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"The moment in which we introduce a tax on financial transactions, of course, everything looks different. Then we can also raise the tax rates." -- EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta

Polls this early are meaningless. In 1980, a week before the election, Carter was up by 3-5 points over Reagan in some polls, then lost in a landslide. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2008/10/reagans_comeback.html But a review of the late 1980 polls shows that while...

That's true, and there are times when I feel a bit complacent. But there's so much at stake here we need to do two things: (a) stick together and (b) keep fighting the pro-FTT gang. If we lose, we lose everything. The FTT is the rallying cry of the unions. Unions have money and votes...

About a month ago I read an article (which I can't find now) stating that Finland would require a referendum on this agreement because of something in their constitution. I haven't heard anything about it since, but this could be another fly in the Merkozy ointment. Also, back in early...

What the hell is Cameron doing? This could be the road to disaster. David Cameron in U-turn over fiscal policing of eurozone http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/27/david-cameron-eu-institutions-eurozone Cameron's concession marks a significant watering down of his previous...

Once they get a foot in the door, there will be no stopping it. Here's what EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta said about the tax rate-setting strategy: "The moment in which we introduce a tax on financial transactions, of course, everything looks different. Then we can also raise the tax...

I think I'm going to throw up.

Perhaps reality is setting in: (a) an EZ-27 agreement is impossible (Britain, Sweden, the Czech Republic and probably Denmark against the FTT) (b) an EZ-17 agreement is close to impossible (Malta, Cyprus, Ireland, Slovenia and probably the Netherlands against the FTT) (c) the best they can...

The last sentence of this quote from the article is a classic: "The French are overwhelmingly in favour of this tax -- both left and right wing voters -- for cultural and historic reasons," said Stephane Rozes, professor of political sciences at French university HEC Sciences Po. "They want...

The timing of this "second assessment" is comical. Denmark takes over the EU Council Presidency and immediately bashes the FTT because it reduces GDP and kills jobs. Then, magically, the EU comes out with new economic projections. What a joke.

The 20% number is consistent with what my Swedish friend told me. He said the government controlled about 20% of the industry. That means about 80% was not controlled by the government. Twenty percent is significant, but it's not a nationalization of the industry. We disagree on the meaning...

Sweden never fully nationalized their banks. Some weak banks were temporarily placed in a type of receivership, recapitalized and then taken public again. It was selective, not a wholesale takeover of the banking industry by the government. Though I do agree that the existing shareholders of...

Sweden did not nationalize their banks. Perhaps you have them confused with Norway.

Decent opening weekend box office gross for Red Tails: $19 million. The production cost was $58 million (plus another $20-30 million in promotion/advertising). As a general rule, films that have an opening weekend box office greater than 30% of the production cost end up making a profit over...

As a general rule, when people get screwed on price it's because (a) they didn't shop around, and (b) they didn't negotiate.

You're right. The hoodies have successfully propagated two evocative FTT messages: 1) The FTT will make the evil bankers pay for the mess they've made. 2) The FTT will raise untold trillions to end poverty and global warming. I know this first-hand from talking to parents of my kids'...

Your idea is on the right track, but this forum is not the place for most people to get their FTT questions answered. Twice I have referred people to this thread, and both times they came away overwhelmed and confused. There's too much information here and it's not organized in a way that an...

It's difficult to be consistently profitable trading just the ES because it goes through periods that will chop up most traders. I trade the ES when there's volatility and range, but walk away when it's quiet and choppy. I track three makets (ES, 6E and CL) and trade what's moving best.

The new EU Council President, Denmark, kicked the FTT to the curb their first day in office. Three cheers for the Danes. Here's some more good news. The EU Council Presidency rotates every six months. The next two EU Presidents after Denmark are Cyprus and Ireland, both of whom have said...

From Malta: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120112/local/EU-presidency-has-no-high-hopes-on-new-tax.401959 EU presidency has no high hopes on new tax “In reality, no one wants this tax apart from France,” a senior official from the Danish Economic Affairs Ministry said.