The DOW is lower than it was after 9/11.

The Dollar is worth Squat

Home prices are in a tailspin

Gas prices are at least double what they were 7 years ago

The USA is $10 TRILLION dollars in debt

Bin Laden and Al Qaeda are still running around free

illegal immigrants are still pouring through our sieve of a border

And while we're fooling around with "terrorists" living in huts in remote places we'd never want to visit or even build a Starbucks, the Russians are making overtures to the EU on a completely new, anti-US security agreement.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew...eze-out-US.html

Both Democratic and Republican leadership have completely failed this country, as they rabidly stir up everyone into red and blue camps. Neither deserve to lead anymore. There is such a crisis in leadership today, it's scary.

I hate to be pessimistic, but I don't see much to get excited about in the near future...Unless there's a Phillies WS win! They're the only red camp I'm in!

Best bumper sticker I've seen this week:

"McBama - Same [censored], different pile"

AWESOME!

"McBama - Same [censored], different pile"

I like the sticker...

....definitely like you're Red Camp FBH....

Hopefully the Phil's keep it going!

"The end of the world as we know it" keeps running thru my head.

You might be right. I highly doubt that any of these two candidates are going to bring the significant change they are promissing. But then again, do we really need it?

You're asking the wrong person - I think there needs to be significant change to many things. The things neither candidate talks about:

Election Reform: eliminate the qualification hurdles and hoops that keep the Democrat and Republican parties dominant. Limit district restructuring, and lower petition levels to qualify third party candidates. America is free - give us a choice. Update the electoral college rules to better accomodate multiple parties.

Reduce government spending and unnecessary bureaucracy

Focus on rebuilding and updating America's infrastructure and communications systems

Simplify the tax structure - I mean, even Russia has a flat tax!

Something needs to be done about money creation. I don't know if I'm fully in the gold/silver standard camp, but creating cash by keystroke isn't the way either...

I agree with everything but the flat tax. Our current tax structure has mechanisms built in that really provide incentive for small business. I would like to maintainthose factors. (Yes, my undergrad is accounting), so I am inclined to like it because it makes sense to me).

I am just not sure that any of that is real change. Those can be done with relative ease. I am worried that when some people refer to change they meach the change to socialism.

I've never truly been a small business owner, but when I took tax in law school, I was amazed at how complex the laws are. But I guess that keeps lawyers in BMWs...Did you know personal income tax was only introduced in 1943?

You'd be surprised how hard it is to change election laws or get independents on ballots - and it's been done on purpose. When you control who gets in, all the other "more important stuff" is controlled too.

Maybe, but it can't be as hard as converting to the level of socialism the Democrats want.

Sadly, I think it's going to be easy...

Market open for 7 minutes, down 700.

I'm starting to think we're under attack.

already reboundin... only 350 down right now...

<-------- not looking forward to the Regulation section of the CPA because it deals with tax codes!!

Keep your hands in the car at all times - this is going to be a wild ride...

'only' down 120 right now

Go Free Market!

Your eye is freaking me out!

<---- is relief for all the eyes!

nah, the status quo ROCKS!

Well the NASDAQ turned + for a few...

"But I feel fine......

You know what, I've decided to refuse to give in to the pessimism and despair. There is just too much that is good about our nation and our world to ingore it. I think over the last 40 years we've turned into a world of full of pessimists.

You can declare defeat and failure if you wish, but as for me, from this moment foward I'm climbing out of this pit of psycho-despair and fear that we seem to be sinking down into. There's nothing to stop me (or you) from being an optimist.

This is coming from the daughter of an IRS agent...if the government is borrowing to help corporations and for-profits, wouldn't it be a better plan to borrow to run the government? Such as, give all individuals making less than, say a million a year, a tax-free year. Yes, pay no taxes to any governmental entity for a year. Pay off your delinquent mortgage loans, buy that new car, send the kids to college and get the little ones braces. The economy could be stimulated and the government (which is US anyway) could amortize those dollars needed to run its infrastructure, and you and I could "borrow directly" from the government by way of no taxes for the year, so that we can shore up our houses too?

Interesting idea Kraj, but unfortunately it would only postpone the problem for many people who don't use credit responsibly, IMHO. How many people get a debt consolidation loan to pay off credit cards, only to run the cards up again a short time later?

I am SOOOOOOO HAAAPPPPPYYYYY that I have some equity options that are maturing at the end of this month!!!! Would someone please untie the boulder that is attached to the market?