So who is really in charge?  I think events of the last decade have shown us that it is really those who were bailed out and their ilk who are really in charge.   We live in dangerous times... but not for them.  They're golden.

Wolann, go back to school.  Right now, the dollar has been strengthening, and gold falling, as is the stock market.  When that corner is turned and the dollar weakens again, gold will rise.  Watch and see.  Stock market will tend to rise some also, but there are many other factors that make stocks rise or fall, so stoc...more

The whole thing simply underscores the corrupt, unethical behavior of large banks, particularly investment bankers.   This type of bait-and-switch and pandering to the wealthy, while screwing the little guy is exactly what Occupy Wall Street is about.   This has got to stop, or it will eventually lead to a revolution. ...more

you are wrong... I was born in '55 and demographers consider this to be right in the middle of the baby boom.  Babies didn't instantly come out in '46, this was the beginning.  The mid 50's was the middle of the boom.

I am a boomer, born 1955.  I am extremely disappointed in my generation... the idealism and renewal of the 60's gradually was lost and turned to financial opportunism and consumerism... encouraged and preyed upon by a multitude of firms... but building industries went by the wayside, instead replaced by selfish, corrup...more

Mont. Wards, Sears, then next it'll be JCP.  Sorry to say, this type of concept doesn't work anymore.  Ask K-Mart, they're in a similar pinch.  One thing you have to have is quality.  You can't sell junk.  The other thing is that a dept store has to have helpful clerks, or the concept just doesn't work at all.  They...more

Fords are good.  I have a '03 Explorer that has met my needs very well, with low maintenance costs and it still looks good and runs good at 170,000 miles.  I have no doubt that I can put another 100K on it with just normal maintenance.   I know other people who have gotten over 350,000 miles on their explorer or p...more

Finally we have the truth, that has always been the truth:  brokerages and stock markets are croupiers and gambling halls, respectively.   It is gambling.

Jim, I think that was an excellent article, the best I've seen from you for a while.  It hits the situation square on the nose with a realistic way to play the period, taking many aspects into account.  Thanks.