If we leave the GFC aside there has been a systematic reduction in relative research and development output over the last 15 years.

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Total federal spending relative to GDP declined from 1995 to 2000 by 12.5%, a reduction in the federal government relative to the economy of about one-eighth in just 5 short years.

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Insurers and agents (my side) have only two choices in reacting to the 25% relative pay cut (a reduction from 20% of premium to 15% of premium is a 25% reduction): We can either reduce our services, which means less utilization review, claims auditing, agent premium negotiating, etc.

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This new security situation, the ongoing reduction in tariffs and the relative low cost of labor force will be translated into an increase in foreign investment in sectors such as gold and coal mining, oil exploration and manufacturing, to name a few.

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In entirely too many cases, the answer is fear not of physical death, but instead fear of our financial demise, which is often rooted in a fear of lifestyle reduction, which is often rooted in a fear of relative lifestyle comparison with our peers, which is especially ironic when you consider the millions of unemployed workers, bankrupt households, foreclosed homes and underwater homeowners.

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Crime fell relative to the control in all but one of those areas, with a particularly steep reduction in the number of burglaries.

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Other things equal, the reduction in the trade deficit due to fracking will reduce imported capital and put pressure on investment relative to saving and government spending relative to taxing.

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As a result, a relative handful of individuals and families (fewer than 6 million) would foot the entire revenue bill for deficit reduction.

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