There are different ways to interpret corporate profits and different ways to measure them [and in this article I substantiate] my belief that profits are quite strong and that the market is almost certainly not overestimating their value [unlike other analysts who, in articles here and here, and using different criteria, have come to different conclusions. Please read all the various points of view and come to your own conclusions.] Words: 646

I have great confidence in mankind’s ability to ultimately overcome even the most extreme of crisis but at this juncture, however, America has yet to begin that arduous process. We live an unrealistic lifestyle on borrowed money and borrowed time. [As such, we are on the brink of] a looming crisis with the power to crush the U.S. economy. Unless Washington makes a 180-degree turn, we face a catastrophe that could end our way of life as we know it. Words: 870

Most lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels do not understand the absolute severity of the crisis - that the sheer magnitude of our debt makes the United States extremely vulnerable to an economic attack. We are not too big to fail!...The failure to understand our vulnerabilities with our debt and the strategic bind we have put ourselves in will lead to tragic consequences...The spiraling deficits, unfunded pension liabilities, and the retirement of baby boomers means that the perfect storm is headed our way. Words: 717

The S&P 500 has rebounded about 100% in 100 weeks. What crisis? What new normal? The economy is recovering and happy times are back again. Old normal is back. Stocks for the long run! Permabears be damned! The permabulls are back! Rates are low, core inflation is low. It's Goldilocks time! [Hold on, though. That's only half the picture and the other half does not paint such a rosy picture. Let me explain.] Words: 959

There's a saying in the investment business that when the taxi driver and the delivery person are talking about a "no-lose, gotta-have" investment, it's time to run for the exits. At that point of maximum adoration and comfort, the masses have gone wild and that's often the warning that the smart money is on its way to the exits and the novices will be trampled in the exodus. Think technology stock bubble in 2000, or house flipping three years ago. Now, think gold. Words: 538

Unlike the credit crisis that triggered the last major stock market collapse … the “Fiscal Armageddon” that could “dwarf 2008″ will be intensely personal. Millions of Americans will face the specter of lost incomes … lost savings … lost buying power … lost homes … lost liberty. View the video for all the details.

The U.S. Federal government deficit for fiscal year 2011 has just been revised upwards by a further $378 billion to a whopping $1.645 trillion. As of January 2011, the total outstanding debt of the U.S. Federal government is $14.131 trillion. These numbers are huge, Huge, HUGE but Americans believe there is really no need to worry that much about such astrnomical numbers because they all know that it’s going to get much, much worse. They all know that there’s no sense worrying about this little milestone on the road to hell. Words: 1016

The ‘workforce elite’ in America today are public sector employees and they, led by state and municipal unionized workers, are now in open revolt to preserve their special status, and the status quo. Wisconsin is the current case study in what happens when the government, a monopoly service provider, confronts the fact that the taxpayer is tapped out and can’t take it anymore – and there simply isn’t enough money anymore. Those realities are going to result in major adjustments in worker incomes, future pensions and benefits and their overall standard of living. Let me explain. Words: 2137

Confessions of a Conservative Investor Back in 2004 I made the momentous decision to sell my house in a real estate market that was still spiralling northward rather than wait for it to peak and then try to bail out as it declined. I knew that my cautious [and conservative] inclinations would cause me to miss out on further upside …

It has been determined by a number of market analysts (see below) that the S&P 500 could continue its progression to as high as 1500 in the first half of 2011 before it collapses completely based on a unique comparison with the Nikkei 225. Before you reject this possibility out of hand please read the entire article. Words: 596