Bail Out, is that for everyone?

I guess I understand bailing out the banks. I mean if these institutions go down, that is a lot of jobs that will be lost, not too mention the FDIC doesn't have the funds to insure them all. So that would be a great deal of money lost by the consumers and the unemployment rate would continue to rise. So it does make sense. But here's what doesn't. Executives at failing companies walking away with millions of dollars in compensation. I was under the impression that if you fail, you don't get bonus money. You could argue that you should at least get severance pay, but 160 million? I am as capitalistic as the next guy but that seems a bit extreme (unless I am that executive, then I fully support the current system). It is a bit overwhelming to think about, as the cost is ultimately passed to the consumer (read you & me). Good to know my 28% is going to the right places.

On the bright side, I did get to miss the debate (instead of Friends, I watched 2 hours of 70's show reruns) and the Buckeyes won their Big Ten opener. Also USC lost, Georgia got killed and I still believe the SEC is a joke. They will get killed if the bowl games were up north.

The World Is Ending!!! So where should I invest?

I read a terrifying article today (why do I do that?) from Jon Markman at MSN. I have included a live link if you would like to see the article. Unless you live underground, you know what's been going on in the U.S. markets and there has been a large amount of investors taking their capital overseas. Well, according to Jon, the run on the world market is over, and the U.S. is again the place to put your money. Let's face it, if Warren Buffet is no longer betting against the dollar, why should you? Here is a quick summary of the world markets:

• U.S. down 15% for the year
• Britain down 22%
• France down 22%
• Germany down 24%
• Spain down 23%
• Russia down 23% (not to mention they are always invading someone)
• China down 31% (How about those Asian markets?)
• Japan down 16%
• India down 43%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• The Latin American countries are hurting as well, but I am tired of typing in numbers.

Seriously though, where do we put our money (since I don't have any, this does not really effect me, so where do you put your money?)? Do you just leave the market alone for awhile and put your money in a bank account earning between 1% and 4%? How about this: "Chris Whalen, the managing director of Institutional Risk Analytics, has told Dow Jones Newswires that he expects 110 banks with $850 billion in assets to fail by next July, which is eight times the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s reserves." (Markman, MSN) So there goes your insurance when your bank closes down.

Maybe I will just start mining for gold. Where is my pick-axe and dynamite?

Does money matter?

We all saw what happened with Indymac, and the run on banks nationwide. Hopefully you have your money spread around and insured. Does that FDIC 100K limit make you feel better? Those that have received bank checks from the Indymac fiasco are still in trouble. The banks that deposit those checks (WaMu, BoA and I believe Wells Fargo) are putting up to a 2 month hold on those funds. So how safe is your money really? I am starting to believe those immigrants that bury the cash under their mattress may have it right. But then we have to worry about burglars (except in Texas) and the Euro working its way to $2. Maybe we should be investing in Euros, or buying gold bars, or at the very least ammo and canned goods. Why do I feel like it's Y2K all over again? Hey, at least we live in the greatest country on Earth, and let's face it, even if the economy goes to pot, we'll keep on keepin' on.

Have you ever tried to have a conversation with a liberal? They seem to be personally offended by everything, and when you attempt to debate they just start cursing/crying and or yelling (I know this from personal experience). Why is that? I often want to ask these people, why are you so upset? Has life kicked you in the face? Such emotion... What happened to the days of spirited and intelligent debate? Now it just seems like a 2-year old throwing a temper tantrum.

I did have a positive experience with a liberal democrat (his words, not mine) during the Bush-Kerry experience. He calmly told me he was pro-abortion, and that was why he was voting for Kerry. I did not agree with him, but I respected his opinion and the way he stated it (without the tantrum). Unfortunately, that type of experience seems to be a rarity.

EOM.