Should Ground Control Arrange for A Landing? As the real estate asset bubble deflates in the U.S., the wind threatens to dissipate from below the economy's wings. In 2006, we watch as interest rates climb, the dollar slides in relationship to the Yen and the Euro. The stock market appears, to defy gravity, and seemingly remains strong and resilient. Perhaps these supports to the market are the result of the weak dollar, foreign investment, and the attempt, by baby boomers, to seek greater returns for their pension monies. Yet, at the same time there is a sense, of a pent-up anxiety among investors, who remain concerned that raising interest rates, higher energy prices, and higher commodity prices, may lead to inflation pressures right around the corner. If all of these come together in a perfect storm, we could witness a choking of growth, and in turn, a new period of market turbulence. It is hard to imagine substantial reductions in energy prices anytime in the near future. The compelling demographics of baby boomers could continue to generate lift for the economy until the end of the decade, which is partially why many are still declaring brilliant, clear skies ahead. But isn’t a touch and go landing possible? Wouldn’t it be prudent to consider radio contact with the tower, to have a brief discussion concerning firm landing options? To follow-up on Clive's piece questioning the true value of certain middleman "knowledge" workers, touches on my hot button, which will not play in 2006, but over the next decade. It is the need for dramatic restructuring in the way health care information is handled in the U.S. Despite all of the "knowledge" in the health care system, medicine practice remains incredibly inefficient. One of the key ways to fight our way out of this problem will be to move toward a truly digital record system, allowing patients, easy, straightforward, simple access, to that information, so that the patients can take more control, responsibility and accountability over their own health care. I believe, but I cannot prove, that economics and technology, will triumph over bureaucratic, regulatory and the medical community’s, perceived self-interests in conducting “business as usual.” Michael Potter May 2006 back to Articles Index