Brian Gongol
- Segment 1: The new Federal health-care law includes a provision that taxes the makers of medical devices. The theory, perhaps, is that the device-makers earn profits from health care, and thus they need to contribute to controlling the costs. But that's not really how taxes work. There's a shared tax burden between the seller and the buyer inside any transaction; it just depends on who needs the deal the most. The party with the most to lose if the exchange doesn't happen is the one that shares more of the implied cost of the tax, no matter who actually writes the check to the government. So if you use a medical device and really, really depend upon it, then you're probably paying more of the tax than the device-maker does, even if they're the one cutting the check to Uncle Sam. It's complete and utter nonsense to assume that the cost of a tax like this comes straight out of the profits earned by the device-makers.
- Segment 2: A slow period for big companies could make this a really good time to buy stocks, if you're in it for the long term. Some early earnings reports make it sound like the last quarter wasn't a real boom time for business, so if you have the patience to buy and hold for the long term, this could be a good opportunity to buy into a slow market.
- Segment 3: Another grandstanding politician: This one wants to ban energy drinks in Chicago. Nevermind that a lot of coffee drinks contain far more caffeine than any can of Red Bull. Facts never seem to get in the way of an attention hound when there are cameras in the way.
- Segment 4: You shouldn't call yourself a "guru" online. It's just plain bad form, and it's a great way to ensure that nobody serious takes you seriously.
- Despite the rumors (including one about which a caller inquired tonight), RFID tags aren't going to be poked into your skin under Obamacare. There are plenty of reasons to oppose components of the new Federal health-care law without making up ridiculous rumors, too. Buying into ridiculous rumors only makes it harder for people to see clearly.