When Fools Walk In

The Dow

Stock market investors have spent a decade getting nowhere. Of recent memory there was the tech crash followed by the attack on 9/11 and then the financial meltdown all of which when combined contributed to the worst decade since the great depression of the 1930s.

Gold

Gold had a reputation as a hedge against inflation and uncertain times propelled it rise and traders sold more but contrary to common belief inflation rose.

National Debt

As a nation, the United States owes nearly $14 trillion dollars: the consequences of ever growing entitlement programs (party favors), two wars and a financial crisis. Will Congress vote to raise the Nation’s debt ceiling…that is the question?

Unemployment

10 years ago economist worried about wage inflation tied to a 4% U.S. unemployment rate: a problem solved by the recession. Now nearly 16 million Americans have lost there job

Median New Housing Prices

Lax lending practices coupled with Federal policies promoting home ownership created a housing bubble that resulted in higher home prices until 2006 when the housing market started to collapse.

Do You Remember When?

In 2000 a gallon of gas cost $1.48. In 2010 a gallon of gas cost $2.89

In 2000 55.1 billion letters were mailed. In 2010 29.8 billion letters were mailed.

In 2000 the video game industry made $6.6 billion   In 2010 the video game industry made $19.6 billion.  

Average After tax Income when adjusted to inflation:

                        Year 2000                   Year 2007

Top 1%           1,038,700                    1,319,700

Top 1/5^th         170,000                       198,300

Top 5^th            16,500                         17,700

Source: Time Mag. Dec 6, 2010

The parachute was invented in early 12^th Century China: Today the Golden Parachute protects cooperate executives from a falling into disgrace also known as a rescue. Some examples are:

            Robert Eaton CEO of Chrysler…$70 million

            Lee Raymond of Exxon…$350 million

            Robert Nardelli of Home Depot…$210 million

            Hank McKinnel of Phizer Pharmaceutical…$200 million

            Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sacks…$50 million

Sources: www.progressive.org