PORTAL Finance Blog

Category Archives: Government

Obamacare Effects: How the New Law Might Affect Your Business

If you’re a small business owner, you’re probably curious about the “Obamacare effects”. That is, the effects that the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will have on your business. As with any major (or minor) … Continue reading →

December 2, 2011 at 4:00 pm | Business, Business Strategy, Government

The Postal Service and Rationalization

The U.S. Postal Service announced that it is taking another shot at reducing its operating costs.  Fresh off of an $8.5 billion loss in 2010, the Postal Service is proposing to eliminate 7,500 jobs over two years and close 2,000 … Continue reading →

April 2, 2011 at 1:18 am | Government

Open Letter to Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud

Dear Prince Alwaleed, I first read about you when I was a teenager. Over the years, I have watched your interviews on Charlie Rose and various other U.S. business news programs. You speak extremely well and you strike me as … Continue reading →

February 27, 2011 at 8:23 pm | Government

The U.S. Confidence Game

The early news is that the U.S. government’s much-heralded $30 billion small community business lending program is not faring well.  One community bank CEO speaks of plenty of capital, but “paltry” loan demand.  When will the U.S. government figure it … Continue reading →

September 24, 2010 at 5:53 pm | Business, Government, SBA Small Business

Kabul Bank: A Familiar Story

With great interest, I have been following the story of Kabul Bank in Afghanistan.  The story has all of the makings of an international thriller:  allegations of massive fraud to the tune of $300 million in Bank losses, political favors, … Continue reading →

September 12, 2010 at 2:50 pm | Government

A Ray of Light in the Mortgage Market

In a refreshing sign for the mortgage market, several state agencies have started programs to assist first-time homebuyers.  In my opinion, the most impressive part of the process is that a counselor works with the proposed borrowers to educate them … Continue reading →

September 5, 2010 at 1:56 pm | Government, Real Estate

New York Times Headline U.S. Offers Aid to Rescue Pakistanis and Reclaim Image

Do our politicians really think that all of us are asleep?  I am starting to get the feeling that they really do believe that.  In the face of one of the steepest economic downturns in our country’s history, the U.S. … Continue reading →

August 15, 2010 at 5:20 pm | Government

The Hypocrisy of America

Disclaimer:  Please be seated prior to reading this article.  It will be in the best interests of your health and well-being. $8.7 billion in funds out of $9.1 billion spent by the Defense Department in Iraq 2004-2007 is unaccounted for.  … Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 at 8:02 pm | Government

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