NYSE Margin Debt reaches New Highs

NYSE Margin Debt reaches all time highs again.  Read more at
http://www.amateur-investor.net/Weekend_Market_Analysis_Oct_26_2013.htm

AI Weekend Market Analysis

The latest Weekend Analysis is at 
http://www.amateur-investor.net/Weekend_Market_Analysis_Oct_19_2013.htm

"Kick the Can" for Another 3 Months

And here we go again.  Another Can Kicking Exercise for 3 Months.  Look for the Federal Government to be shutdown again starting on Jan 15th. 

Listen to the BS from Congress

In the past 24 hours or so here are some headlines on the Debt Ceiling.

10/15/13 08:21 PM ET     Senator Reid and Senator McConnell have re-engaged in negotiations and are
                                       optimistic that  an agreement is within reach
10/15/13 01:10 PM ET     REID ANNOUNCED TO SENATORS THERE'S NO DEAL...REID TOLD
                                       SENATORS MCCONNELL STEPPED AWAY FROM DEAL
10/15/13 01:08 PM ET     White House warns: 'We're far from a deal
10/15/13 06:49 AM ET     Senate leaders near deal to end shutdown, raise debt limit
10/14/13 02:45 PM ET     Reid, McConnell express optimism debt, shutdown deal in reach
10/13/13 05:11 PM ET     Reid and McConnell chat; no deal imminent

So late Sunday Afternoon a deal was dear which Monday Morning was still being pushed by the main stream media.  Then by early Monday Afternoon they were far from a deal.  Meanwhile by early Monday Evening then all of a sudden a deal is within reach again.  What a bunch of freaking idiots.   

    

Congress a Bunch of Idiots

This applies to both sides and the President.  As an individual do the banks allow you to keep piling up debt once you have reached the point of no return?  The answer is no.  However the government thinks it has an unlimited credit card.  This is why we are in this mess because nobody in Congress or the President, for the last three decades, has had the balls to stand up and say we can't spend more than we take in.

No Budget in 2014 Either

Here we go again.  The Federal Government hasn't had an approved Federal Budget since Obama has been in office and has been using a series of Short Term Continuing Resolutions to kick the can down the road.  At some point this is going to blow up and lead to major issues in the years ahead.  

Should American's Retake the Country

Current polls show 60% of Americans believe all of Congress should be voted out of office in 2014.  Unfortunately even if this were to happen they would be replaced by similar people who are rich and will keep the system as is.  The only way to get rid of the corrupt politicians in DC is to get rid of the election process entirely for the House and Senate.  However the Presidential Elections would continue as is.   

In my opinion a lottery type system should be used such that every American regardless of how poor or rich they are has a chance to serve in the House or the Senate for one "4" year term only.  I would set the minimum age level at 25 for which you can be selected.  Also each person selected would have the same perks as those in Congress currently receive and their jobs would be protected while they serve.  Keep in mind the salary for a House or Senate Member is currently $174,000 a year which is far more than what 90% of the people in this country make annually.    

As a result this would weed out the corruption that has evolved over the past several years in Congress and would allow for common Americans to serve their country in a positive manner.  This idea should be voted on by the people of the United States and not those currently in Congress.  The reason I say this is that Congress would never agree to this idea.          

Weekend Market Analysis for October 12, 2013

The latest Weekend Analysis from Amateur Investors is at 

http://www.amateur-investor.net/Weekend_Market_Analysis_Oct_12_2013.htm

My View as a Fed

I have been in the Federal Government since 1989.  I have seen the ups and downs of being a Federal Employee.  In the 1990's when everything was wonderful and people were making substantial sums of money in the Private Sector no one complained how much Federal Employees made.  However since we have seen two major economic events since 2000 and many people lost their high paying jobs there has been a constant attack on Federal Employees and how much they make.   I can remember in the 1990's when people in the Private Sector were making two to three times as much as I was in the same field.  I knew that this was the trade off for having job security as a Fed versus being in the more volatile Private Sector.  Everyone has a choice to make when it comes to job stability.  I'm sure now many people who lost their high paying jobs wish they had chosen Federal Service rather than the Private Sector.