2bagboy

Russell 3000 Stock Performance YTD

It's amazing that only a few short years ago Greenspan call the bull 'irrational exhuberance', yet today the small cap is being pummeled for unjustifiable inexhuberance. I track about 100 small cap value growth (stocks Buffett would buy if they were bigger), I invested in Lifecell in 2001 at less than $3 and road it to above $40. But I have never seen the opportunity that exists today.
In order to make my watchlist a company needs to have doubled rev in the past 3 years and have D/E less than .25 (0) in many cases. Of these 30% are selling at or near cash. 40% at or below Net Asset Value. 100% have positive earnings.
This doesn't make one bit of sense to me.
There are boundless investing opportunities, unlike any we (our generation) has ever seen. But the detractors who wish to steal our money by filling the market with panic and hysteria continue to have free run. The DC leadership needs to take measures that calm the investment community quickly or there will not be enough money on earth to stimulate an economy being manipulated by ultra-rich greed mongers.

Disclosure. Long on belief in my fellow Americans, short on the greedy short artists.

How the Government Should Manage GM and Chrysler

Rick,
In general you suggest that the congressional leadership take an active role in the oversight of the auto industry because they have received public funds.
I ask: Will there be oversight of Deere since the FDIC guaranteed their multi billion dollar loan?
Will there be any reprecussions on the mega- banks receiving TARP money that are using funds to consolidate the industry instead of repairing the financial mess they created?
Will the government ever do anything to expect a federally funded and run entity such as the USPS to become financially sound?

I for one do not want legislators running our businesses, most of them cannot even run a fiscally sound campaign.
I don't believe the 17.4 will be enough to correct all that needs correction in the domestic auto industry, but because of the following items I applaud the decision to throw out one last preserver;
1. The 'rust belt' have historically sent more to DC then they have been returned, we help rebuild homes lost to CA mudslides and Gulf Coast hurricanes without complaint.
2. We need to maintain an infrastructure that is capable of making something beyond a 'chit' sheet, which is what has been rewarded the past 20 plus years.
3. We need a domestic industry capable of producing defense equipment that is owned by Americans.

Five Common-Sense Confidence Builders

Mark,
I agree with your points but I believe that point 5 needs serious amplification. In times of substantial national interest, politics need to be set aside and the political representatives need to take timely corrective action.
Most business leaders would not be afforded continued opportunities to lead given the performances similar to both sides of the current political representatives in Washington.
Now even as our nation and possibly the entire free world stands at the threshhold of a brutal economic period, fingers are pointed every where, but no one has the guts to accept responsibility and enfuse confidence into the general public.
This is not a Dem problem, this is not a Rep problem, this is the invention of actors using a system to enhance their opportunity to continue acting. Freddie and Fannie were given the chance to put a lot of 'unqualified' people in mortgaged homes for the purpose of gaining political favortism. Wall Street saw an opportunity to line their pockets as long as the bubble stayed wafting along.
I agree those responsible for this tragedy need to be prosecuted to the fullest, Wall St execs, corrupt attorneys, irresponsible accountants and especially irresponsible political leaders.