sleepless_on_wall_street

Why Isn't the Dollar Falling?

nobby73, you make some very good points, but don't many of the countries on the list have bigger unfunded liability problems than the U.S.?

A History of Market Violence

Chris B, outstanding comment.

I have been thinking about the differences between 1928-1931 and 2006-09. You have been very thorough in suggesting some of the differences. This could be worth a lot more discussion.

For example, had Roosevelt been elected two years earlier and the New Deal was started in 1931 instead of 1933, would the depression have been shortened or made worse? I don't know the answer, but I'd sure like to hear a discussion from more knowledgable people. (Or even from more opinionated people.)

Again, Chris, thanks for opening a subject I have been wondering about. Your comment definitely adds to the value of this good article.

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

I can't find fault with most of the complaints made by commenters. But I would like to think there is something better than having a "French style revolution". Can we have some proposals on what to do going forward? I would concentrate on defining how to prevent "too big too fail" from happening in the future:

1 Determining what was done by the "titans of Wall Street" that was counterproductive to proper functioning of the free enterprise system, prosecuting anything that was criminal;

2. Legislating to assure that which was technically legal, but hindered free markets from functioning efficiently, will not happen again;

3. Putting controls on those accepting government assistance that will assure the money is not abused and repaid promptly with interest.

We are where we are and we need to go forward in a positive way.

The Obama Inauguration Rally Begins

Admittedly, short-term stocks look oversold. On a valuation basis, they look over valued. I find it interesting that the author did not hazard a guess about how long the Obama rally might last.

Looking at the details in the article, it seems that the only real rally identified is in oil stocks and precious metals and related stocks. That would be way too narrow a rally to get me excited.

Remember What Happened In the Market a Year Ago?

The optimists held the upper hand a the beginning of 2008. The pessimists seem to hold the upper hand at the beginning of 2009.

My prediction: The desperate will hold the upper hand at the beginning of 2010.

Happy New Year.