The Whole Picture

The Great American Ponzi Scheme (Part II)

Having worked in both the construction industry and the automotive industry, I would suggest there are big differences that would lead the government to bail out one and not the other. In the case of the automotive industry, the closure of the automakers would lead to a dramatic shift of jobs from the United States to other countries. It is relatively easy for companies in other countries to compete because they can simply ship their products here. Those companies already exist and are ready to take over the business.
The construction industry is different. It is an extremely fractured industry. It has a surprisingly low barrier to entry. I have often seen a construction company fail, only to have its key employees immediately start a new company. Construction jobs are not going oversees. Companies from other countries cannot ship houses or office buildings to the United States. The jobs stay here, but only if there is a reason to build. If we let industries such as the automakers move to other countries, we will have less reason to build and won't need those builders.

How Much Longer Can Money Managers Hang in Behind Energy?

If you are going to write an article as though you know something, you might want to research the subject a little more. You have several obvious mistakes about Governor Palin's history that clearly indicate you do not know what you are writing about. For example, she led her high school basketball team to a state championship -- not volleyball. She is hardly a star of "big oil" -- she passed an oil windfall tax in Alaska and went after the ethics of the oil industry. Just because she is for domestic drilling does not mean that Governor Palin is all about big oil. If you stop and think for a minute, the oil industry makes the most money when there is a shortage. Shortages result in $140 oil which results in big profits. Opening more drilling pushes oil prices, and subequently oil profits, down. Even repeating the "quite the high schooler" comment is considerably condescending. The fact that Governor Palin is pro-2nd amendment and pro-life isn't exactly surprising, being that they are part of the Republican platform. Why would Republicans want to nominate people who are opposite their platform just to win? And finally, your comment "not to say I disagree with those positions" is a weak attempt to stand above the issues as an independent or possibly even a Republican and is shameful. If you are going to be a Democrat, be honest and admit it. There is nothing wrong with being a Democrat, but being a deceitful reporter cannot be trusted.

SPY: The Myth of a Decline in Corporate Earnings

Just out of curiousity, how do appliance & furniture sales drop 240%? Sounds like most of last year's customers must have returned last year's purchases for a refund. I agree, that is "crazy" weakness.