Inflation

The decade ending this past December 31 was difficult for most investors. One of the broadest equity indexes--the S&P 500--declined by more than 10 percent during the 10 year period that began on January 1 2000. After adjusting for inflation, the decrease during the previous decade was more than 30 percent. However, as discussed by New York Times columnist Ron Lieber, most investors did not begin the decade with a pot of money that remained static from the standpoint of inflows and outflows...

Residencies in the U.S. have been capped at 90,000 per year since 1997 as a result of Congressional attempts to deal with healthcare inflation. According to a recent Bloomberg article: Last year there were 16,721 fewer doctors than needed in inner city and rural areas. By 2025, the U.S. will face a shortfall of as much as 159,300 physicians. This existing physician supply issue will be stoked by health reform and the possibility of 31 million new patients entering the healthcare system with...