Dan Nestlerode

For the past five years, the Obama administration has been delaying the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline that is proposed to run from Canada to a terminal in the Midwest and then on to the refineries on the Gulf Coast.

It seems to me that the world is falling back into isolation, fear, and feuding. We don’t have the enlightened leaders, here or abroad, who can make the world a safer place for everyone.

Those who no longer trade their time for money (what we call work) are now living on their investments … At two percent, a million dollars generates just $20,000 a year or $1,667 per month, hardly a living income for those with seven figure aspirations.

So here we are looking into the future — trying to perceive what the New Year will bring investors in the stock market. Since 1950, the January barometer has been remarkably accurate. “Down” Januarys have been followed by a new or continued bear market, a 10% correction, or a flat year.

The technology that enables us to live longer comes with the need to accumulate capital to accomplish things one person’s wealth alone could not accomplish. Capitalism and the investment markets were born as a result.

All investors must stay nimble in this environment by maintaining the ability to sell quickly if the situation warrants. Investors must pay attention and follow the daily price movements of their investments to be aware of the changes that are inevitable …

Exploring the wonders of smoking ended badly when my friend Slater and I smoked a pack of Camels in a half hour and we were both a tad green. I never went back, regardless of the coolness of the cigarette advertising.

It will be a miracle if the Affordable Care Act ever works as advertised. The notion that you could add thirty million more consumers to the health care system without increasing the number of health care providers or organizations defies all logic.

Banks cannot force people to borrow money. Borrowers have a responsibility to understand the commitment they are undertaking and to follow the time tested financial principles of mortgage loans and home ownership.