TPS

Most M&A activity is driven by the urge to eliminate your competition and gain greater control over the market. In fact, I'd venture to say that investment in real assets probably declines after M&A activity which creates greater market concentration and less competition. While a single firm has "grown" via a merger, the industry has not. If the purpose of the capital gains tax is to promote economic growth through rewarding risk-taking by businesses, mergers that reduce competition certainly don't fuel economic growth. And, if the point is that lower cap gains taxes promotes higher stock prices, that certainly doesn't provide an incentive for M&A activity. Regarding your last point, that's what I said--stock prices are driven by profits/earnings. But Investment is driven by expectations of greater sales and earnings. No firm invests unless they think they can realize those higher earnings.

Any company that relies on investor confidence for its investment policy won't last very long. I'm not ignoring the link in stock prices and investment; I'm saying that it has very little (almost no) impact. The most important variable influencing the decision to invest in productive capital by corporations is growth of internal funds/profitability. Any link between stock prices and investment is mostly a consequence of how stock prices are influenced by growth in sales and profits. Hey, I thought I was the pompous ass!? I've worked very hard at it. I'll never become #1--the bar is set toohigh here, but surely I should be ranked 2nd?

There is no way the Bills can win this game if they play like the team that's shown up the past two weeks--bad penalties, poor O-line play, and turnovers. All of these suggest a poorly coached team. Geno tends to play better at home as well. The Bills' offense could be dynamic if the O-line could pass protect and create holes for the RBs. If it doesn't happen this week, the only way the Bills can win is if Schwartz's D keeps the Jets to < 13 points. I doubt the offense will breakout against the Jets D. The Bills lose 20 - 13.

since the main problem for the left side of the line appears to be stunts, which means speaks to communication and experience issues between Glenn and Richardson; it remains to be seen if Urbik's experience from his days at RG translate to better play and communication at LG.

As you stated, there are larger rewards for those who take risks. Adding a tax incentive for "risk-taking" is a matter of public policy, not the reward for taking that risk--that's built into the risk premium on any investment. Also, there is a significant distinction between investment by companies vs investing in companies. Buying shares of stocks has almost no impact on the decision of firms to invest in real capital.

Here are a couple takes on how inequality impact economies:http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2010/12/pdf/kumhof.pdf http://www.economonitor.com/nouriel/2011/10/17/full-analysis-the-instability-of-inequality/

Boobie slips out and is open in the last screen shot. Glad KO went to the guy with the best hands though.

no way they can beat the Jets playing like today. They got dam lucky, but you need luck in this age of parity. They will need some more next week. They have to be 5-3 going into the bye in order to have a chance for the post season.

I think it was the second Bills play shown in that link where they had a 2nd and 1 and brought in summers for a run look. I immediately said they are going deep to Watkins. Revis was initially showing press coverage, and just before the snap he started back pedaling. The play never had a chance. The difference with the Pats play calling was constantly changing it up, never knowing if first down was going to be a pass or run. Hackett needs to try that...

Looks like the dumping has turned into a trend. Since Nanker's post, the 10-year Tbond rate has fallen from 2.4% to below 2%, so there has been a nice bump in gains if you were into bonds. I'm trying to figure out when to jump back into equities...? Too much chaos at the moment. I wonder if that idiot Plosser is still worried about excess reserves and inflation? He should be worried about deflation....

This will be a game of winning by cliches: Win the TO battle, run and stop the run, get pressure on Brady. And finally, this is a "defining moment" for the Bills, as they win 30-24

Interesting read and some well thought ideas. All I can add is that this will give us some really interesting insight to Schwartz to see how he defends it. will he be conservative or do something totally off the wall?

Of course. You always see the coordinators of Super Bowl teams get HC jobs the next season. For real, to the naysayers, think Belichick and his results in Cleveland....

The Bills couldn't stop the Pats' run game last year, but also ran well against them. That is the key--run, and stop the run.

That's why I think the offensive production (yards) was pretty significant last game, especially in 2nd half, because it came against the #1 rated defense on their home turf.

I think one of the other major differences between EJ and Orton is that EJ too often checked to the simpler, closer throw. This can be seen in their YPA numbers. EJ is at 6.4 and KO at 7.2. It's not just accuracy; size matters....

Curious, How do you know? Have you seen another screen shot? I'd suspect he's got the deep ball covered, since Orton is already looking to that side of the field?

How else would the "King of Detroit" exit the stadium?

Does he look open when Orton has to make the decision in the first shot? Can you see if there is safety help on that WR?

Yesterday you criticized me (and others) about the use statistics because I focused on the YPG stat, then you claimed they were 14th based total yards. Several people, including me, pointed out your error. You have yet to admit your error, and continue to try to support your case, a case that was made based on your erroneous belief the D was rated 14th. You no longer have credibility on this issue.

good thing because that is one play where Dareus was getting pushed back.

I didn't see the first half of the game, but I understand they looked bad, and had a lot of penalties. From the stats, they had about 76 yards in the first half and 3 points. That means that they had almost 240 yards in the second half and put up 14 points. Do you think maybe it took Orton a bit to get back into the feel of a real game? I liked what I saw of Orton moving the ball in the second half, for the most part, and I am encouraged by what they did against one of the top Ds in the league.

And go back to posting on EJ? Nah, this is much more fun....

That's why I was only comparing games played in Detroit. Certainly, there is a difference? There's no doubt that our offense needs to put more points up, and at home they've averaged 26 (sorry, error here. I was looking Chicago. They do need to put more points up for sure. I think they will definitely be more productive with Orton too).

This is where you need a little perspective. In other games in Detroit, Green Bay scored 7 points, and they were held to 223 yards (Rogers had 147 yards passing); eli manning was held to 144 yards passing at home, and 14 total points. They are one damn good D, and Orton threw for over 300 yards running Hackett's Offense.