mrbill

Obama (Should Say) to California: Drop Dead

Here's part of the problem:

www.youtube.com/watch?...

On May 30 02:49 PM Market Sniper wrote:

> Spot on! I have lived in California since 1957 and watched as this
> state has, with increasing speed, swirled around the toilet bowl.
> For a long time now, basically a one party state (if that really
> makes much difference!) that is the TOTAL control of government worker's
> unions of various stripes. From teachers, state employeed janitors
> to state employeed scientists. They ALL have unions. Bloated salaries,
> phenomenal benefit packages and unbelievable retirement benefits
> have been just part of the problem. The state will have to go bankrupt
> to clear out the dead wood as well as break these union's backs.
> Basic question: since when do government workers, whose ENTIRE paychecks
> come from the taxpayers, have the right to even unionize or collectively
> bargin? This has been taken to the most bizarre level in the Netherlands
> where the Dutch Army is unionized! Peter, again you point out the
> abysmal absurdity of the situation.

Obama (Should Say) to California: Drop Dead

"Federal backing of California bonds would effectively turn them into Treasury bonds, with the added appeal of being exempt from California state income tax. Therefore, the Treasury will be at a competitive disadvantage when it looks to issue its own debt to Californians. If it then has to guarantee the bonds of all the other 50 states, why would any Americans buy Treasuries when they can get identical credit quality on better terms from the states? The only real buyers left would be foreigners, who are already queasy about the Treasuries they own."

Great point. Which is why I've been saying, look out for a new muni bond tax. This will be the perfect reason to do it.

Are Stocks Actually Cheap Now?

It's a traders market.

Death of Equities: Part of a Never Ending Series

For the lowest possible risk be highly diversified: stocks (US and abroad), bonds of all types, soft and hard commodities, cash and foreign currencies, even real estate, etc. You probably won't lose any money, but you won't make a killing either. Maybe we need a Total Market (r) ETF?

2009 Depression Will Be Nothing Like 1929

To JR :^)

Lets try to keep the signal to noise ratio above 20 dB please.

Some tips:

* Try to be more concise.

* Avoid making points with these words in them (to the effect): "at least", "probably around", "more or less", "should be". People won't take you seriously if your beliefs are based on assumptions.

* On historical events, try to maintain a level of accuracy above that of a tailor park philosopher.

* Avoid wrapping yourself in the American flag while avoid criticizing others for being "unpatriotic", or you will be viewed as a lunatic. If you feel otherwise, then sell everything you own and give the proceeds to the IRS.

* An ellipses (...) for every other post, here and there is usually okay, but three times per paragraph is very annoying.

* Avoid quoting yourself

* Avoid replying to yourself

* Don't compare humans to monkeys, or any other animal, we truly are not the same. If you believe otherwise, then keep in mind, your expressed views about others, are often seen as expressed views about yourself. To say that "humans always behave THIS WAY (like monkeys or worse) given THESE circumstances", reflects how YOU would behave under those circumstances. So you are insulting not only yourself, but your friends, family, and even your children. Sad.

* Last but not least, replying to every single person that disagrees with you says a lot about your level of insecurity: IT IS THROUGH THE ROOF!

Good day,

2009 Depression Will Be Nothing Like 1929

Oh vey... this guy (psst, don't say anything, you know who he is) obviously spikes his coffee with crystal meth. Unfortunately, the last batch must have been battery acid.

The Search for a Bottom

This is one of the most sensible articles I've read in a long time. Congrats.

Why I'm Still Comfortable Buying Stocks Despite the Market Lows

"And I certainly have been taking a hit the past few months."

Us bears appreciate your honesty. It's no wonder why permabulls are constantly screaming CHEAP & BOTTOM IS IN.

"I cannot help myself. Stocks are becoming mouth-wateringly attractive!"

Maybe you have a gambling addition.

"Ignore those arguing that stocks are expensive because GAAP earnings on the S&P 500 are going to be $25 in 2008 and expected to be $32 in 2009. That is foolish."

Hmmm... Looks like we should ignore you. What's that saying again, the market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent?

Here's what you said:

"I have some cash left, but not much."

You see the point, who's being being foolish in the end?

Nevertheless, good luck.

Orwellian Finance: Is 1984 Happening in 2009?

When you have lots of debt, you need MORE DEBT

Bad banks are really GOOD BANKS, and thus, worth saving

The worst corporations are THE BEST corporations

Inflation is a GOOD thing

Slavery is FREEDOM

And lets not forget, War is PEACE

Basically, ALL LIES ARE TRUTHS and ALL TRUTHS ARE LIES.

Besides "the government", there is a religion that practices this form of deception.

Now consider this:

Good always prevails Evil.

Now reverse the phrase. Thank you and have a nice day.

Consumer Spending: Last Bastion of U.S. Economy in Full Retreat

"There's some hope, however: beauty and health stores bucked the trend and saw December spending increases. So at least the nation's women will continue looking beautiful even as we grimace at our reduced ability to buy them flowers and fancy dinners"

This makes sense. I suppose with all the job losses, lots of women are working the streets and need to look good.

Market and Economy Predictions for 2009

What makes him predict a housing bottom is what makes most people predict bottoms. Wishful thinking:

"I bought my home at/around the peak for $1.5 million, it's now worth $800K... it can't go lower, because near half off is cheap enough already! the bottom is in, the bottom is in!"

And...

"Interest rates are at an all time low ! (broken record realtard mentality), surely THAT will motivate ppl to buy !"

Notice how he says, "housing prices are rapidly approaching a bottom, which should come well before June '09".

Before June, right. Only because that's when housing is strongest. I'm sure it was really difficult to make that call. Next year do expect him to say, "Before June of '10", then Before June of '11, and so on. Eventually he'll be right.

When you make a call based on cyclic observations, you should at least state it. Otherwise you're being mildly deceptive. Everyone wants to be a Messiah nowadays. What a cheap prediction. I'll buy that for... 50 cents on the dollar!

This guy is making the same mistake everyone else is: he believes once the technical problems are resolved (frozen credit markets, you know the rest) everything will go back to normal. It will not happen. We are on the verge of a huge shift in consumer behavior. If you want to make wise investments for the next 30 years. Stop looking at the macro economic picture, and start looking at the micro side of things. There may be thousands of financial advisers, but there are hundreds of millions of common folk that have been spooked by what has happened, and frankly, don't care for all the pork in the end. Hint: sometimes the simplest things in life are the best.

What made perfect sense in '06 through '07 might make no sense at all in '09 and into the next several decades. Start with a clean sheet.