and people are going to hang on to his every word. Even world leaders will be paying close attention.

You can leave your comments about the American elections. Please avoid profanity of any kind in your comments. You can include a link in your comments. 

Is the American dream over

It may sound strange but there is a growing perception that the great American dream is dying a slow death. This is largely due to the huge American debt and the changing corporate culture in America. Big companies are no longer willing to pay a good salary to middle class workers and the middle class in America is beginning to come awake to this change.

Gone are the days when the middle class in America enjoyed a great lifestyle. Things are coming to a grinding halt. The middle class is disappearing in front of our very eyes and more people are slipping into poverty every day.

I would like to know what you think about the present situation in America and the changing situation in corporate America.

If you have a comment, you are welcome to do so. You can even include a link to your website or blog if you so desire.

Trading the Forex markets

If you wish to make some extra money then this is the best time to trade the Forex markets. Currency trading can be exciting and very rewarding. Millions of people have earned huge sums of money by trading currencies. You can do it too!

However, you will first need to understand the basics of trading currencies and hence it is far better to open a demo account first. When you have opened a demo account on a great trading platform such as eToro, you can then hone your skills as a day trade by practicing with virtual money.

Practice accounts are perfect, as you do not have to fear losing money. You will be able to learn the various hurdles and pitfalls that you might encounter while trading with real money. You will be able to learn about the best times to trade and you will also learn about the release of important economic data that is relevant for trading with currencies.

So why wait! Take that first step to financial freedom and register with eToro trading platform today. It will be the smartest thing you ever did and you will not live to regret it. The money is there for the taking. It is entirely up to you. 

Working from home: Trading online

Working from home can be exciting and a very rewarding experience as well. It can also be very stressful as there is some degree of uncertainty. There is always some uncertainty associated with a new venture and so this is normal.

Have you ever considered trading online from home? You can earn a decent living by trading online from home. Millions of people all over the world are using the internet to trade online and you can do it easily from the comfort of your own home. Why not start trading today and make some money online?

It is getting increasingly difficult to find a decent job these days. Most of the so-called “good jobs” do not pay very well anymore. You would be lucky if you found a job that provides you a decent living. What is the point of just surviving on lose change. Why not try to make a decent living by trading online.

Choosing an appropriate trading platform is vitally important when it comes to trading online. You should choose a platform that provides you all the necessary tools to make an informed decision. 

eToro is an award-winning platform that allows you to start trading with virtual money with a practice account. So why not go ahead and open a demo account with Etoro. Get a taste of the experience of what you can do and how you can change your life by trading online. This could be a potentially life changing experience.

Work at home with a home job

So you are unemployed and paying the bills is becoming a nightmare! Well, you are not alone. Welcome to the club. This club is growing by the day. All over the United States, millions of people are out of a job and struggling to make ends meet. The same thing is happening in Europe, particularly southern Europe.

But do not be too concerned, our politicians are working hard to add more people to our club. I mean look how hard Barack Obama is working to ensure that he has his way with Medicare and healthcare reforms. Look how honest Mitt Romney is with his overseas accounts and tax payments. They are doing all this for you and me, silly. So take heart. These guys know what they are doing! And in case they are not sure, they can always ask the big guys on Wall Street.

Who says we are suffering? Look at the unemployment in Spain. It is only 24%. Look at the brighter side. It could have been 50%. The French economy has come to a grinding halt. That is what the numbers say! But it could have been far worse. They could have entered a double dip recession just as the British are enjoying one right now.

Remember the good old days when you could simply buy anything you like because your wallet was stuffed with money. You know what the guys on Wall Street say that those lovely days are just round the corner again. Of course, if you believe that you will believe anything. They believe in the Gordon Gecko culture—Greed is good.

I have a few suggestions just in case you are down on your luck. Try to find work at home. I mean go in for a home job. Believe me it works. There are thousands of things that you can do to earn a living from the relative comfort of your home. I am assuming that your present home is comfortable. If not, look for a bench in a public place. Believe me it can be comfortable too!

Keep watching this space for more. In the next few days, I intend to help you guys out of your misery. I cannot promise millions but even a few dollars a day will do. 

Expendables 2 and the Hunger Games

Can you believe it? They are back. I mean the Expendables. Remember the bunch of toughies from yester years that specialize in overthrowing dictators round the world. Well, they are back after the flop show of 2010.

As if the first part was not enough, the same big old boys going about their business with guns and explosives, this one is surely going to flop too. Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham are at it again.

Meanwhile “The Hunger Games” movie is out and Josh Hutcherson is all praise for it. It is out on DVD and Blue Ray. It was out on Saturday, 18 August.

In a recent tragic incident in Chicago, the young start Joey Kovar died at the young age of 29 after a possible drug overdose. 

Pussy Riot and the punk stunt

The members of the punk band Pussy Riot have been sentenced by a Russian court to two years in prison for arousing religious hatred. However, this has brought to light the present state of political and individual freedom in Russia.

A lot of it was against the current president Vladimir Putin and hence this appears to be political in nature. Whatever the reason but this does undermine individual freedom and it is not the way to go about endearing yourself to the general public. 

Trading the Euro

The euro has come under increased pressure and it would be foolish to predict an upward trend in the Euro. There are a lot of unresolved issues with the Euro and even the euro zone leaders are not helping much by contradicting each other.

As of now, the euro is trading at 1.2350 and it is likely face downward pressure as the day wears on. The economic data does not encourage an upward trend and some analysts believe that the Federal Reserve is considering QE3 but that could be a long way off.

The next few days will give us a good indication about the possibility of the Federal Reserve launching another round of quantitative easing. Whether quantitative easing really helps or not is a moot question.

What do Elvis Presley, Vanessa Bryant, and Melky Cabrera have in common? They are all celebrities and they will remain legendary figures. They probably never traded on the stock exchange and they almost certainly never traded currencies the way we do today. They probably never needed to! And they certainly never needed to win the Powerball lottery. Ha, ha---just kidding.

Mitt Romney or Barack Obama

The race for the white is on in real earnest. There is no looking back now. Can Paul Ryan be a game changer for the Republicans? Time will tell but for the moment, he is certainly making waves not just in America but all round the world. There is a distinct possibility that he may overshadow Mitt Romney and that may shed Mitt Romney in poor light.

Mitt Romney has a habit of making blunders while delivering a speech. He introduced Paul Ryan as the next president instead of as the next vice president. He later tried to correct it but it did not go down well.  

His recent visit to London was less than perfect and his comments about the preparedness of London for the Olympics were very ill thought. His ideas on foreign policy appear to be a little vague for the moment. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have a lot of work to do before they can beat Barack Obama. It is going to be a long haul. 

Paul Ryan is the new American sensation

The new American Republican vice Presidential nominee is a sensation in America. Paul Ryan is now the new pinup and according to latest reports, the search for “Paul Ryan shirtless” is really hot on the internet. It is widely believed that he has a “six pack” beneath that shirt and he an exercise and fitness fanatic.

Well. he is certainly going to make things difficult for the Democrats to win this presidential race. 

Will the euro collapse

Will the euro collapse? This is the multimillion-dollar question that most investors and economists are asking. In the immediate future, there is not much likelihood of that happening. However, there are many questions still being asked about the fundamental structure of the euro and the euro zone and it appears that these fundamental questions will eventually pose a huge obstacle to the survival of the euro.

Even as you read this article, the euro is weakening and this trend is likely to continue. The global economic slowdown is adding to the insecurity and this is not helping the euro. The euro zone leaders are not helping by taking their own sweet time to make decisions. It is a mess and the mess keeps getting bigger and worse by each passing week. 

The euro zone sinks further

Official figures are out they show that the entire euro zone economy is in tatters. Today the latest figures show that the economic climate in the euro zone has worsened. Germany is barely growing at 0.3% and the French economy has practically come to a halt at 0.00%. 

Unemployment in the euro zone is at an all time high at more than 11%. Spain has an unemployment rate of more than 24%. Italy is also under pressure.

It is going to take a long and painful period before the entire euro zone experiences substantial growth. The entire global economy is heading for a recession. 

Can the Euro Survive

The financial crisis in Europe seems to be getting worse every week. Most of the European countries have a debt-ridden economy and it is simply unsustainable unless the leaders in Europe take some concrete measures to lessen the debt and increase jobs.

The big mess

Some of the countries of Europe such as Spain and Italy have huge amounts of debt. Greece is practically drowning in debt. It is simply impossible to get rid of this debt unless drastic structural changes are made in the economies of these countries. Austerity alone will not do the job. In fact, too much austerity will make growth impossible and without growth, there is no way out of this mess. Greece is in perpetual debt and it will remain in debt unless huge growth takes place. That appears impossible in the near future. Greece is in a vicious cycle from which there is no escape. In fact, some economists argue that leaving the Euro and returning to the Drachma is the only viable option for Greece.

Severe austerity has brought the Greeks to their knees. The entire nation seems to be on tender hooks. Things could explode any time. The debt of Greece is several times its GDP and it would take many years before some sort of growth is seen.

There is a limit to austerity and a limit to how much Germany can help. The chancellor of Germany has recently made a statement that Greece simply has to abide by its agreement or Germany would not be in a position to help financially. If Greece wants continuous financial help from the European Stability Mechanism Fund, it simply has to go in for more austerity measures and that is just not going to go down well with the grief stricken people of Greece. These austerity measures are very painful for the people.

It keeps getting worse

Spain is on the brink of a full-scale bailout. It is just a matter of time before it finally capitulates. The Spanish 10-year bond yields are beginning to creep up to the dangerous 7% levels once again. Italy is doing no better. Italian bond yields are hovering close to 6%. Even Cyprus asked for a bailout.

The need of the hour for Europe

Europe is in desperate need of financial help. Something has to be done very quickly or the Euro zone could disintegrate quickly. European leaders are simply not doing enough. Mario Draghi cannot work his magic every time by saying, “We will do whatever it takes to save the Euro. And believe me it will be enough”. The markets reacted well but this cannot go on forever. It is decision time for the leaders of the Euro zone and they better do something quickly. Time is running out.

Trading online: The week ahead

The previous week was a great week with the DOW closing at 13,208. The economic data was mostly positive during the course of the week and the DOW kept moving up. The great jobs report was the chief reason for this positive outlook. Although unemployment increased to 8.3% in the USA, the tremendous increase in jobs provided the much needed boost. There was some concern across the pond in Europe.

The Euro zone is still precariously poised and there are some serious unresolved issues. The economic figures are not good for the Euro Zone as a whole and even the German economy is beginning to show signs of strain and weakness. The Spanish bond yield are still painfully high and the Italian bonds are not doing too well either.

The euro zone leaders have promised much but delivered very little and the markets are becoming very jittery and even Mario Draghi may not be able to jaw bone the Euro upwards again.

The Euro finished the week lower against most of the major currencies. It ended the week at 1.2290 and the downward trend is likely to continue. However, watch out, as there is a general feeling that the Euro zone leaders are likely to take action. The upward trend on the DOW is likely to continue although you may see a slight pullback at the beginning of the week. The DOW should easily reach 13,300. That is the one-year high.

                                                                                                                                              

Getting started with Forex

Forex stands for foreign exchange. Forex represents trillions of dollars of trading in currencies every day. Millions of people and financial institutions all over the word trade in different pairs of currencies every single day. It is estimated that the Forex market is more than a €4 trillion dollar market. This is a huge market. Even big banks and large financial institutions cannot manipulate the currency market. This makes Forex a very fair and easy market.

However, one needs to be particularly careful when trading with currencies. Trading in currencies is a very high-risk business and you must only use money that you can afford. Never use money that you require for your day he needs. If you are not careful, then you could lose all your money very quickly. Hence, it is very important that you learn everything you can about the Forex market before trading with real money.

The Internet and online trading platforms has made it possible for people all over the word to start trading currencies on a daily basis. Early there was a time when only big banks and financial institutions could indulge in foreign exchange trading. There are many good with online trading platforms and you should make certain that you choose a good platform that meets all your requirements.

A good online platform allows you to trade with small amounts of money. Even if you have a micro account, it should be possible for you to trade in currencies. You should trade with a large account but not all people can afford large amounts of money for currency trading. A large accountant is good because it allows you to make money quickly. It also minimizes your risks.

When you open an account with any trading platform, make sure you first practice with virtual money. When you practice fortune money, you will not risk losing your real money. You can practice as long as you want to and gradually evolve an effective strategy for trading with real money. It is very important for you to make and evolve your own trading plan so that you continuously make profit on trading with currencies.

Mitt Romney makes a bold choice

This morning Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, named Paul Ryan as his running mate for the forthcoming presidential elections this November. This appears to be a wise choice. He made this announcement today in Norfolk, Virginia.

Paul Ryan is said to be a “down to earth next door guy”. He is said to be a fiscal conservative. However, he is said to be brilliant and this was evident today as he delivered his acceptance speech. He was quite matter of fact about his not so uncommon background as a little boy from a small Wisconsin town. He is not the usual Washington boy. In fact, his lack of political experience may stand Mitt Romney in good stead in the months to come. Most republican believe that Paul Ryan would make a good vice president.

Paul Ryan described Mitt Romney as “a man of excellence and integrity”. He said, “America is an idea” and vowed to bring back the glory days for the American people. Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, was confident that he would win the presidential race. Paul Ryan said that was a critical moment in American history.  

The rise and fall of the euro zone

The financial crisis that has gripped the world is centered on the euro zone. The present financial crisis began in 2007 and it has gripped the entire world. It began in America and quickly spread throughout the word. Most European countries are in the grip of this terrible crisis that is unparalleled in history.

America is struggling to get out of this present financial crisis. Recent economic data coming out of from the United States has shown that the American economy is slowing down. This is not good news. European countries such as Spain and Italy are also experiencing the worst economic crisis.

The unemployment rate in America is stuck at 8.2% for a very long time. As the November presidential elections approach, it is becoming increasingly clear that joblessness is going to play a key role in who is elected as the next president of America. Whatever happens in America has a great influence on the economy of the euro zone. Hence, it is vitally important for Europe that the American economy improves rapidly.

The Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney seems to have no idea as to how to go beating President Barak Obama.                  On his campaign trail, Mitt Romney has often cited Barak Obama’s impossible ideas expressed regarding the health care system. Healthcare has become a very important election issue in the coming presidential elections. This could be a key determinant factor in the elections. How Mitt Romney goes about attacking Barak Obama’s health care system could be the key to whether he is elected to the White House.

The crisis in Europe seems to be getting worse all the time every week. The recent elections in Greece have proved to be a blessing in disguise for Greece alone. Many financial analysts believe that Greece behead will eventually leave the euro zone. There seems to be no way out for Greece. Austerity is not going to allow the Greek economy to grow. On the other hand, austerity is a necessary condition for obtaining the bailout money.

If Greece decides to leave the comfort of the euro zone then this could spell trouble for the entire euro zone. Greece could be followed by Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Ireland. The entire breakup of the euro zone is conceivable. It would be only a matter of time before the entire euro zone breaks up, and the euro collapses. Some financial analysts believe that the euro will eventually collapse, as there is too much debt in the euro zone countries. Even the best economy in the word, the United States, has a debt that is equivalent to its national GDP.

The debt of the United States is more than $15 trillion. This is a huge amount of debt. To get rid of this debt, it will take many years. Meanwhile, China is hard on the heels of America. China has become the second biggest economy in the world. China is followed by Germany and Japan. Some countries are considered as emerging economies. These emerging economies are called the BRIC the countries. These countries are Brazil, Russia, India, and China. However, growth in these countries is also beginning to slow down. The global economy is in the slowdown mode, and it is going to take some time to bring it back to normal growth mode.

                                                                                                                                                

The American dream

International relations have improved considerably between India and the United States of America. However, more needs to be done. It is becoming increasingly clear that more Indians are going to the west in search of better opportunities.

Indians as a matter of rule go to English-speaking countries in such a better jobs. Countries such as New Zealand and Australia along with Canada and the United States are great places for Indians to find new opportunities. It is becoming increasingly clear that Indians are finding great jobs in the IT market. Today some of the finest engineers in the Silicon Valley region are from India. California has the largest number of Indians working in the IT sector.

America is a great place to be because it offers you plenty of scope for self-improvement. It is a place where your hopes and dreams can really come true. However, America is also a place where you need to be careful because crime in most American cities is very high. New York City has one of the highest crime rates. Washington DC has a very high rate of homicides.

However, America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Millions of dreams have come true in America and you too could be one of them. How you chose to live in America is entirely up to you. If you want to further your education than the American University is probably the best place to get an education. If you have a college degree, then you will have a great opportunity of finding a good job in America.

People from all over the word have made America their home. Hence, America has become the cultural boiling pot of the word. You would find people of all nationalities and backgrounds in America.

The present financial crisis in America is threatening to tear apart the economic fabric of this great nation. There does not appear to be any solution to the present financial crisis and jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate. Politicians on both the sides of the aisle are trying hard and desperately seeking measures to improve the economy.

It is going to take a lot of hard work to bring America back to the pre-session days. Many cities such as Detroit and Chicago are facing financial crises of a magnitude that has never been seen since the late 1930s. More than 50% of young men and women are out of work in Detroit. This city was once the fastest developing cities in America. Today it is only a shadow of its former self.

It is not entirely clear what Democrats and Republicans intend to do. Both parties seem to be at loggerheads and they are divided in their efforts to improve the economy. The presidential elections in November will determine who really runs the economy from the White House. President Barak Obama does not seem to have any idea as to how to go about increasing jobs.

America is at a crossroads. Soon very hard and difficult decisions will have to be made by the politicians in Congress. The road ahead is difficult and it is possible that it could take many years before America and gets back to its glorious days.

The use of computers for Forex trading

Today computers and the internet have made it possible for anyone to trade online and make a living. If you have some extra cash, it could be a good idea to start trading online. It is easy as there are many online trading platforms that allow anyone to start trading immediately. Trading online is a highly risky venture and hence you should weigh all your risks before venturing into the world of the stock market.

Trading online

There are many financial instruments that you can trade online. You can trade stocks and indices and you can even trade metals. Precious metals such as gold and silver are traded on a daily basis and there is great potential for profit. You can even trade oil and shares of various private companies listed on the various stock exchanges of the world.

However, one of the most sought after trading instrument is currencies. Millions of people trade in currencies every day. Trading in currencies is called Forex and it stands for foreign exchange.

Currency trading is probably the riskiest trading financial instrument and if you have no idea of trading in currencies then it is best you learn all about it before venturing into this field. You can trade various currencies and all currencies are always traded in pairs. For instance, you can trade the EUR/USD currency pair. This is the pair of currencies comprising the Euro Dollar and the US Dollar. Today currency trading runs into trillions of dollars every day. It is impossible for anyone to manipulate currencies, as the volume is very large. Even big banks and financial institutions cannot manipulate currency trading.

The risks involved

The risks involved in currency trading are very high. You must understand the risks before commencing trading or else you could lose all your money very quickly.