Public-finance

Dr. Smith's book is fresh air in this political season of rhetoric concerning the so-called budget surplus. He has done an excellent job of tracing our country's economic policies through the various administrations of both major parties and helps one to understand how we got to today's situation.

I was especially struck at the fairness and even-handedness of Dr. Smith when dealing with both Democratic and Republican stances on the "surplus". He is very hard on Presidents Johnson and Reagan in creating the national debt that threatens our national economic well-being. He is also critical of both Al Gore and George W. Bush in their proposed uses of the "surplus".

This book is also well written. Dr. Smith has an uncanny way of taking complicated economic principles and rewording them in a straight forward, easy-to-understand format that was refreshing to read.

In summary I enthusiastically give this book the highest rating! It is a book for all open-minded persons how are willing to look beyond the rhetoric of today's politicians and seek the truth .

Dr. Smith's book is fresh air in this political season of rhetoric concerning the so-called budget surplus. He has done an excellent job of tracing our country's economic policies through the various administrations of both major parties and helps one to understand how we got to today's situation.

I was especially struck at the fairness and even-handedness of Dr. Smith when dealing with both Democratic and Republican stances on the "surplus". He is very hard on Presidents Johnson and Reagan in creating the national debt that threatens our national economic well-being. He is also critical of both Al Gore and George W. Bush in their proposed uses of the "surplus".

This book is also well written. Dr. Smith has an uncanny way of taking complicated economic principles and rewording them in a straight forward, easy-to-understand format that was refreshing to read.

In summary I enthusiastically give this book the highest rating! It is a book for all open-minded persons how are willing to look beyond the rhetoric of today's politicians and seek the truth .

Dr. Allen W. Smith has written accurately and understandably about a topic that usually well informed citizens avoid. We have heard such a drumbeat of the phrase "budget surplus". What is behind the numbers? Smith rightly complains that the total of the operating budget and the social security budget should not be added together to arrive at the size of the "surplus". Social security funds are owned by the SS Trust. They are not a kitty for program expansion or tax relief. The SOCIAL SECURITY surplus comes from a tax plan that was intended to shore it up for the future. By contrast, the operating budget surplus for 1999 was real but small. Projections for the future do anticipate a rise but with dubious assumptions of long term continuous expansion. Smith reminds us of our existing debt of $5.6 trillion at the end of 1999, requiring over $353 billion to finance. He criticizes both political parties for not putting the budget numbers in context and not advocating responsible fiscal policy. Smith has written several well received books and has been interviewed by CNN and numerous radio talk shows. This book is necessary to citizen literacy on economic policy for the present and future. Review by Victor Stolzfus, Ph.D, President Emeritus, Goshen College (IN)

A classic. There is little like this book in public domain. Pring takes Intermarket analysis between stocks, bonds, commodities, and short term rates/Fed policy, and combines them into a business cycle model and framework. Outstanding piece of high level analytical work. Pring divides the business cycle into 6 stages, and describes how to identify the beginning and ending of the stages, and what to expect in between, but then he offers the jewel: what to expect from the tradeable financial markets during each phase of the cycle, and how to allocate to capitalize. In the hands of a serious investor, this is a roadmap that provides historical perspective and brings confidence in identifying sector trends earlier than you might with technical analysis by itself. E.g., it won't surprise you when the financial sector begins rallying when bonds bottom and turn up, and you can take positions earlier and with more confidence when you have historical business cycle perspective on your side. Best treatise on dynamic asset allocation I've seen. Makes the static allocation texts seem pointless and a way to "guarantee" investment mediocrity. A classic.

Mr. McKain likes to reference show business in his book. And what makes a movie great is how it develops a tight plot and then keeps its audience engaged. This book contains enough good material to fill 50 pages but then is streteced to 200. Mr. McKain's biographical perspective of himself is also a little too much for my taste.

A couple good concepts, but generally a weak and unengaging read.

I know and admire Scott McKain. He is Vice Chairman of a business conglomerate and a veteran media personality. His insights into how regular businesses can learn much from the entertainment industry are right on target. Learn, as I have, how to attract an audience, win them over, hold their attention, stimulate word of mouth promotion and gain their allegiance. Build a following for your business like entertainment companies do for theirs.
Not only is this fascinating, it is also fun to read. Scott has visited with John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and scores of other celebrities, many of the stars of the music industry, TV executives, talent agents, business owners and best selling authors to bring you ideas that will create a blockbuster for you!

I heard Scott McKain speak at a meeting recently. Following the presentation, our company gave each dealer a copy of this book. I am now buying more copies for my employees. I think this is one of the better business books I have read. It is one of the few that combines ideas with specific points on how to use them. I don't know that I could give it a better recommendation than the fact that I have read it and now I want the people who work with me to read it.