Election 2008... Who cares? It's YOUR MONEY stupid!

For any of you that believes we've seen the bottom of the ALL-TIME-FINANCIAL-BLUNDER barrel... think again: WAMU is sunk & JP Morgan/Chase has bailed it out.
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/09/22/daily48.html
WaMu... What Me Worry?

For any of you that believe for a second, that EITHER CANDIDATE, will somehow do some good, in the Oval Office, with promised financial solutions, that will bring the economy back to "normal" ... YOU'RE LIVING A PIPE-DREAM BUD! We're up to our neck in financial DISASTER -biggest seen since the DEPRESSION- and you believe that "The Inexperienced" or "The Maverick" is FIT to run the country? Wake up will ya!

The fact of the matter is: Neither one will solve this Economic Mess. Neither one will provide progress in their first term. BOTH WILL PROMISE EVERYTHING & BOTH WILL BLAME EVERYONE BUT THEMSELVES. Neither Candidate will relieve RECESSION. They're both politicians paid by LOBBYISTS. Paid by the same Entities that brought us into this state. That's reality. That's your NEXT PRESIDENT. Get over it!

The Election is a distraction for what matters most: YOU! What are you going to do now (besides vote for the next dummy). What are you going to do with your Nest Egg. Investor? Where do you move your stocks? Got 401k, how much do you have left? About to retire, how much did you lose? While hospitals all over the country are shutting down, due to ZERO funding, what kind of medical plan do you have... CAN YOU EVEN AFFORD INSURANCE? Does your employment EVEN provide benefits? Got any kids, have you saved for their education yet (as school funding shrinks in every state)? Are they going to work to move out of your house, or stay in your basement, INDEFINITELY? Have they finished learning their SECOND language yet? After speaking fluent Spanish (right after English... HELLO!), you got them started in Mandarin yet? You should. They'll need it! You'll need it. Heck, you'll need ALL the help you can get... WHICH NEITHER CANDIDATE will give you anytime soon!

You (yeah, you) Rightwings & Liberals can rant 'n rave about your favorite chump while both Candidates promise you the Moon 'til the Troops come home (only because I expect to see the cows to arrive SOONER), you'll see no progress for the first four years. The only one that can help you, is yourself and your wit.... VOTE FOR YOU.

Come on. Do sum'thin'! Whatcha gonna do chum... Do sum'thin'!

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[Post edited by tylerdurden on Sep 25, 2008 - CDT 10:19 PM]

Believe it or not, I actually agree with nearly everything you say. No matter who the president is, they will not be able to change anything for the majority of Americans. That responsibility lies in each and every one us. Be responsible with money. Pay off credit cards and student loans and mortgages and cars. Stop buying, buying, buying every day of the year. Defer salary into a 401(k). Set up an IRA or two or three (keeping the $5k limit in mind). Pay yourself first.

The problem is we've been conditioned to be a consumer society. If we don't buy, we're not American or patriotic or even good people. Living on less than you make is a very smart philosophy. Problem is the country (and world) is populated by idiots.

Jason, my ING savings account is doing gangbusters...

The US government spending for the most part has concentrated itself on military for the last 80 years. Maybe if the US starts another war they may climb out of another recession. Wow, how the cycle continues.

That's one thing I could never understand about the US in my time there. They spend billions on military, when they could have focused that money on healthcare, eliminating thousands of dollars spent on insurance companies that do nothing to help the economy flourish. It is only personal gain for most of these companies and employees. Spending money on healthcare would ensure that Hospital staff has jobs, and people actually get cared for, instead of dying because their health insurance ran out. Another big issue with the states is that not enough money is spent within the country itself. I mean mining of its own natural resources had dropped by almost 43% in ten years, because it's cheaper to go elsewhere. But why? I'm really trying to help.

One of the Washington senators the other day was bashing his government, because the healthcare system was buying large amounts of prescription drugs from the Canadian company Rexall. Quit bitching about it and, source the product in the states. Pay that extra 2 or three cents on the hundred, invest in your own products. Stupid business decisions happen everyday, people and business have to get over it, and be brand conscience. When you buy your products, buy local. Part of Canada success not only due to oil in the last 5 or so years, is that people have started to buy in their own economy. It's too easy to go to Wal-Mart and buy the local Chinese trade products, instead of buy local.

My wife and I now watch where the products that we buy are coming from. How insignificant we are in this world, I do believe that others are also following. Produce is a great example. I'm brand loyal only to Canadian produce, if there is no organic local, I buy American. Keeping it with in NA, that good old free trade economy allows me to buy at the same price, and support the American company. Clothing, is another great example. Most of everything is now made in China, or Vietnam. You will be surprised how much in made in your own country if you just look. I'm not telling everyone what they should do, but merely suggesting, YOU are also globally responsible for the decisions that YOU make to help the situation. No individual in government is going to set the balance in your favour. I once said before the economy is a bunch of sleepwalking sheep, I meant it. A simple education lesson for any consumer will at least convey the message to look at what they are buying, and it up to them to make their choices.

Next time you go shopping buy from a local market or shop, the price is usually the same, and you’re supporting the local farmer. The way I see, you shouldn't complain if you’re trying to do something about your situation.

You know Jason you are right on with what I think. Live on less than you make. That is what I try and to. A friend of mine who makes about the same thing I do showed me his new shoes he paid over $150.00 for. I laughed at him and showed him my 19.99 shoes I bought at Wal-mart. They looked just as good for a lot less. I am not broke. But I think now is the time to save. No matter who we elect we are going to loose, or rather we have already lost.

Taco,

I don't like some of the things Dave Ramsey preaches, but he does put people on the right track when it comes to money. Even if it's only $25 a week, put some money into a savings account. IRAs, 401(k)s, HSA's, ESA's...all good things. (My other principle: if it's not on sale, you don't buy it.)

Every Friday, I have an automatic draft of $25 into my ING Savings Account. Once a month, an automatic $50 goes into my Vanguard IRA. Every payday, I put whatever is left in my checking account from the previous paycheck into ING, along with another $100. And $100 goes into each of my two IRA's. Not to mention the $50 per check into the 401(k). Start with whatever dollar amount you want. ($25 a month into my HSA too...) I see people everyday who make next to nothing who are putting $5 per check away (I work in 401(k)s). It's not a lot, but it's something.

Jason, tries to be smart

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[Post edited by JJ79 on Sep 26, 2008 - CDT 9:17 AM]

Well, my question is: Why are people so concerned about tonight's debate- whether it will happen or not (which, apparently... will). When both candidates will just preach the same, tired speeches, then blame one another for what should've, or shouldn't. Both talk about a "unity" for all parties in this crisis, when in reality... neither can even agree behind closed doors.

Tonight's debate will show the people the same old message written in pencil. By tomorrow morning, you're still unemployed. Worse: Homeless!

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[Post edited by xplaytendo on Sep 26, 2008 - CDT 6:04 PM]

well, it looks like wachovia might eat it, too.

cheers.

PLUMMET IS A MILD WORD. Dow just CRASHED over 700 points today!

3 Questions:

1) Do you even still "care" which candidate wins, considering the ASTRONOMICAL CRISIS this "politician" will eat- for the next four years?

2) How's your money today? How's your retirement fund?

3) Where do you move your money now? Do you panic, or ride it out?

I'll be the first one up to bat.

Quote:
1) Do you even still "care" which candidate wins, considering the ASTRONOMICAL CRISIS this "politician" will eat- for the next four years?

Yes, I do care. Why? Reasons which go back to last week, essentially. John McCain wanted to put the debate off to get a handle on the economy (remember that?). Advisors said he could do what he needed to do on the phone. Guess what? Couldn't rally his side for the needed votes.

Quote:
2) How's your money today? How's your retirement fund?

ING Savings account has made .59 interest this month on less than $500. My 401(k) I'm sure is down, but I haven't looked (it's been down all year). My two IRA's...I'm not sure about them either, honestly. Probably down. But I still put money into all those in order to increase my position so when the market goes up, I have more interest.

Quote:
3) Where do you move your money now? Do you panic, or ride it out?

See above. It's rare for me to panic. Therefore, money is staying where it is.

Jason, prudent

You got a lot of patience, JJ... I myself is 'expanding' my horizon. Like up north- Canada. I don't know much about investments, but I heard that IRA's, 401K's, and (the obvious) JOBS will be lost, significantly.

Question: How do you classify a STOCK MARKET CRASH?