I'm hopeful that the incredible fear and negativity in the markets
suggest that we're close to a bottom...cause this sure is getting scary.

It does not appear to me as though we are anywhere near the bottom. Every action taken by the Fed to lower interst rates, to bail out banks, of government suggestions to bail-out sub-prime mortgage risk-takers, suggesting that banks forgive a part of consumer debt, passing frivolous economic stimulus packages that we will just end up paying for by other means seems to be a purposeful action to make things worse. I cannot think of time in my adult life where I have been more confused by the actions of the powers that be at the Fed, Big Bu...

I'm hopeful that the incredible fear and negativity in the markets
suggest that we're close to a bottom...cause this sure is getting scary.

It does not appear to me as though we are anywhere near the bottom. Every action taken by the Fed to lower interst rates, to bail out banks, of government suggestions to bail-out sub-prime mortgage risk-takers, suggesting that banks forgive a part of consumer debt, passing frivolous economic stimulus packages that we will just end up paying for by other means seems to be a purposeful action to make things worse. I cannot think of time in my adult life where I have been more confused by the actions of the powers that be at the Fed, Big Business, government, and consumers. It is as if we are living in la-la land. I've thought for a long time there is a Neo-con agenda of equalizing America with the rest of the world in an economic sense and it appears that may be the case.

Well, for one thing the value of the dollar has been devalued intentionally and one of the staples of neo-conservatism is strong corporate/government bonds. Since corporations are mostly global these days it is in the interest of these corporations and governments to have internationalist leanings.
We can also see a previous model for the intentional devaluing of currency that occurred in Europe as a precursor to the Euro.
Then, there is the guilt-laden agendas of liberal-statism and compassionate conservatism that are beginning to bemoan Americas penchant for wealth creation while the most of the world stands still.
I certainly am not a full-blown critic of globalization. I just believe i...

Well, for one thing the value of the dollar has been devalued intentionally and one of the staples of neo-conservatism is strong corporate/government bonds. Since corporations are mostly global these days it is in the interest of these corporations and governments to have internationalist leanings.
We can also see a previous model for the intentional devaluing of currency that occurred in Europe as a precursor to the Euro.
Then, there is the guilt-laden agendas of liberal-statism and compassionate conservatism that are beginning to bemoan Americas penchant for wealth creation while the most of the world stands still.
I certainly am not a full-blown critic of globalization. I just believe it is dangerous that so many people have more influence in our government than individual citizens and we are constantly fed one underhanded back-door deal after another. There is so much that does not make the cover of NYT.