RLLH

Revamping Traders' Pay

Since the traders are using the bank's money to do the trades, why should they not be forced to pay the same interest rate as any one outside the bank would do? I'm sure most of us would like the current "heads I win, tails you lose" environment they operate in.

Buy and Hold Is Alive and Well

I invested in each of 5 mutual funds in 1986 and have held them ever since. I tested your hypothesis and found:
Acorn Fund 1010% increase
Evergreen 480% (split into 2 funds in 90's)
Partners Fund 490%
Nicholas Fund 360%
Valley Forge 280%
--------------
528% average increase

Could I have done better by buying and selling? Perhaps, but it was nice to know that while I was playing with stocks on my own, these funds have continued to steadily increase (although obviously down considerably over what they would have been last year at this time.)

Forbes: Genuine Business Lessons from Donald Trump

One of them was the "Trump Tower" in Tampa. After the real estate crash prevented it from being built, it was discovered that Trump's only involvement was leasing his name to the builder. Although those who put up money for condo down payments lost it all, Donald seemed to come out with his reputation relatively unscathed. He even said he was trying to find another builder to finish the project (although nothing ever came of that). As you say, he is a master of managing his image.

AIG Exec Departures: What a Surprise!

I welcome the departure of every high (over) priced executive leaving while dragging his sense of entitlement behind him. After purging the fat and excess AIG may become profitable again. With overpaid whiners, never!