We know most of our incomes are now hostage in some way to the stock market, but is that good?

[bigtree]

All of this effort to hold up the market is understandable now that it's packed with the hopes and dreams of more and more average income stockholders in the form of retirement funds, etc.. But, after we're done propping the market up, maybe we should consider whether or not it's prudent to have so much of our fortunes floating on the speculation and opportunism of the market.

And, to consider whether those folks who choose to gamble their money in the stock market should be held more responsible for their choice so that those of us who don't happen to be a part of that money club don't have to bail them out.

We desperately need a more realistic, sustainable economy.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. That would be great. Are we willing to take the risks that would result in that?

[bigtree]

3. I'm more concerned that we don't just dig in further out of the natural defense

. . . of protecting the investments we've already made. But, certainly there are other ways that the government could encourage investment. The stock market is good for these short term gains but less sure in the longer term.

There are plenty of private investment firms outside of the market. What happened to saving our own money in banks? There's not nearly enough encouragement there.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. The greedy do not make enough profit from savings in banks.

All of the big crashes have been the result of overwhelming greed at the top...and of course, those at the bottom paid for sins they never committed.

It was those greedy sob's led by Phil Gramm, who removed some of the controls that could have prevented this latest crash.

[MadMaddie]

2. I agree with you.

What I haven't heard talked about is why is our entire economy based on the credit industry and the stock market. The Stock Market is basically legalized gambling in my eyes (that's just me).

The credit industry is a sham also, it's no different than in the 1900's when ordinary citizens were beholden to the local grocer for bills that never went away, they just added more on their tabs and kept paying the stores.

[bigtree]

5. right. not enough focus on addressing the greed

we're just racing to preserve it. That can only encourage the speculation and opportunism of game to continue with impunity.

We had our Democratic initiatives stripped out of the 'rescue'. I'm more concerned with the fate of those than I am with applying this band-aid.