State of The Union 2012

[nathanm]

Back to Bain, have they exhibited a track record of parcelling physical assets in this manner?

They do have a track record of bleeding companies dry with management fees and overloading them with debt. I haven't looked much into Bain specifically, though, so I don't know how far beyond that it goes. My real question is this, though: Why do PE partners get to pay long term capital gains rates? Even if you think that Bain and its ilk are economically necessary, which I don't completely disagree with, by the way, why (if you do) do you think they should get special tax treatment for what they do?

I'm not convinced that PE firms aren't mostly a drain on the nonfinancial economy, much less that they are so socially and economically useful that we should offer them a steady diet of carrots to keep them in the same line of business.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Reading that article, they don't sound too dooshy, now do they?

I didn't say there are - I said they have a mixed bag of performance.  The list of companies on that one link showed a pretty good performance overall to my way of thinking.  When they rip something up, there seems to be a little more thought put into it than average and ripping a company apart is pretty much by definition a violent act.


The example I gave was a bleeding dry and overloading with debt example for sure - and it wasn't a VC that did it....

[heironymouspasparagus]

Obviously, a PE would add some sort of perceived or actual value (i.e. better management structure implemented after the purchase) otherwise they could not sell off a company at a profit.

Slap a coat of paint on the buildings, put a little lipstick on that pig and get it out the door as quick as possible...


....better management structure....

Man, I just love some of the little quips you come up with sometimes!  They bring a humorous little touch to the discussion!

LOL!  ...better management structure....  still chuckling to myself.  Thanks for that one!

[heironymouspasparagus]

I'm not convinced that PE firms aren't mostly a drain on the nonfinancial economy, much less that they are so socially and economically useful that we should offer them a steady diet of carrots to keep them in the same line of business.

It is not due to any social or economic benefit.  It is because they know exactly the right people to buy in Congress.  And offer exciting insider tidbits that the insider traders of Congress get to benefit from.  Tit for tat.  Quid pro quo (sp?).

[heironymouspasparagus]

If one is gonna talk about VC or PE or hedge fund guys, then should probably just go to the biggest.  Bridgewater Associates.

Ray Dalio has published an interesting treatise called "Principles".  Required reading at BW.  Haven't made my way through the whole thing, but it certainly is shaping up to be an interesting read.

http://www.bwater.com/Uploads/FileManager/Principles/Bridgewater-Associates-Ray-Dalio-Principles.pdf

[Teatownclown]

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-last-word/46158377

Consumer protection bureau.... tweek it up a bit!

Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma hall of famer!

This is good!

[Teatownclown]

Texas Congressman Invites Ted Nugent, Who Threatened The President's Life, To The State Of The Union

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/02/11/1571751/texas-congressman-invites-ted-nugent-who-threatened-the-presidents-life-to-the-state-of-the-union/


The disrespect that the GOP/Scumbaggers show for the office of President is nutty. How would they respond had the dims brought Jane Fonda into the chambers in 1970?

Amazing. Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX) must be a complete loon.

[Gaspar]

Yada yada yada green jobs. Yada yada yada bold plan.  Yada yada yada teachers, police, and firemen.  Yada yada yada fair share.  Yada yada yada number one priority.  Yada yada yada will work with congress.  Yada yada yada most comprehensive yada yada.  If congress won't yada yada yada yada yada yada.  Yada yada yada we can't afford yada yada yada.  Yada yada yada all I'm askin is yada yada.  Yada yada yada vision for America.

No need to actually watch this one. 

[Conan71]

Nugent called President Obama a criminal and denounced his "vile, evil America-hating administration" which is "wiping its donkey with the Constitution." Taking it a step further, he said that "If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year."

Hardly a threat on someone's life.  How does it feel to be a mindless pawn in the war on common sense being waged from the left?

[Teatownclown]

Hardly a threat on someone's life.  How does it feel to be a mindless pawn in the war on common sense being waged from the left?

Oh yea, let's see your opinion when the dims bring fresh baked pies in for Christie's first SOTU. I bet it's Hillary who has one of these pissants hosting the likes of Monica Lewinsky.

[Gaspar]

Apparently it's after 4:20.

[Teatownclown]

Yada yada yada green jobs. Yada yada yada bold plan.  Yada yada yada teachers, police, and firemen.  Yada yada yada fair share.  Yada yada yada number one priority.  Yada yada yada will work with congress.  Yada yada yada most comprehensive yada yada.  If congress won't yada yada yada yada yada yada.  Yada yada yada we can't afford yada yada yada.  Yada yada yada all I'm askin is yada yada.  Yada yada yada vision for America.

No need to actually watch this one.  

Yes, but it would be interesting if POTUS OBAMA speaking on background checks and weapon distribution took past quotes of Ted Nugent to exhibit what law enforcement finds to be harmful to their purpose. Many Americans would be angered if the POTUS slapped Nuge from the podium. Many more would find it refreshing.

[Gaspar]

I guess I'm trying to figure out who the hell cares about Ted?

Seems to offer an odd distraction from any real substance.  Reminds me of that time when we had high unemployment, were printing money like it was going out of style, forign relations around the globe were collapsing, and everyone wanted to talk about vaginas.

[Townsend]

everyone wanted to talk about vaginas.

The tea party wouldn't shut up about them.

[guido911]

I guess I'm trying to figure out who the hell cares about Ted?

Apparently not those that thought inviting Cindy Sheehan to Bush's SOTU. Or that invited those clowns that interrupted McCain during his Convention speech. Here's hoping Ted does the same...Meh. Not caring on second thought.