Sid Mittra
    Emeritus Professor

STRENGTHENED

S:  Serious Economic Problems facing America

T:  Task of Making College Education Universally Affordable

R :  Retiring Comfortably: Dream or Reality

E:  Ever-changing Complexity of Investment World

N: National Debt: Is Continuous Growth Sustainable?

G: Growing Concern over Inadequate Savings

T: Taxes: Does Current System Need a Major Overhaul? 

H: Health Care Affordable for All: Reality or Mirage?

E:  Economic Impact of Climate Change

N:  Never-ending Challenge of Addressing Inequality Problem         

E:  Estate Planning: Does Everyone Need It?

D: Dealing with World’s Economic Problems

STRENGTHENED: This acronym represents the following twelve carefully-selected topics that are at the forefront of the world’s complex social and economic problems: 1. America’s Economic Problems. 2. College Education. 3. Retirement. 4. Investment. 5. National Debt. 6. Economic Growth. 7. Taxes. 8. Health Care. 9. Climate change. 10. Dismal World’s Economic Picture. 11. Estate Planning. 12. World’s Economic Problems.

Periodically, in a random fashion, we plan to publish blogs covering these topics Each blog will consist of 700-1,000 words and will be written in a simple, non-technical language. Ostensibly, due to the nature and limited length of our blogs, we will be able to cover only limited aspects of the critical issues. For those interested in more advanced material, appropriate links will be provided in the blogs.  

Serious Economic Problems facing America

Currently America is facing a growing number of diverse economic problems, exacerbating the complexity of many complicated economic and social issues. We will examine the pros and cons of the economic aspects of these problems/ in a constructive manner.

Task of Making College Education Universally Affordable

During this presidential election cycle, suggestions have ranged from making college education free to leaving the current system unaltered. We will present these issues in a simple but comprehensive manner, laying the foundation for making an informed judgment about this complex issue. 

Retiring Comfortably: Dream or Reality

This is unquestionably the most contentious issue facing the country today. Suggestions range from expecting the government to do more for retirees, to taxing the rich to increase the Social Security payments, to asking Americans to take responsibility for their own financial future. We will explain these critical issues in simple terms, making along the way our suggestions for a desirable outcome.

Ever-changing Complexity of Investment World

Today’s investment world looks vastly different from the way it looked in the 1970s and 1980s. Navigation through this complex world is both challenging and intimidating. We will publish several blogs, each blog addressing different aspects of this topic.

National Debt: Is Continuous Growth Sustainable?  

Up until now, Americans have not been concerned with the federal debt problem. But now that the total federal debt has surpassed the country’s annual gross domestic product, and the end is nowhere in sight, our challenge will be to present the topic in a simple, understandable manner and then focus on certain aspects that deserve further consideration.

Growing Concern over Inadequate Savings

Americans are notorious for their preference for present consumption over future savings. We will discuss this issue with candor, and provide solutions for handling this on-going problem.

Taxes: Does Current System Need a Major Overhaul?

Nothing is more controversial than the current tax system. We will simplify the complex tax field, singling out only those aspects that need further attention. We will also keep the emotion out, focusing on the economic aspects of the problem.  

Health Care Affordable for All: Reality or Mirage?

The Presidential Election debates have brought this topic to the forefront. Few people argue against providing medical care for all. But the consensus breaks down when we try to fine the best way to pay for the services. Clearly, this is an emotional issue, and our task is cut out for presenting in an understanding manner the pros and cons of this contentious topic.

Economic Impact of Climate Change

The U.N. is currently struggling with this massive problem with no solution in sight. We will present the economic costs and benefits of handling the existing situation so you will have a grasp of the key issues involved with this world problem.

Never-ending Challenge of Addressing Inequality Problem

The inequality problem, which has always existed in America, appears to be getting worse. We will examine the causes of this phenomenon and suggest practical ways of handling it. I

Estate Planning: Does Everyone Need It?

Most Americans are not concerned with estate planning, because they believe it is only for the rich. Nothing could be further from the truth. We will dispel this myth and present arguments for everyone to actively participate in having an effective estate plan.

Dealing with World’s Economic Problems. We live in an interconnected world in which what happens to other parts of the world can affect America. We will discuss some of world’s economic problems that can have an impact on America.

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