States Debt Pit: Meredith Whitney interview by CNN

I don't know how many of you have seen this video clip of Meredith Whitney, but if you haven't it is well worth the time. The topic is States Debt pit and was on CNN.


In the same article I read the following alarming fact: "Taxpayers have spent $4 billion since 1978 on California's capital punishment system -- and with only 13 executions to show for it. That's about $308 million per execution.

And without substantial changes, the state's total bill will expand to $9 billion by 2030, according to a new study by federal appeals Judge Arthur Alarcón and Paula Mitchell, his law clerk and a professor at Loyola Law School. The situation is now so severe, voters must choose to pay higher taxes or abolish the death penalty, the authors say."

To read the entire article click here.

Market comments for Nov. 26th

Well, it's a short market day today but I can't keep the same prediction as I had yesterday. Today is pointing down around the world. The debt crisis in the Euro zone is spreading beyond Greece and Ireland and now threatens Portugal and Spain according to many stories by the Main St. media outlets. The Dow Futures have been down about 100 points this morning in pre-market and the Euro countries markets are down about 1.5% on average today.

Many like CNBC are hyping the Black Friday Shopping spree, which is the greatest marketing vehicle in America. With all the hype about "shoppers are spending" they hope to entice those weak of mind and discipline to get out there and "help America". Bah Humbug, I say. I'm all for buying gifts for family and others as the next person. I just think the best way to help Americans right now is to help the less fortunate. And those folks are the ones who have been unemployed for 99 weeks or longer. You want to help America? Hire one! Call your Senator and Congressman and have them pass another extension in Unemployment benefits for them. Or you could take in a person who is living on the street and help them get on their feet. Or you can volunteer at a shelter or donate Food to the Food bank in your local community. These are the best things you can do right now. And you can have the courage to disagree with those who say these folks are freeloaders, even if they work with you or live in your neighborhood. Some of us need to stand up to those who have to understand the plight of those who don't have. That's what America used to be like. But it seems in this continual season of partisanship, that has been lost too. And don't blame the victims!

I feel better now. A good rant clears the throat! Now listen to this You Tube video of what's happening over in Europe with this debt issue as one politician "clears his throat" too. You don't hear this in our Congress, but you should!

Market comments for Nov. 11th: Grantham video on CNBC

Yes, if you do nothing more today than listen to this video clip of Jeremy Grantham, Chairman of Grantham Van Otterloo, one of the most respected investment firms, you will not regret it. He manages over $100 Billion in assets and was interviewed by Maria Bartiromo on CNBC.

The market is down about 105 points on the Cisco news today. The Put to Call ratio was only about 0.90 this morning and has since gone lower to 0.83 as of this moment. It surely is not causing a stampede to buy Puts, so this market is still too confident of the Fed in my view and irrational.