4/29/2012 update

Important Disclaimer: This information is provided for entertainment purposes only. No sane person would use this information for anything other than a small chuckle or a big laugh. Your investment decisions are your responsibility. But if you want a laugh, keep reading.

https://www.tsp.gov/investmentfunds/fundsoverview/fundManagement.shtml

I haven’t done a thing since my last update, still 70% in the L Income fund, 15% in the C Fund, and 15% in the S Fund.  We’ve made some nice money since that move, not too much but enough to justify the risk (in hindsight, hahaha).

I am just now seriously considering a Seasonal Strategy, where I’d go purely defensive (100% L Income) on May 1st, then shift back to purely offensive (30% C Fund, 30% S Fund, and 40% L Income fund) on Nov 1st.  I’m going to think about this between now and Tuesday morning, 9AM Pacific time, and I’ll try to post up here before I do anything.

G’day all, and may God continue to bless America!

The power of ideas

The power of ideas is highly over-rated.  To put it simply and bluntly, the power does not come from the idea.  It comes from the driving force behind the idea.  Newt Gingrich calls for renewed exploration of space and the reaction is a great big “splat”.  James Cameron calls for renewed exploration of space and the reaction is a great big “WOW!”.

Exploration of space for commercial purposes isn’t going to happen, but it illustrates the difference in outcomes depends not on the idea, but on the driving force behind it.

For those so inclined, life becomes a quest to acquire that driving force.  The ability to influence events, guide outcomes, make a difference.  And this is where good people go off the tracks.  This quest for driving force has been the end of a lot of formerly good people, and the graveyard of a few otherwise-worthwhile ideas.

If the power lay in the idea itself, it wouldn’t corrupt the people who support it.  The driving force wouldn’t be necessary, there would be no need for followers, movements, unions, parties, clubs, churches.  We would live in a world ruled by philosopher-kings.  As likely as that is to happen, that’s how likely it is that politics can provide ethical and equitable governance.

Having a “better” idea just isn’t that important.  Matching up a good idea with the most benign possible driving force is a much superior combination.  I don’t know where that benign driving force comes from, but I suspect it comes from limited democracy and citizen-politicians.  In the American Idolized nation we have become, there might not be an answer.

Only time will tell.  As we wait to find out, may God continue to bless America!

4/12/2012 update

Important Disclaimer: This information is provided for entertainment purposes only. No sane person would use this information for anything other than a small chuckle or a big laugh. Your investment decisions are your responsibility. But if you want a laugh, keep reading.

I’ve ordered a trade in my TSP account to adjust my position to:
L Income:  70%
C Fund:  15%
S Fund:  15%

So my overall position is 50% equities (weighted toward US markets) and 50% fixed income (with a smattering of bonds thrown in).  I have no idea what else to do.

Be careful out there.  And may God continue to bless America.