I would not consider myself someone who generally appreciates art. However, the ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids excites me, and I both appreciate and like it very much! If you have not been to ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, you should make a point to come and check it out.

The event began when Rick DeVos offered a $250,000 prize to the artist with the best artwork as determined by the viewing public. Almost anyone can submit their artwork in the contest. The works of art are displayed all over Grand Rapids and the winner is determined by your vote and mine and thousands of other people at the event. This year there are 1700 entries and hundreds of thousands of viewers.

I like the variety in what is on display. I like that I can vote on the entries that interest me regardless of why I find them interesting. I like the economic benefits to Grand Rapids. I like to see the “free market” at work in the art community. I like how the success of the event depends on everyone (artists, voters, sponsors, businesses, municipalities, etc) coming together for their own self interest and benefiting the whole. I like that the free market works with art like it does with investments! I like ArtPrize!

Let me know some of your ArtPrize entries!

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It’s Flag Day today! This commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Since that day in 1777 the United States Flag has been a symbol of Freedom around the world.

Our flag represents our free market economy as well! Under the Red, White and Blue the United States of America has been championing free markets for over 233 years. Free Markets have been an example of the most efficient model for economic growth and prosperity around the world! THE FREE MARKET WORKS!

Do you believe that the Free Market Works!? Is your investment strategy capturing all the growth the Free Market offers? Most investment options are built on the assumption that Free Markets Fail. How are you invested?

There is an investment philosophy called Free Market Portfolio Theory that is built on the conviction that free markets work. Take a moment to Google “Free Market Portfolio Theory” and/or attend one of our seminars this summer. Learn how to invest consistent with your beliefs in the free market.

The Free Market Works!

You can win an American Flag!
Send us an email and let us know that you believe in the Free Markets!
You will be entered into a drawing to win an American Flag!
Respond before 6/21/2010 to be entered.

Opinion: What American Population Will Look Like in 2050 – AOL News

Here is a great article that gives reason to believe that the next 40 years will be very good for the US economy. The optimism does not lie in the brilliance of our government or the strength of our middle class or some new invention that will secure our leadership on the world scene. It is more simple than all of that. The reason to be optimistic is the census projection that the US population will reasonably grow by 100 million people by the year 2050.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database

Population growth is vital to the sustainability of developed nation. A vibrant and young work force can be a catalyst for change and innovation. Fertility and a commitment to raising children create a strong forward thinking mentality in how we manage current opportunities. The 100 million additional “producers” will help to pay for the costs of caring for a manageable percentage of the population that are over 65 and not as active in the economy.

A shrinking and aging population can devastate an entire culture and economy in one or two generations. There are countries in Europe and Asia that appear to be on an unsustainable and irreversible path of population decline! By 2050 China and some of Europe will see over 1/3rd of their population over 60yrs old. History does not offer a positive outlook for declining population!

Despite the current struggles we face there is reason to be optimistic for future generations of Americans. Support strong and healthy families! Teach kids how to work hard – by example. Be optimistic!

I am more convinced than ever that the best investment returns come to those that invest in a broadly diversified and unmanaged group of stocks. Some would say, “you are getting the average return of thousands of companies.” That is not true! Rather, you are benefiting from the collective wisdom of millions of market participants.

Evidence is overwhelming that the Free Market provides the very best investment returns over time. However, many people still resist this simple strategy. Why?? People wrongly think the market return is a mediocre return.

Richard Larrick and Jack B. Stoll suggest that most of us have bad intuitions about averaging. We assume that averaging means dumbing down or compromising. When people are faced with the choice of picking pieces of advice from a number of experts, they try to pick the best expert rather than simply average across the group. Another reason, surely, is our assumption that true intelligence resides only in individuals, so that finding the right person – the right [money manager], the right CEO – will make all the difference. In a sense, the crowd is blind to its own wisdom. Finally, we seek out experts because we get, as the writer Nassim Taleb asserts, “fooled by randomness.” If there are enough people out there making predictions (i.e. over 27,000 mutual fund managers), a few of them are going to compile an impressive record over time. That does not mean the record was a product of skill, nor does it mean the record will continue in the future.

The Wisdom of Crowds, James Burowiecke

You are able get the collective wisdom of millions, why settle for the limited ideas of a few? Markets are Efficient! Stop paying for self proclaimed experts that promise you something they have not and can not deliver. Free Market Portfolio Theory efficiently operates on a proven investing philosophy to capture the best return that the entire market has to offer prudent investors!