4Annie

Obama Administration Won't Release Mortgage Modification Figures

So much for "change" & promise of transparency. Appears that politicians are all the same.

The Reluctant Bull: My Portfolio

When you say retirement portfolio, are your investments held inside or outside an IRA? I've wanted to buy MLP's for the reasons you point out, but have hesitated as I understand there can be a problem (K-1') reporting the dividend that can invalidate the tax free status of IRA's.

Not Even Close to the Worst Since the Great Depression

Let's see, peak to trough 1929-1933, Oct.07-now-not even half way through the same time comparison. In other words, it ain't over til it's over. It's premature to state with certaintly that a comparison to the Great Depression is uncalled for. Some of the charts I've viewed here on Seeking Alpha show to current falloff steeper & faster rate than G.D. I hope the author's conclusions hold for the next 2 years & it doesn't get far worse from here.

The Shadow Banking System Will Not Die

I've had about enough "innovation" in the financial markets to last a lifetime. All the crazy products, leverage & shenagins has brought us close to collapse and cost Joe six-pack, Joe average investor, and Joe saver too much.

What Happens After Banks Repay TARP Loans?

Now how is the Plunge Protection Team going to finance & continue the "rally"?

Can the U.S. Break the Oligarchy Cycle a Fourth Time?

We can only hope the US Supreme Court will reel in an over-zealous executive branch giving unsecured creditors a bigger interest than the bond holders, otherwise the rule of law will no longer be the norm for this country-big trouble.

Why Do Chinese Save?

In mainland China, where typically you have 3 generations of family living in high rise 500 sf flats there simply isn't the space to put things necessary to support American style consumption. Many familys yet are living in single row houses without running water or sewers (honey pots line the doorways in the alleys). Clothing is hand washed and hung on lines , outside the windows to dry-called Chinese "welcoming flags". When I was there 6 years ago many goods were sold in Friendship stores open only to foreigners. I'm sure much has changed, but then the new high rise flats for sale were astronomically high compared to average monthly salaries. Education for children & books was expensive also. Children culturally are expected to support their parents in old age.

No Rest for the Economy's Wicked Parties

Yours is the best, most comprehensive, honest & accurate assessment of the problems I've yet seen. You are so right, unfortunately the brain-dead masses of leeches will continue to suck the life-blood from our country. We have no statesmen to lead a dutiful government & put an end to all this crap. Where's that hidden valley Ayn Rand wrote about?

Tuesday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

Dave,
So glad to hear Francie's surgery went well, hoping for full recovery. I've never seen a fox in my suburb (Cols. OH) but we've chased posums, skunks, & racoons out of the garage.

Dollar's Purchasing Power Annihilated - The Chart They Don't Want You to See

"Well lets see: The value of the dollar will probably take a beating, BUT who in the labor force in going to agree with personal pay cuts etc.?"
Many people, lately, in order to have any amount of income after job loss or cutbacks, have been forced to sell their time & talent for much less than they are accustomed. The auto unions in the bankruptcy advoidance have had to make concessions. Globalization has forever changed the salary structure in America permanently & many of the lost jobs will never return. The money & means of production (wealth creation) continues to move offshore. They can print $$ all they wish, it does nothing but depreciate existing $$. What a mess.

Thursday Outlook: Commodities, Global Markets

Dave,
I join others in sadness in hearing the news, wishing Francie a speedy recovery & well wishes for your family. Your posts are greatly appreciated & hoping for good news for you & yours.

Do You Believe Banks Are Recovering? (Part 2)

"Where, for instance, does the author get an unemployment figure of 13 million? I thought it was in the order of 5-6 million."

From the shadow government site. Unemployment stats. from govt. are just as bogus as CPI. Government spin to understate the enormity of the problems.

The Fed's Haul for 2008: $35 Billion

$25.6 B wealth transfer from US Taxpayers not to bureacrats but to private individuals & shareholders???? The federal reserve is a private corporation owned in part by banks like JPM, AIG, Goldman etc and individuals. If the US government can issue treasury bonds & bills, it can also issue their own banknotes & eliminate the middlemen. Keep the wealth in the US taxpayer family.

Stress Test: Government Indecision Is the Scariest Part

The whole stress test scheme is a ruse to put lipstick on pigs. Nothing has changed, banks insolvent, numbers fantasy. Now it's time to follow the law & put the zombie banks down & out of business via FDIC. They are parasites on the healthy banks & the system. We don't need any more false confidence tricks.

Ken Heebner Zigs - But the Market Zags

Homer II
"Agreed Cam.. but isn't it sweet when Ken H. is right and you are all in with CGMFX/LOMMX/CGMRX"

What's LOMMX?