Comments by "John Holst" (@johnholst) on "CNBC" channel.

  1. THIS is exactly why the housing market has been destroyed! Everyone knows that corporations don't pay the same kinds of taxes that we, as individuals pay. That's why these companies can afford to hold these properties hostage and ask any price they want. There's no penalty for them. Just force them to pay taxes like the rest of us, and the problem will be solved immediately.
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  2. Poor Americans! Greed and corruption make it so people can't afford the medicines they need to survive. It's hard to imagine.
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  3.  @demolisherOfMoney  Not completely. Take a look at EVERY BMW model. There are some common parts and designs that are identical, right from the 1 Series up to the new 8 Series. All BMW's have the same steering wheels, door handles, air vents and button stacks, as well as almost identical shifter area designs. Personally, I think the design is attractive. But it just feels wrong when your 30K 1 Series looks the same as your 150K 8 Series.
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  4. So glad I live in a country without tipping! This is crazy!
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  5. It blows my mind as an outsider that the US runs healthcare as a for profit business. Americans pay more for healthcare and get less than other countries. Why? You're paying insurance companies and their CEO's! Profit.
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  6. I can understand why Americans ( and Canadians) buy these trucks. Big, powerful, luxurious, and practical. But nobody outside North America wants full sized trucks or even full sized SUV's. It's somewhat shortsighted for American brands to just give up on cars, imo.
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  7. The answer is so simple, it's dumb to even ask the question. The "economy" might be improving, but all of that money is going into the hands of just a few people. The average American is getting poorer. The wealth gap is getting much greater. Naturally, people don't feel good about it.
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  8. We got ours in Korea back in 2004. It's based on the TGV from France. It works well and is very convenient! Love it!
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  9. Education is such a low priority in the US. Besides, it's a lot harder to control people if they're educated.
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  10. Merrin Thomas...I agree! Audi has always been a better value, and somewhat more reliable than the other two.
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  11. Or even better, make these corporations pay the same taxes that individuals would! Then watch how quickly they flood the market with these properties.
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  12. What a joke! This is like talking about trickle down economics. It's a scam that's not based in reality. The rich are going to live where they want to live. Period. They're used to getting what they want. You really think they're going to leave Manhattan to live in some back water hole in Florida?! lol
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  13. J. Arias...335D? Is that the inline 6 model? Fantastic car! They stopped selling that one here in Korea. Only have the gas engines and the 320D model. :(
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  14.  @arias6720  Awesome! Take good care of er! I only drive diesels since I moved to Asia. So smooth and soooo much torque!
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  15. If you don't know the answer to this question, it's proof that brainwashing in the US works.
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  16. @George L lol! Good one. I guess you're too young to ever have driven a stick. It's not practical. But it can be a lot of fun!
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  17.  @bighands69  Yes, you're right. Taxes are certainly one factor. But also, the size of the roads make it a real headache to drive something so large. And then there's the price of gas! It's not cheap like in the States. There's also the consideration that some countries (Korea for example) add taxes based on the size of the engine and these must be paid each year. US brands are simply not set up to succeed in such environments.
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  18. Jay G. Didn't help that they lost their best engineer (Biermann) to Hyundai either!
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  19. Cars that require premium in their manual should have an asterisk by the mpg rating. If it says 20 mpg, in fact it's like only getting 18 or less due to the extra cost. That sucks!
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  20.  @arias6720  Thanks so much! U 2!
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  21. Billy Weaver...Great performance from the Caddies! I just wish they'd upgrade their interiors. They FEEL much cheaper than the competition.
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  22. It's really simple. Healthcare in the US is a business. You're not paying just for service or medicine. You're paying for someone's 10000 sq.ft penthouse in NY. You're paying for someone's second yacht. You're paying to pad shareholders pockets. So sad.
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  23.  @autohut3720  In fact, the only car in this class that still offers the manual is the Genesis G70. And after this summer, they won't have one either. Sigh! :(
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  24.  @nightcxregalaxy3226  Yes, we know. What point are you trying to make?
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  25.  Deez Nuts  It's a pretty nice car. Whatever you want to call it.
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  26. @japanwatchconnection They are far from reliable, to be sure. But notably more reliable than MB or BMW.
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  27.  @nightcxregalaxy3226  Are they the richest, or just the biggest?
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  28.  @nightcxregalaxy3226  I was just wondering, because as you know, big doesn't necessarily mean "rich". Thanks.
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  29. I wish they'd open stores in Korea.
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  30.  @circletech7745  Your response is very thoughtful. I really think the residency requirement is a good idea. For the rest though, not sure they'd have the effect we want. Privately, people don't care who they sell their home to. They just want the best price. Secondly, adding to the housing supply will not solve the issue if corporate buyers are still buying up to 40 percent of the homes. At the government level, increasing taxes on landlords will only hurt real life mom and pop investors, not the corporations. They don't pay taxes the way regular people do. Still, you and I have a lot of the same ideas. :)
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  31. @Kaleb Swager That Chevy Sonic was probably made about 2 km from my house, in Changwon, South Korea.
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  32.  @eb1247  California is slightly bigger in total area, but Japan is more than three times longer. You'll be in your golf cart for a very long time.
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  33.  @eb1247  Then you should know you can't drive a golf cart across Japan, shouldn't you? And yes, they do have a lot of models they don't get in the States.
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  34.  @eb1247  I'm glad you're joking. Hard to be sure these days with so much ignorance and stupidity around.
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  35.  @den-iq1cv  They may sell them. But nobody buys them. Just too burdensome to own the really big ones.
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  36. Americans just don't get it. When you live in a country with small roads, small parking spaces and high gas prices, you don't want to drive a massive vehicle. That's why Americans don't understand the concept of luxury sub compact cars. "Why buy an A Class, when you can buy a Mustang for the same price?" Duh! Until US companies are willing to make competitive cars that the world wants, this will be the norm.
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  37. Danyel...Yes! Thank you! That's my biggest bone with new BMW's!
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