daniela

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

I found news of OPEC and Iran's "threat" the most interesting news. What's up with Mazel Tov wishes?

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

I read GOOG Android will be released in September.

The Great Consumer Crash of 2009

1.You mentioned: A phenomenon called “expenditure cascade” has occurred in the U.S. according to Cornell Professor Robert Frank. When top earners build large multi-million dollar mansions, they shift the frame of reference for those just below them on the income scale."
People aspire to move up, mimic the life of rich. This is wrong of course, but it is a human nature that will not be stopped. Same thing --keeping up with your neighbors will always be there no matter what economy. People in slums do the same thing! This is true in the whole world, not only in America. But only in America you can make it from nowhere to multimillionaire. Aspiration for wanting more is not a bad thing. It fuels ambition to be the better than others, to make money. create business, etc.
2.If government would not punish our savings by taxing them, we could start saving more. What if government woud provide some incentive for savings? Our economy is based on sales and not savings. I am not sure if anything will change this.

3.I slightly disagree with your post 9/11 assesment of what US should have done. We all remember that. Terrorists wanted to cripple us financially. This is also one of their ongoing strategies. Stock market was rapidly sliding, people were scared home. Donating money did not boost economy.
4.Also I disagree that it was Bush whos objective was: housing for everybody. Bush did not create FHA. This idea stems from this kind of program. I don't know this, but I bet this idea stems from democrats.
If you look closely at retailers--most of them are old, or those who did not pay attention to trends, or overbuild. Retailers are hurting, but these particular retailers--reasons are more complex than just downturn.

Overall I really like your article. It brings clearity to this situation. We will need time to heal. Government actions will be crucial--you are right. This election will be nail biting for so many reasons. America needs experienced leader, not a cheerleader.

Wake Up America, You’re Sinking

I am from one of those countries that you cited that ties in infant mortality. I experienced social medicine first hand. Please don't kid yourself. Experience it and then you will love American system. It is not perfect, but when you are sick, you have the best equipment, best doctors in the world at your fingertips. Of course it is at cost. There should be some basic medicine for everybody. To promote socialisation of medicine is iresponsible.
Sir, you don't like America. Coming from different country I can appreciate America far better than you. Since you are such a Europhile, why don't you go live there for 20 years and then compare? I am so sick and tired that Americans believe what Europe is saying about America. Europe wants to feel superior-it is not. Europe consists of cynical bunch of countries and for a good reason. You belong there. Bon voyage!

Inflation Fears Are Overblown

Great article. Don't underestimate resilient US economy. I also agree with all the comments, but overall, worst is over. Whenever people's wallets are hit, they readjust, improvise. Business people readjust not to loose customers and to stay in business for a long run. Article provide nice point of view. Customers are not running to buy things and are not going to empty their wallet (with negative savings rate) before another potencial price rise. I am hoping that long run who is going to get hurt are "nice" countries of OPEC. Americans are riding more bikes and thinking 100 miles per gallon automobiles. This country will be better in the future if it will learn to rely on herself more. Overall I don't see people view this as a crisis. It is just something they moan about in casual conversations. I think traders see trees and not the whole forest. As Chauncey Gardener said "the roots are strong":-)

Unemployment Jumps by Fastest Rate Since 1975

It only proves rebublican point: support marriage--it's good for you:-)--you will be less likely unemployed.
Yes, conservatives are good for economy.
This graph is not complete, because it does not connect age, race, gender together, just reports it separately. I would not take this data to the bank, but still interesting.

Market Gains By Days of the Week

Wow. That's great information. Thank you very much!

Conditions Of New Bull Markets: Consumer Sentiment

Excellent! Nicely described.

Unintended Socialization of the Housing Market and Its Consequences

Nanny state? I would call things as they are: Communist state.
America was built on giving power to individual to make his decisions. There are two kinds of borrower under water:
1. Those who want to appear rich and eventhough they have jobs, they need new house, best furniture, new cars...live life they cannot sustain.
I don't want to help these people at all!!!!! They need to learn their lesson
2. Unfortunate immigrants, who don't know any better or people with lower IQ, uneducated who get easily bamboozled. I am sorry for this group, and I thought maybe there shoudl be some nonprofit entity to protect them.. Free market however cannot take into account this group to operate like it should--freely.

Both groups would learn something from it. We should rely on ourselves only and blame only ourselves for mistakes. It is us who sign the mortgage.

Maybe Investors Should Fight The Fed

I think there are interesting points mentioned by the article. I think however that companies will spend money that they can get on cheap interest. There is better solutions than providing checks to families. Give us instead gift certificates to major retailers so we really will spend money where it matters.