jjc7477

Thursday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

Dave,

I know I'm just one of many based on the huge support posted above, but like the others my prayers are with you and Francie. She is a lovely lady and sounds like the kind of person who will kick butt. Your daily postings and humor are a highlight of my day. Hang tough big guy!

John

Friday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

I have one potential candidate David. I'm in the steel industry and have had an opportunity to listen to Dan Dimicco of Nucor speak. He has passion, knowledge and is a guy who can't be bought. My hope is as we fall deeper into the abyss, we will hear of others----hopefully none with a political or financial background----who will say 'that's enough!' and begin to speak for the people/entrepeneurs of the world. I think the issue now is everyone is still too shocked to react and once it becomes accepted fact that we are in this for an extremely long time, everyone will realize the villians for who they are (look over your shoulder Barney, Nancy and gang) and begin the rebuilding process.

Like you, I'm an older guy and can only hope it happens soon enough to allow our children and grandchildren some respite from the foolhardiness of our brethren.

Keep on posting and keep the faith!

Is the Second Great Depression Imminent?

I found this quote and I thought it really hit our issues on the head:

The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for
authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place
of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their
households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They
contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties
at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers

Socrates 400 BC

We are living in very troubling times, but if we managed to live through tyrants such as Hitler in the not too distant past, I think we'll survive this too. Granted, it may require us to do things many have never learned (our younger generation) and the rest of us have forgotten (those old enough to remember the 60's and 70's), but frankly, a return to values will save us. I do not believe we will be reduced to rioting in the streets and carrying guns and knives for protection.

Thursday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

Dear Sieraromero,

You forgot a few zeros there my friend. You just covered the first 350 Americans. What about the other 299,999,650?
However, if you'd like to make me one of the 350.......

Friday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

I can only say thanks Dave for the definitions. For the first time in over a week I actually laughed until I cried. Actually, I've been crying all week!!

John

Thursday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

Dear Gabe,

It would be a heck of a lot easier to swallow your extremely optomistic argument without the following factors: 1) Foreclosures 2) Consumer Credit 3) Unemployment 4) Stronger dollar offsetting the one bright glimpse of hope-exports.

Anyone who believes we are going to return to the golden days of "buy now, pay later" is in for a very rude awakening.

A perfect example took place yesterday. I lease a Cadillac DTS for my business which is set to expire soon. I contacted my dealer and was informed the rules have changed. Leases would be extremely difficult to come by and would be at a premium. So you can better understand the ramifications of what I'm saying, this would be my seventh Cadillac leased from this dealer in the past eighteen years and my credit is pristine (I'm an early baby boomer who never became trapped in the easy credit ways). He also informed me his dealership is leading the midwest for Cadillacs sold in September-----6. This as of September 10th. Now taking this data and extrapolating it out to include the general population, most who have far worse credit than mine, how many people do you believe are standing in line to lease vehicles? Which means for the first time in many a year, they will have to buy cars and put together a substantial downpayment. How many blue collar or middle class people do you believe have the amount of money--or credit-- necessary to finance a new vehicle?

I'm afraid we are just beginning what will be one extremely painful and long recovery. Frankly, I hope you're right and I'm dead wrong, but I've got to believe this time you're on the wrong side of the bet.

JJC

Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

Gabe,

I'm in Detroit and believe me, we have inflation AND deflation here. Homes and businesses deflating while costs and taxes inflating. I think you should seriously take off those rose colored glasses you wear and take a good look around. It may be true that the European and emerging nations will feel dramatic pain, but if you think that's going to be our resolution here, you are very sadly mistaken my friend.

Friday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

It's extremely disheartening to see the lack of direction by the idiots who manage our country. So much time is wasted on their reelections or finger pointing at the opponents across the aisle, that nothing EVER gets accomplished. It will not be surprising to me to see uprisings throughout out nation in the next few years as more and more of our middle and lower class are forced to the brink of poverty and beyond. When that happens, woe to the those in office.

Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

Make that three on a match. I miss you when you're out doing the travel thing!

Wednesday Outlook: Commodities, Emerging Markets

I'm new to looking at this column and quickly becoming addicted also. I'm unfamiliar with the author Murphy listed here and would like to pick up a copy of the book Greg in Al and salad1bar mention. Can someone share the name with me please? Thanks for the help!

JJC