September 21, 2025
As of 2024, the global economy (GDP) is $114 trillion. The US is $30+ trillion or 27% of the world’s economy.
Lululemon sells high end sportswear sometimes called “athleisure wear.” The retail chain has 750 stores in 25 countries, with almost 3/4 sales coming from US sales. Much of their products are made in Vietnam. This year the company is experiencing declining sales and a huge decline (45%) in share price. What’s wrong? Lululemon does not advertise, new products are unpopular, baggy clothes are fashionable, price slashing sent the wrong message, and their products are easy to counterfeit. I like their “pool slides.”
ICE raided a Hyundai plant in Georgia. The plant is under construction and being built by non-US workers. Four hundred and fifty workers were detained, most from South Korea. Many had no visas, no work permits, expired tourism visas, and no Social Security numbers. How is this possible? Liberals are criticizing ICE and blaming Trump. How did these workers get into the US??? Madness!
A new study has confirmed that the cost of insurance for EV’s is a whooping 49% higher than gas-powered vehicles. The average insurance cost for EV’s is $4,058 compared to $2,732 for gas cars. Wow! The reasons-EV’s cost more, damage easier, and cost more to repair.
The above photo is Wayne Goodwin, DMV leader for NC. He recently resigned. During his tenure the average wait times at DMV facilities rose to 75 minutes, once you get into the building. NC spent $20 million on a consulting agreement to develop improvement ideas. Most were poorly implemented and/or left unfinished. Former governor, Roy Cooper did little to fix any problems. I wrote a 3-page letter to our Sec. of Transportation with all my “process improvement” ideas. I did hear back with assurance my ideas were being reviewed. One final observation-at my local DMV the employees seem slow acting, slow talking, slow moving with little concern about the long lines. This is a management issue.
Zero-sum thinking is the new political phrase. Some people believe that rich people gained their wealth at the expense of poorer people. They think some groups are being held back and thus a government intervention like Affirmative Action, is needed. “I win; you lose.” Some believe immigrants are taking jobs from citizens and clogging schools and hospitals. Some believe international students are filling classrooms spaces, and that resources are scarce, etc. However, most notable economists assert that resources are indeed scarce and thus must be allocated by merit. Economists also know that a strong economy is the best way to pull people out of poverty. Moving $$$’s from one group to another (redistribution) does not work.
Lastly, I find it tragic that state, county and city leaders “allow” many public schools to be underperforming, especially year after year. Third graders, eight graders and HS seniors can’t read or do math. The students fail proficiency exams in reading and math. Yet, these same leaders are the first to “push” policies that grant these students admission to colleges without regard to their academic qualifications. Then, the students borrow $$$$’s and enroll and fail miserably.
On September 14th the NYG played the Cowboys in the NFL. It was supposed to be professional football. But the NYG were penalized 14 times for a total of 160 yards. One player, Hudson, was called for 4 penalties in the first Giant possession. Poor quality entertainment.
Google Images
High Truths and Low Lies 