Inviting entrepeneurs to immigrate

Just saw my cousin who has emigrated from the US to Scottland under an “Entrepenuers Visa”. The concept is that the UK makes it far easier to immigrate into their country if you are going to start, or expand a business and hire others in the process. Their structure may not be perfect but the idea is a winner.

We need more entrepreneurs in the US as well. We have a similar program in the US. However the program tends to be designed around "politically correct" measurements. As I have mentioned in other posts, not all jobs are created equally. A job that results in substantial exports abroad is far more valuable than one that make use a bit more comfortable at home. But that aside, entrepreneurs are a net plus for any economy.

The notion of allowing new immigrants based on their ethnicity, or a limit per country or if they have family in the US might garner votes, but it does not make us stronger economically.

Not everyone has the mindset to be an entrepreneur. But we are not running a charity here. We are talking about bringing in new blood to our country – and hopefully new thinking that will make us stronger, not more politically correct.

Find Lucky and Good: Risks, Decisions and Bets for Investors, Traders and Entrepreneurs at Amazon.

Diversity for fair weather sports fans

The advantage for fair weather fans of living (or rooting) in a large metropolitan area is that you have several teams from which to choose. In the Bay Area we have the 49ers, the Giants, the A’s, the Stanford Cardinal, the Cal Bears and the San Jose State Spartans (well they don’t really count). One of these has got to have a good season.

In the Atlanta area they have the Georgia Bulldogs (not much of a year so far), the Atlanta Braves who were in contention until the end, the Atlanta Falcons (who are doing well) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

So this is all about diversifying one’s emotional bets. But if you live in Eugene or Boise it is do or die. One team and one fate!

What do we do now?

So we now have a bit of stalemate in Washington (much better than where we were). So what should both parties agree to work on? Here is my list:

1. Establish a system for state bankruptcies.
2. Require that grossly underfunded public pensions to freeze benefits at today’s levels.
3. Cut unnecessary federal programs and expenses.
4. Cut unnecessary and wasteful federal regulation.
5. Finish up in Iraq and Afghanistan and get out of Dodge.
6. Start to close down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.