#56 Markets, Trump Raid, IRS Agents, Tesla, Streaming Wars

August 14, 2022

Markets 

  • Yes, We’re in a recession, but White House attempting to change the definition after …centuries…forever? Recession is 2 quarters of negative GDP. 
  • Inflation at 8.5%. 
  • US stocks down 24% and Tech down 31% on June 17. Now: 12% and 18%, respectively. 

Politics

  • Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan. Prompts drills and missile tests by China. Do we really need this right now? Is that a good idea? Does it advance American interests? Since 1979 and under many administrations - left and right - we’ve maintained a policy of “Strategic Ambiguity”.
  • Raid on Trump’s Mar a Lago. 
    • Could be Nuke materials…in that case…kind of serious. 
    • Why not just make photo-copies. Or take pics on iPhone. So easy!? 
    • Could there be a master plan. I thought the locker room talk would lock him out of the presidency.  
  • IRS
    • 70000 new agents. Requirements: 
    • 37 yrs old requirement. 
    • Adhere to the highest standards of conduct especially meeting honesty and integrity.
    • Work a minimum of 50 hours per week which may include irregular hours and be on call 24/7 including holidays and weekends. 
    • Maintain a level of Fitness necessary to effectively respond to life-threatening situations on the job.
    • Carry a firearm and be willing to use deadly force if necessary.
    • Be willing and able to participate in arrest and execution of search warrants and other dangerous assignments.
  • IRS Math: 
    • Elon on National Debt: “US national debt is ~$28,900 billion or ~$229k per taxpayer.Even taxing all “billionaires” at 100% would only make a small dent in that number, so obviously the rest must come from the general public. This is basic math.Spending is the real problem.”

Tesla 

Elon 18 years. And running 3 others:  Including SpaceX, which landed first rocket in 2015 no one has done so since.  

Streaming Wars: 

Recommendations: 

  • Obstacle is the way. Ryan Holiday. 
  • Happiness corresponds to how much you think about yourself vs. others! 
  • Terminal List. Chris Pratt
  • Old Man w/ Jeff Bridges
I'm Sean Hathaway

Hi, I'm Sean

20 years of finance experience and obsessed with high quality results.

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