Options

The Stock Market and Investing

13839414344213

Comments

  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    I'm hanging with you on this one Tag. Just had a moment of weakness. But I'm going to hang on to my 60-40 ratio for awhile. Earning season should give us a boost but I expect a selloff back to the 10800 level afterward.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    edited October 2010
    I'm hanging with you on this one Tag. Just had a moment of weakness.

    It's understandable, given the continual and dangerous over-abundance of political interference.

    But, as you know very well Len, it's not a good idea to bet against the Fed... and they do seem poised to support the market.

    TM
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Tag,

    With no inflation showing up I'm convinced this is Bernanke's way of quietly weakening the dollar until China supports it's currency and I have to take that into consideration re stocks a lot more than ever. And they are really supporting both the stock and bond markets but at some point you have to run from bonds.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    First, the banks created a lending bubble that exploded the real estate market and threatened the economy. Now, they are screwing up the foreclosures, most of which they caused in the first place... and once again causing havoc with the real estate market.

    The banks seem pathetic.

    And this insane tax-and-spend administration is just as bad.

    Yet another mess in a string of never-ending scandals and problems. What's next?

    TM
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    edited October 2010
    They beat expectations pretty easily from what I heard. It really looks like this will be the norm rather than the exception for many companies earnings reports coming out the next couple weeks. I suppose, the expectation for the AAPL earnings report is rather lofty, but they will still likely beat it.

    I already told you that I am picking up my first Apple product this weekend. A high end iPad. From what I have read on the various reviews, those that have it are hardly ever using their laptops anymore. They absolutely love the iPad.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    edited October 2010
    And this insane tax-and-spend administration is just as bad.

    I know this is for the other board but I wish we could trade the US President for the Chilean President. Look at his leadership on the mine incident in Chile vs the lack of leadership on the BP incident here. Tells you something about an operator vs a writer running things. To think that a trillion dollars, terrorist trials in civilian courts (forgot - we're not supposed to call them terrorists), tax policy etc etc are in his hands. If I think too much about it I have a hard time sleeping.

    Charlie - d'ont underestimate how much profit growth is due to companies running lean and mean. The earnings going up and Wall street valuing companies because of very strong Balance Sheets with huge cash hoards and high incremental margins on revenue growth is finally a sign of fundamentals getting a toehold. A lot of value investors are playing large caps and because of this I shfted heavier into large cap mutuals. In an economy like this you have to look at Capitalized value + cash on hand - debt over earnings as the right PE ratio. But we are also going up because Bernanke is devaluing the dollar and asset prices have to increase in our currecy as a result.
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Well I would think the tax rates will increase, and inherited tax rate also come back, but I would think not as bad as is imagined, along with a republican win in Nov....Jflix I would suggest you look into a `defective grantors trust` and possibly sell your interests to it, with a trustee you totally trust... It can name your wife as a first beneficiary if she were to need the funds, or any portion of them .. It cost me a lot to find out about it many years ago Tony
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Tag and Charlie - Apple goes into the longer and longer hold now. I think the stock now runs to $425-450.
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    Tag and Charlie - Apple goes into the longer and longer hold now. I think the stock now runs to $425-450.

    You beat me to the punch. I was just going to say something about this incredible day for AAPL. On days like this, I wish I had at least 1000 shares. The "sky is the limit" for this stock I will be headed to the Apple Store to pick up iPad in a few minutes.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Tony - I went the GRAT route last year. But in the newly planned higher estate taxes they intend to do away with GRATs from what I've read.
  • anthonypanthonyp Member Posts: 1,860
    Well what is done is done, but I suggest you look into the `defective grantors trust` and it might be something for you later....It`s hard to do estate planning and this one sort of solved most if not all of the problems we all face eventually...It take a really long time to get it completed, and I am glad I did it years ago, although for me expensive at the time..Like everything ..Tony
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    edited October 2010
    Tag and Charlie - Apple goes into the longer and longer hold now. I think the stock now runs to $425-450.

    Well, well... you have defintiely come around from your moment of weakness in a big way! You know I posted two days ago that I expect AAPL to hit a MINIMUM of $400, so we are absolutely on the same page.

    Keep in mind that there are other stocks (hardware component suppliers) that are closely tied to the coattails of Apple's success, and have also been a very good investment.

    How 'bout those banks? And the pathetic way the whole foreclosure situation is being mishandled!! Brace yourself for very serious economic consequences if this thing drags on and isn't taken care of very quickly. It's an absolute outrage!! :mad:

    TM
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Hopefully the banks d'ont take down the market. My strategy all year has been to get in before earnings as I've expected the unemployment situation to allow for strong incremental margins and solid results. This is the first time I didn't follow that strategy.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    edited October 2010
    I do own some bank shares, and although they took a serious hit today, it's better to realilze that BAC, for example, recently went up 16%... so today's mess isn't really that bad if it's put in perspective.

    Besides, the share price isn't what's bothering me. It's the huge impact on the housing market yet again that is going to really hurt all of us. As you said recently, the equity in our homes is partly what drives a lot of the consumer spending, and it had already dried up quite a bit. Now, it's only going to get worse... much worse... if they don't take care of this foreclosure scandal very quickly.

    It is nearly unbelievable to even imagine all the crazy stuff that's been going on in our government and the banks over the last several years.

    Obama, and his wreckless taxaholics and spendaholics, as well as those scandalous greedy bankers all need to be weeded out, and sent somewhere far away. :mad:

    TM
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    edited October 2010
    My theory on the banking and foreclosure mess is this: There are a lot of investors with hordes of cash that would buy up the BAC (fannie/freddie) properties if they can get their act together. My realtor friends are selling the bank owned properties very quickly. I know I have missed several by not being aggressive enough. I think in many areas of the country they are close to the bottom right now. Well below replacement cost with the inflation in building materials no one is talking about. Fannie Mae and the courts are holding up the foreclosures due to poor paper handling by the banks. WSJ has a piece that tells the story just as my daughter has told me. She works for an attorney that does foreclosures.

    Mortgage Damage Spreads
  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    My realestate agent said this would be a good time to flip the Sarasota property I bought in the summer. Most of the short sales in the area belong to BOA, so they all came off the market :D
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    edited October 2010
    Obama, and his wreckless taxaholics and spendaholics, as well as those scandalous greedy bankers all need to be weeded out, and sent somewhere far away

    Tag - seems like they now want to immediately issue $250 Social Security checks to seniors to buy their votes and throw another $15bln out the door. It just makes me sick. Clinton closed down an $11bln Super Collider in great times and after work was already well along, and we lost all our science leadership along with most of our top physicists to Europe and the Hadron collider to boot. Now in horrendous times the leadership wants to spend $15bln for Dems to buy votes. Talk about a bribe vote ! Does anyone in their right mind think Washington knows what it's doing with finances if they are this wreckless. Amazing timing here - announcement of no COLA increases for 2011 is immediately followed by a program to issue a $250 check just before a critical election. Even a dumb finance person would announce a tiny COLA increase and spread that $250 over a period of 12 months starting in January rather than dump it at once. But this isn't about finance it's about bribery.
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    edited October 2010
    Len - It's simple... vote Republican. It may be hard to believe, but a gridlocked government is now a better option than a Democratic government that goes down the wrong path.

    BTW, I spent a good portion of the night reading quite a bit on this whole foreclosure thing, and I now think I will buy a significant number of BAC shares very soon. (Just a little tip, my friend.)

    TM
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,889
    What kind of place in Sarasota?

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    edited October 2010
    A 2300 sft bungalow, water-front (creek) with boat access to/from the gulf. It has a dock with boat lift, a pool enclosed in a lanai and 3br/2bth. It's about a 10 minutes drive to Siesta Key Beach
    Everything is in good working condition for a grand total of 260K.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    How does your Citi strategy play into the current emerging disease these banks so intuitive have managed to suppress? I assume "This.too,shall pass" but is Citi the worst of the bunch?

    Debt is debt and the management of their debt portfolio obviously is so far from being healthy, IMVHO.

    Regards,
    OW
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    Len,

    I am replying to your post above using my new iPad. I do not yet know how to copy and paste. Regardless, this thing is slick and super fast. I'm sure that once I learn all it's tricks, I will enjoy it even more.

    Regarding your statement dealing with the $250 check to be issued to seniors, I find several problems with it. First of all, this will not come to a vote until after the election. So your word "bribery" seems a little out of line. Secondly, let's get serious here. For them to say that there has been no inflation (and thus not cost of living adjustment (COLA)) since 2008 is pure BS. Hasn't the cost of food gone up substantially since then? Besides, what is the big deal about a "measly" $15 billion when we have been throwing around $trillions? A lot of the seniors have a very difficult making ends meet and if this bonus helps them in this regard, I am for it.

    I realize that I am the only one of the posters here that supports this administration even though I agree with you at Obama has not been a great leader (I am a bit disappointed). To blame everything and anything on this administration is TOTALLY wrong in my opinion. Look! Let's face it. Basically everyone that posts on this forum is upper middle class and higher (wealthy). So to complain about this $250 check to be issued (if passed) after the election is a bit selfish in my opinion. I know that some of you will fire back and say it has nothing to do with selfishness and that this is just another example of this "spend and tax" administration. My reply is that there has to be some balance here. We cannot totally ignore those in need.
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    The New York Times article the really caught my eye is the one on consumer spending. It was up more than expected. I like that it supports my thinking about the average American consumer. Whatever they have, they will spend :) .
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    > $250 check to be issued to seniors, I find several problems with it. First of all, this will not come to a vote until after the election. So your word "bribery" seems a little out of line.

    The talk of $250 is clearly bribery. It's clear the democrats will force this through. Just another measly $15000000000 dollars--what's to worry. At the same time the _New_ Obama is trying to triangulate and present himself as a spendthrift to cut those awful deficits (that he and his regime caused).

    >Secondly, let's get serious here. For them to say that there has been no inflation (and thus not cost of living adjustment (COLA)) since 2008 is pure BS.

    Have the social security bunch been receiving COLA increases all along at a rate higher than the rate of inflation actually affects them--such as the cost of housing didn't affect them since they don't buy many news houses.

    >Basically everyone that posts on this forum is upper middle class and higher (wealthy). So to complain about this $250 check to be issued (if passed) after the election is a bit selfish in my opinion

    I have no idea what incomes of others in the group are and I don't think those factor into reality.

    It's time to stop the bleeding of our country and our children's futures. I recall the 60s, 70s, and 80s where every election was filled with MEtzenbaum and Taft and others promising increases in the subsidy that was social security to the older folks. "Vote for me and I'll increase your payout from other's Ponzi Scheme payments into the plan," was the promise each time.

    Somehow social security evolved into a concept that people think should be a full retirement plan--all paid for by OPM (other people's money), not by the money of those paying in. So now to buy votes in the election when the democrats have dug such a huge hole for our economy with the trillions of increases in debt is simply unthinkable. Sinful.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    edited October 2010
    We cannot totally ignore those in need.

    If Obama truly wanted to help those in need...

    - He would be much more supportive of business, which would help create jobs.
    - He would significantly lower taxes, which would help stimulate the economy and put a lot more than $250 into everyone's pocket.
    - He would stop categorizing rich people as those that make over $250K, which is absurd.
    - He would do something about the illegal aliens.
    - He would put an end to lobbying and special interests.
    - He would attempt to stop the outrageous wasteful spending.
    - He would have stepped in to NOT allow a Muslim building (or ANY religious building for that matter) to be built at ground zero.
    - He would not try to have a policy that tries to convince us that a devalued currency is a good thing (if that was true there'd be a lot of third world countries that were financial powerhouses).
    - He would have stood up to the Chinese regarding their currency manipulation and trade practices.
    - He would have been doing something significant to stop our energy dependence
    - He would have handled the Gulf disaster a lot better than he did.
    - He would have a foreign policy that would stop the terrorists, instead of giving them a timetable to wait until he makes our country vulnerable.
    - He would bring the political parties together to get results instead of being too polarized.
    - He would have a plan in place to prepare for the lack of effective antibiotics, a problem that is about to seriously strike this country.
    - He woud also have a plan in place to deal with the killer viruses that are emerging.
    - He would have concrete environmental protection plans in place that were both good for business and the environment.

    Don't get me started about this president that has had so much potential to do so much good, yet has done hardly anything good at all, and is pointing us in the wrong direction. He is a horrible president. Wasting our time and so much of our money.

    :mad: :mad:

    BTW, good luck with your iPad. Hope you enjoy it. If it had a fold-out keyboard, I'd be a buyer. There are going to be third-party keyboards that attach to a folding case very soon, so maybe at that time. Also, there is a very good chance that the Macbook Air will be improved as early as next week, and that might be more appealing. In addition, I think a slightly smaller tablet would make more sense, and there is rumor that such a product might be coming in the future. Anyway, lots of luck with it... it's an amazing product... you did a good job posting with it. :)

    TM
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    edited October 2010
    I agree with your itemizations.

    Worst of all is he has done almost none of the things he promised during the campaigning (which has rarely stopped since he took office!).

    Transparency. Bringing people together. ...and on and on.

    But he feels campaign statements and image are more important than reality.

    The sin is that he passed up the chance to spend money to stimulate small businesses and jobs in 2009 January. He gave the money to the party who was like a kid in a candy store with spending. No money for stimulating the economy summer of 2009. Things stayed slow.

    Just think how much better the economy would be now if the spending the trickle down effect had actually started with real spending in the 2009 year. I believe he and his party felt it would have effect and everything would be bubbling with happy people for this election in 2010; but that backfired.

    I still see small businesses closing due to lack of spending from customers.

    Such a shame that the Dems didn't make Job One spending and true stimulus for summer of 2009--those shovel ready projects he pretended he was funding. Most of those were union jobs that started spending in 2010.

    Such a shame what he's done to us.

    Ironically, now of late all of his Hah'vard educated advisors seem to be creeping back to their shielded offices at their university jobs--they're leaving. That damage is done.

    He's so incompetent in application of the economy stimulus.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    edited October 2010
    Yes it's only the Democrats that have raised the deficit. That's crock and you know it. When Bush (GW) took office the deficit was $5 trillion. When he left office, it was $10 trillion. In fact some of the largest deficit increases were under Republican regimes the past 40 or 50 years. What all of you here keep ignoring is that this nation and the entire world for that matter was on the brink of a total financial collapse. If these emergency measures were not implemented immediately, it was all over but the crying.

    I obviously dispute everything you state above. I sleep better at night by caring for those that have little or nothing. By the way, I will almost guarantee you that everyone that posts here is upper middle class and most likely higher. So for you to say that it is not relevent is ingenuine. Is it just a coincidence then that pretty much all here (except for yours truly) blame this administration for all the problems we face today?
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    BTW, good luck with your iPad. Hope you enjoy it. If it had a fold-out keyboard, I'd be a buyer. There are going to be third-party keyboards that attach to a folding case very soon, so maybe at that time. Also, there is a very good chance that the Macbook Air will be improved as early as next week, and that might be more appealing. In addition, I think a slightly smaller tablet would make more sense, and there is rumor that such a product might be coming in the future. Anyway, lots of luck with it... it's an amazing product... you did a good job posting with it.

    I am going to ignore the political talk right now since I wholeheartedly disagree with just about everyone here.

    As far as the iPad keyboard is concerned, I actually love the virtual keyboard on it. I find it very easy to type. In fact, I like it better than a regular keyboard. So far I like everything about the iPad. The problem is I have not yet figured out how to copy and paste a portion of a text. The quote above was done from my laptop.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    >I am going to ignore the political talk right now

    Errr, you said:

    "I realize that I am the only one of the posters here that supports this administration even though I agree with you at Obama has not been a great leader (I am a bit disappointed). To blame everything and anything on this administration is TOTALLY wrong in my opinion. Look! Let's face it. Basically everyone that posts on this forum is upper middle class and higher (wealthy). So to complain about this $250 check to be issued (if passed) after the election is a bit selfish in my opinion. I know that some of you will fire back and say it has nothing to do with selfishness and that this is just another example of this "spend and tax" administration. My reply is that there has to be some balance here. We cannot totally ignore those in need."

    You brought it on.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    >So for you to say that it is not relevent is ingenuine. Do you mean disingenuous?

    I do not think it is relevant what income's someone has here?

    What kind of PC talk is that?: one cannot have a political opinion on this fiasco if one's income is above $80,000, or $250,000?

    >I sleep better at night by caring for those that have little or nothing.

    How do you feel about caring for those who know how to milk the system, be they welfare cheats and welfare baby factories or Wall Street fake paper traders or Clinton Era (Janet Reno) or Franklin Raines (Barney Frank's "Friend") mortgage pimps for those who couldn't afford a door let alone a house?

    All this factors into the financial investments to be made now two full years after what's-his-name now took the reins with his regime of educated folk with all the answers.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    That's crock and you know it. When Bush (GW) took office the deficit was $5 trillion. When he left office, it was $10 trillion.

    I cannot let that just slip by as fact. When GW took office the national debt was at $5.7 trillion. When the Democrats took over the Congress in January of 2007 the debt was at $8.69 Trillion. When Obama took office in Jan 2009 it was at $10.6 mostly from Democrat spending and GW the lame duck tired of fighting against the odds against him in the Congress. Jump forward 20 months of Obama and the national debt as of the first of October was a whopping $13.6 trillion. The Democrats have upped the debt more in 20 months than GW and the GOP did in 6 years with two wars. Check for yourselves to see what this bunch of losers have done to our economy in less than 4 years being in control. Obama makes Carter almost look competent.

    http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    We cannot totally ignore those in need.

    We help people every week via the church. What I am against is taking your money and giving it to someone else to spend. I should not have the right to do that. The Democrats feel they should be able to take from whomever they choose and give to whomever they choose. Most of the time in a manner calculated to garner votes for their candidates. That is the basic reason I could never vote for a Democrat again.

    You have already alluded to the fact that the current government, that is controlled by the Democrats completely, have said there is no basis for a COLA raise to SS recipients. So how can you give them a bye on that lie, when they make the grandiose statement they are going to give us a $250 bonus. For what, if there is no cost of living increase, what is the $250 for? If it is not to buy votes it sure looks like it. Makes no difference when they do or do not send us the check. They made the statement to get the votes for the party making the promise.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    In addition to all the points that Tag made, here are a few more items that sum up my personal feelings about Obama. These were contained in an open letter to Obama from Lou Pritchett, an executive with Proctor and Gamble.

    Just google Mr. Pritchett to see his credentials, then read the following and give it some thought:

    You are the 13th President I have lived under, and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

    You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

    You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible means of support.

    You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

    You scare me because you have never served in our military so have no understanding of it at its core.

    You scare me because you lack humility and class, always blaming others.

    You scare me because for over half of your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

    You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

    You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with one controlled by the gov.

    You scare me because you prefer windmills to our own vast oil, shale, natural gas and coal reserves.

    You scare me because you have begun using extortion tactics against some banks and corporations.

    You scare me because you will not even listen to or consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

    You scare me because you did not spend your formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally, you are not an American.


    There were a few more points, but that is enough to sleep on.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,467
    edited October 2010
    Funny rebuttals to the Pritchett letter

    Pritchett is a leading figure in American corporate management - and look at the lack of accountability and extreme absence of sustainable planning in the American corporate world. Very dirty credentials.

    All of this babble about Barry is moot - the White House does not control banks and corporations and the top few, it's the other way around. Nothing regarding the economy would be any better had Geezer and Dingbat won, and nothing will really change no matter who wins in November or in 2012 (and it likely won't be Barry unless the GOP messes up AGAIN).

    Pointless politics shouldn't invade this thread. Divide and conquer...think about that, it's the new American direction.
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    edited October 2010
    Sorry about my stupid typo. Of course the word is disingenuous.

    I do think that income is very much in play in THIS forum. Why is it that you are all of the same political thinking and SO much against this Administration? Would you still have e same opinion if your annual income was let's say less than $30K per year? I very much doubt it.

    I dispise everyone that cheats. Republicans, if anything, over the years have been more corrupt and bigger cheaters than Democrats. So don't talk to me about cheaters.
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    Mr. Pritchett scares me because of what he says about Obama!
  • cyclone4cyclone4 Member Posts: 2,302
    edited October 2010
    Thank you for at least trying to bring some balance into this discussion. Anyone joining this forum for the first time would think that this is meeting place for the wealthy Republicans :D .
  • tagmantagman Member Posts: 8,441
    edited October 2010
    Anyone joining this forum for the first time would think that this is meeting place for the wealthy Republicans.

    While most of the discussion here about Obama is relevant to the economy... some of it has indeed gone a little too far off course for this forum.

    My apologies.

    I do want to say this to you Charlie...

    Obama definitely considers me rich, and it sounds like you do as well. Believe it or not, it takes a whole lot of income to live in a decent part of California, pay the ridiculous federal and state taxes, health insurance premiums for an entire family, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, absurd property taxes, food, water, clothing, college tuition (trying to save for it), mortgage payment, and much, much more. Then just hope that something is left over to take a vacation or enjoy a good Christmas. No disrespect, but you honestly do seem to be out-of-touch with what it takes. Certainly Obama has NO IDEA. It takes waaaaay more than $250K to do it.

    My investment portfolio might give the impression that I've got tons of money, but the truth is that I can't touch that money for quite a few years. It's all in a retirement trust, and yes I can invest freely and watch it grow, but it's of no use to me to make my ends meet every month.

    It kills me that my small business is under so much pressure from so much government interference. It is something that I know very well first-hand. I know it is WRONG the way our government makes it soooo hard to be successful. I have to pay attorneys and accountants and bookkeepers and government agencies sooooo much just to be able to comply with the tons of rules and regulations. It's truly wrong and does not reward success, it punishes it. I know this first-hand.

    You seem to think that the government has the right to be so invasive in our business and personal financial lives. I totally disagree with the level it has become. It's waaaay tooooo much interference.

    Anyway, I just wanted to let you know why I see things the way I do. I experience the challenges of a government that taxes waaaay tooooo much and punishes success waaaay tooooo much, and all I want to do is try to raise a family. I can't even imagine how someone making $250K could be considered rich in California. That's just plain dog poo.

    I totally understand that Obama wants to raise money... but to look to the American worker and decide to raise taxes is an outrage when sooooo much money is being wasted by his own fellow politicians. He should be looking internally, not externally. It's downright immoral, and sooooo wrong I can't stand it, and I can't defend or support that kind of thinking. It's corrupt.

    TM
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    >Why is it that you are all of the same political thinking and SO much against this Administration?

    That's because we are clear thinkers who are able to discern the truth about what is going on. Obama and his minions have relied on the fact that many people are concerned about what they can get from the government, other people's money, and not concerned about enabling this once great country to strengthen its world position again.

    Instead we have people, indeed, trying to divide and conquer as fintail said. Once again, The Great Uniter, has skin color as a factor trying to divide us. Check for articles about democrats trying to get blacks out to vote because they will (blindly) vote democrat and might make a difference in some districts around the country. But let someone else mention skin color as a factor, they are branded as being racists.

    Again, having run a business or having business sense takes one a long way from the idea of take from the rich and give to those who want someone else's money. That's why Joe the Plumber was perceived by the media as such a threat. He represented someone working to better himself. Tangent to that he had tripped up the great campaigner and a reality fact exposed the lie of what the campaigner was pushing as his line.

    Now that the regime and all the intellectuals are being sent back to their pretty offices in their ivory towers at great institutions by the Obama, are their replacements going to be people with more reality-based views on how the economy of this country must be redirected? I recall a few months back when John Boehner, representative of a nearby and adjacent district here, said Obama needs to fire all his advisors. Remember that statement met by derision by part of the press and the White House Press Secretary?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    edited October 2010
    >Republicans, if anything, over the years have been more corrupt and bigger cheaters than Democrats. So don't talk to me about cheaters.

    Whoops. Another one. I suspect most of the cheaters are democrat-leaning voters taking welfare and having a man around the house while the lady with kids claims there is no husband or surrogate man. I suspect most are getting as much of public assistance and money from groups and churches after being schooled on hos to get the most bucks from various groups (search Raleigh Trammell and dayton sclc, etc.). I recall stories about how after two babies young girls would be set up in apartments of their own in the past years. Besides getting a larger subsidy, they gained independence from their mother's home at the expense of local taxpayers. Perhaps that's not true all around the country...

    I suspect many of the people using welfare cards to pay at the stores are actually earning money on the side that they're not reporting.

    >Why is it that you are all of the same political thinking and SO much against this Administration?

    I believe the problem is you're trying to talk about other posters within the group. I believe the forum rules discourage that because it often leads to harsh results.

    But I can answer that quickly: he lies, won't tell the whole truth about his past, and he's a hypocrit. The media helped elect him by refusing to do any vetting on facts. He got huge amounts of money in the form of donations from unknown. But he tries to paint the funds usage by the Chamber of Commerce as illegal--his own campaign bought the White House (with help from Bush's across-the-aisle compassionate conservatism and spending).

    After two years of spending for political purposes rather than actually trying to stimulate small businesses in this country and tripling or more the deficit spending, we have nothing to show for it.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Believe it or not, it takes a whole lot of income to live in a decent part of California

    Amen to that. I have a very decent retirement and savings. Most of San Diego is above my income. To get the home I have now 35 miles from downtown San Diego in a decent part of the city would be $2-3 million, even in this economy and housing depression. A fixer in LaJolla or Coronado will still be a million+. You will need close to half a million in the bank to get the loan. And close to $200k per year income. There are homes in the ghettos selling for up to $400k right now. Most non government jobs do not pay $200k plus. That leaves those of us not so fortunate as public employees, with a long commute or jammed into tenement housing. I did not run the cost of living up in CA, the Feds and state government has. They keep adding programs to fix failed programs.

    Sure I feel sadness for the person wandering the streets with a shopping cart full of their belongings. That does not mean it was my fault they may have made poor choices that ended them up in that situation. Nor do I feel obligated to get them out of it.

    I second Keith on the cheaters. BY FAR they are Democrats playing the Welfare programs for every penny. They far out number the shyster bankers and Wall Street thieves. Not to mention the 1000s of elitist professors in our Universities knocking down $250k or more per year with outrageous benefits on the backs of the middle class.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Obama ran as a moderate but governs as a radical extremist. I actually had high expectations of him but it turns out that he lied and misled everyone while campaigning. To me that is unforgivable.

    Here is a prediction for you. Once he is kicked out of office he will eventually leave this country and make his home elsewhere. Electing him was a huge mistake and at some point even the kool aid drinkers will have to admit this.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    edited October 2010
    Regarding your statement dealing with the $250 check to be issued to seniors, I find several problems with it. First of all, this will not come to a vote until after the election. So your word "bribery" seems a little out of line. Secondly, let's get serious here. For them to say that there has been no inflation (and thus not cost of living adjustment (COLA)) since 2008 is pure BS. Hasn't the cost of food gone up substantially since then? Besides, what is the big deal about a "measly" $15 billion when we have been throwing around $trillions? A lot of the seniors have a very difficult making ends meet and if this bonus helps them in this regard, I am for it.

    Charlie,

    As far as I know there was a COLA increase in 2010 only. 2011 now becomes 2 years in a row. So the fact that this news comes out just after that announcement and just before the elections is about as great a circumstantial evidence case of bribery as I have ever seen. But ask yourself this. If we need a new $50bln roads program and now a $15bln social security program while there are still $220bln in funds unused from the original $800bln stimulus program then how in the world is Obama not wreckless. You've already got copious funds in inventory and you need to add more ?/!

    I am reading a very in depth story in the Sunday NY Times magazine. Anything written by the Times on Obama for all intent and purpose is self written by an Obama aide. There can be no bigger fan of Obama than the NY Times. It is not a favorable article for him. Basically this guy is all about anticipation and nothing about execution. He would rather appear in front of 80,000 people in a rally than meet with a 100 people in how to execute a plan to revive the economy. He has made speeches in front of "hard to get" leaders of business and left right afterward without participating in the meeting leaving the Dems that put the meetings together speechless and unbelieving. Even the guy who put together the Hope painting at Obama's inauguration has now lost hope in him. Yet Obama is so delusional that he actually thinks he's accomplished 70% of his objectives and doesn't understand how he lost so many people in the process. He actually believed that no one could resist him. The Times tries to write this as soft as possible but it's pretty clear they have lost faith in him too, as in their own soft way they basically are saying he's not leading and is indecisive. And I think the Times reporter is amazed that Obama has so much passion to hit the campaign trail and go back to his pre-presidential campaign for the current elections than use his power. What all this tells me is the guy wants to be an idolized Pop Star, not the President of the US. He can't lead and from what I've read of the article I think he now realizes it.

    Now I hope this series of posts stays here because the upcoming elections and the fact that Wall Street has thrown 85% of its money behind Reps and that a part of the recent 8-10% jump in the market, is due to the anticipation of Reps taking control of the House and Senate makes the discussion revelant here. I actually think a better name for this thread is Investing on Wall Street in the current Political and Economic climate. Many of my decisions are made by the latest economic data and a change in political atmosphere. And I think if we lose the Bush tax tables than we are going to see a 10% downward correction in the market.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    edited October 2010
    Here's the NY Times mag article. I'm about 2/3rds through it. Just keep in mind how big an Obama supporter they are. I read the Times everyday and they bleed whenever they have to criticize him so they keep that to an absolute minimum. So that's the perspective you need to know when reading this. In the comments section there is a Dem voter from Arizona who campaigned for him and is now dead against him. His comment reflects the folks I know who voted for him - most of whom are life long Dems.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/magazine/17obama-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the link.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • 2001gs4302001gs430 Member Posts: 767
    BTW, I spent a good portion of the night reading quite a bit on this whole foreclosure thing, and I now think I will buy a significant number of BAC shares very soon. (Just a little tip, my friend.)

    What is your entry price, range?
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Tag - add to your list he made Pelosi run wild, so much so that just about every democrat avoids any talk of her. She is hopelessly lost - on everything and she is so much more the face of the Democratic party rather than Obama to the American voters. Obama comes across to me as a beat-up person that will do whatever Pelosi wants.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    edited October 2010
    Totally agree with everything you stated. You want to prosper and live a nice life and become financially secure for yourself and your family but that is wrong in Obama's mentality - other than for him I'd imagine - given he is wealthy. The way he has handicapped small business - and I'm talking 5mln to 100mln businesses is sickening and is what is hurting job creation. His lack of decisiveness on the Bush tax credits is another thing. Talk of a 60-65% estate tax is astounding. Lack of leadership on the gulf spill is another. Responding to a question about the right to build a Mosque at ground zero with the constitutional answer but avoiding an ethical question on the same thing points to his lack of leadership and indesciveness. Did he really not have an opinion? And d'ont even get me started on civil trials for the 9/11 murderers who are at war with the US, not trying to rob the corner grocer. But at the end of the day Charlie, the better question is how on earth has he alienated so many folks on all sides in less than two years and have his own party disagreeing with him on so many things, so much so that they ask him to stay away from their campaigns.

    I'll turn the table here and ask you - what has he done that makes him so supportable in your eyes? The stock bounceback to 10K would have happened under anyone. The world market comeback alone would have brought that about. Beyond that the improvement is in valuations and a lot of that is because they streamlined payroll costs. I d'ont lay the economy on Obama. Nor do I lay it off on Bush either. That is actually a financing correction and could have started anywhere in the world with a great domino effect in such a globally traded economy. What I lay on Obama though is that his policies d'ont attack the problem and his wreckless spending will at some point hurt us again in a new way unless it gets under control. And this time it will be a lot more isolated. He gets miffed at world leaders because their correcting actions are more republican in nature than in his tax and spend mentality. Again in my eyes he seems to be a guy that likes anticipation (campaigning) rather than execution. He's not an operator and in this time of bad economics we needed an operator more than anything else.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,889
    That's because we are clear thinkers who are able to discern the truth about what is going on.

    lol..

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

Sign In or Register to comment.