Laslo Weger - Business

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The government should not follow the principles of Keynesian economics during a recession. "Keynesian economics" is to "economics" what "Maoist democracy" is to "democracy".

Lehman Brothers should not have been bailed out by the federal government. Indeed, the US should implement a heavy tax on companies "too big to fall" so that they do not grow that big.

Companies should not receive tax breaks for offering telecommuting-only employment. The State should have no interest in whether companies offer telecommuting or not. Gas usage/whatever notwithstanding.

Race and ethnicity should not be a factor in hiring and promotion. Unless, of course, it is _my_ race and ethnicity that is hired and promoted... [sarcastic smile here]

Congress should not enact the Employee Free Choice Act. Secret ballot is sacred.

Businesses do not have a social responsibility. The only responsibility of a business is to maximize owner's profit. One important part of that responsibility is adherence to both letter and spirit of contracts the business has entered (as lawsuits are extremely costly), and some call it "social responsibility".

There should be no federal minimum wage. This should be left to market forces.

Communities should not be allowed to print their own currency for use at local businesses. That is one of the stupidest ideas I have heard in a looooong time (more or less since "Let's kill Saddam for 9/11!").

Legalization of marijuana would have a positive effect on the economy. Potentially (as opposed to really mangled by politicians). Lots of resources wasted on "war against the weed" would be properly utilized, young people would not be pushed into criminal life by imprisoning them for a puff, etc.

Capitalism is the most effective economic system. Individual ownership of the means of production is, for now, the only economic system (of the three mentioned) shown to work for a reasonable period of time.

It was appropriate for the Obama Administration to force GM's CEO Rick Wagoner to resign. As long as the GM takes government money, government tells them how to run the business. Pretty obvious.

Of course, in a sane world, government would not meddle with private enterprise, and private enterprise would flourish or fail on their own merits. But that chapter of American history is over.

The U.S. dollar should be the world's reserve currency. On one hand it makes us more complacent, but on the other hand it gives us something to be complacent about. Having the world reserve currency puts us in the position of strength.

The proposed 90% tax on AIG bonuses is not constitutional. Ex post facto bill of attainder...

AIG should be forced to reveal the names of executives that received bonuses. AIG is at the moment a publicly traded company. Thus the names and the compensation of their executives should be published.

Congress should not tax AIG bonuses. This is one of the real sources of our problems: moronic congress passing, in knee-jerk reactions, idiotic and unconstitutional laws. Besides, it is the AIG board of directors who approved the executive compensation packages; it is the board who has the legal duty to oversee the working of the company, and dropping the ball, it is the board who should be rounded up and sent to Gitmo.

The government should allow large banks to fail. And more importantly, the antitrust laws should be amended so that there is no banks "too big to fail". As I long

argued

Commercial airlines should serve peanuts. The food allergy dangers are way overblown.

The economic stimulus plan should not include a 'Buy American' provision. From purely pragmatic point of view: China, EU, or India will surely retaliate in the inevitable trade war. In balance, we will lose many more jobs than we would create thanks to that provision.

Pepsi's new logo is worse. There should also be an option "the same", which is what I actually feel. I checked "worse" just because I do not like opportunistic changes like that.

The U.S. economic recovery package will not lead to GDP growth. Just paying the interest on the trillions dollars borrowed will be enough to decrease our GDP. Besides, since when government spending leads to increase of GDP?

Governments should not nationalize insolvent banks in response to the financial crisis. If I wanted communism, I would be living in Cuba, thank you very much.

The government should regulate salaries of companies who have received bailout funds. First, there should be no bailout. Second, once the government decided to give my money to these crooks, it should at least make sure that not all of it goes into the executive bonuses.

Management is most responsible for the U.S. auto industry's financial problems. They are the ultimately responsible party. They let the costs (including labor contracts) grow, they slept while the competition ate their lunches, and they did not think about rainy days. Now they are making terrorist threats: "give us ransom or we will

Union dues should not be mandatory for non-union employees. That's plain racket. On the other hand, it should be mandatory for everyone to pay into Laslo Weger Retirement Fund.

Hedge funds should not be subjected to greater regulatory scrutiny. The only regulation needed is a minimum net worth of an investor.

The U.S. federal government should not provide financial support to its auto industry. Borrowing another gazillion from China to prop the antediluvian behemoths is pretty stupid. Let them keel over and be replaced by efficient car producers.

Short-selling has a positive effect on financial markets. Short sellers are like pack of wolves keeping the ecosystem in balance.

Tobacco companies should not be liable for smoke-related health problems. By now everyone and their dogs know that smoking will kill you. If they want to commit suicide, go ahead.

The government should not regulate in-flight entertainment. Why would any normal person want to pay more taxes (so that entertainment censors can be hired) on something like that???

The financial crisis will not lead to another economic depression. There is no causal relationship between these two. They simply have a common source. And yes, that common source is the inept (to be generous) federal government, borrowing like there's no tomorrow, and stealing everything not bolted down (although it se

Employers should monitor employee Internet access in the workplace. It's the employer's time and employer's money. They could and should monitor what happens to their resources.

The U.S. should not build more oil refineries. Refineries should be build by a private interests, not by the US. US should just get out of the way...

Supply and demand is having the greatest impact on rising oil prices. This is easy, as the only two known direct factors in price (in constant dollars) of a commodity is (1) supply and demand and (2) governmental regulations. Everything else either impacts the supply or demand (e.g., geopolitical instability or cartel agree

Obese travelers should pay more for airline tickets. We consume more resources (space, fuel...) so we should pay more... That's only fair. Additionally, that may be an economic incentive to shed a couple of pounds.

Victims of major natural disasters should not be granted special relief in bankruptcy. What about a medium size natural disaster? Small one? Just a lightning striking one house? A disaster is a disaster, and if one didn't prepare for it (e.g., getting proper insurance), he or she shouldn't require me to pay for them.

The government should not offer cash rewards to citizens for developing new technology. There is a place for government funded basic research, but anything else belongs properly to the private sector.

Governments should not subsidize property insurance coverage for natural disasters. What is wrong with everyone? Nothing but gimme gimme gimme.

Organic farmers should not receive additional federal subsidies. Why do everyone and their dog want taxpayer money? Oh, wait. Silly question...

The government should not prohibit the financial services industry from executing universal default clauses. In this case, less regulation == more efficient services.

Performance fees of hedge fund managers should be taxed as regular income. However, those who know how to game the system, will avoid the taxes whichever way they are set...