CM in MA

Still Blaming the Market Victims

I meant conscience...not conscious. Sorry.

Still Blaming the Market Victims

A very good article. My view is that we get the politicians and policies that we deserve. There's nothing worse than a "reformed (fill in the blank)", and I'm a reformed registered voter of a major political party. Sadly, politicians no longer fear voters. And yes, I understand the Fed Chairman is not elected. My point is more broad than just those who the elected officials appoint. Voting for either a Republican or Democrat, while expecting different results, will be met with disappointment. And yes, I've heard all the arguments for not voting for a third party. I'd rather vote my conscious than play the current cynical game. Now sure, these parties would also fall prey to the corrupting influences that have overtaken the two major parties. But, at least initially, they would change the status quo. It's our choice every time we step to the polling booths. But it won't be handed to us. We'll have to demand, and work to bring, more choices at election time.

The Current Market Atmosphere: Easy Money Hard to Come by

Interesting article, but forming any opinion, thesis or course of action on "facts" such as "the median wage-earner is unable to afford the median priced home" is fraught with danger. I glanced at the study and am fairly certain it is using national medians. Well, we don't live in a median world. Wealth and earning power tends to cluster. Those earning at or below the national median wage in a high-wage area will likely find themselves consistently priced out of the local real estate market where most homes will tend to run above the median house price. Conversely, a person earning at or above the median wage in a low-wage area will be able to afford a home at the upper end of what is likely to be a below median priced housing market.

Facts and data only have meaning when put in context. And also remember that all studies have biases (yes, even at Harvard) and perhaps even hidden agendas.