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Stocks end wild session mixed, Dow falls 128

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Thank the Democrats | 8:23 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Go ahead and ignore all the kool-aid drinkers who are under orders to blame everything on Bush ... when it comes to blame on the side of government for this financial problem you can look almost entirely at the Democrat leadership in congress. The warning bells were sounded years ago and they chose to ignore them in their never-ending pandering quest to buy votes. Failed eight years? Try failed decades of horrible leadership by Democrats in congress.

Hey Democrats ... thanks for nothing.
Funny | 8:36 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I just saw on one of those business shows that the last time greedy CEOs and "asleep at the wheel Federal Regulators" caused such a swoon in the Dow was in 2000. Gee, who was the president then?

Oh yeah, Bill Clinton.

Thanks, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, for doing such a great job chairing our Senate and House Finance/Banking Committees. How much did you two get from Fannie and Freddie again in campaign contributions?

Why are these two not in prison???
AZ Concerned | 8:59 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Look Out Below
Comments continue below
Iona S. Hall | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
A picture hangs in our home of George Washington kneeling beside his white horse, painted by Arnold Friberg, entitled THE PRAYER AT VALLEY FORGE. Below it reads: I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintending of them into His Holy keeping. Signed: George Washington.
May we too give mighty thanks to our maker for the blessing we have of living in this wonderful country, and may we give thanks to those who lead with sincerety and honesty, and pray for all.
Scriptures state that people will prosper only if they obey the commandments of God. A great leader, in speaking about: Abortion: "An Assault on the Defenseless", recently said: "Individuals will prosper only when they walk in faith and obedience to God."
Morgan | 9:10 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Just wait. You know they're going to say it... Before long, the news will be filled with stories about how bad it would have been had we not injected over a trillion dollars into the markets. (The total of all of the bailouts, investments, etc. is now over a trillion dollars)
Panic | 9:20 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Hooray....everyone keep panicking please. Because every time you freak out and sell for a loss, someone (like me) makes a bunch of money.

There's one born every minute.....
buying today/Bush | 9:21 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I was lucky to sell everything and move to T-bills already in late August. Today I sold 10% of my T-s and bought into a value fund. All the money ($3-4 trillion) that central banks have pumped has to go somewhere, and I can't be the only one who believes we are at near bottom and there a bargains to be had.

I could smell that a problem was coming (tho I had no idea how bad) because I just don't trust Bush to handle complicated problems. After Rumsfeld, I also don't trust him to make good appointments to the Cabinet=Paulson, Benranke.

Utah needs to wake up, Republican ideas are exhausted.
Anonymous | 9:27 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
The Republicans have been in power for most of my adult life.

Only a partisan hack, with no respect for this country, and dead set on "winning" over the safety of their family, would blame this mess on democratic principles.

I have never seen such tax and spend (make that, borrow and spend) policies like these fat Republican politicians that litter our White House and halls of Congress.

I want to go back to liberal tax and spend policies where we are just making sure a grandmother doesn't have to eat cat food, instead of dumping $1 trillion in a vanity war for George Bush and his friends.

Yeah, i want to tax AND spend....so a a child going to the ER with an infection can get treated instead of lose a limb.

isn't that terrible?

The conservative principles of George Bush and his gang of thieves have ruined this country. And those of you who support him will be asked to answer for it, if not by your maker, than by your grandchildren.
Henry Drummond | 9:33 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I moved out of the market over a year ago. The result is that my 401k hasn't been hurt at all by this. Had I stayed in I would have lost 40% of it by now.

This is what deregulation has brought us. Welcome to the end of the Reagan Revolution.

GMC | 11:12 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Republican or democrat, they all follow the beat of the same drum: special interests who pay their lobbyists to push our government where they will. Vote your conscience but unless those you vote for also have a strong grasp on right and wrong and consciences to follow decent and morally right choices things will not change or get better.
Thanks | 11:13 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Thanks Bill Clinton
re: Funny | 11:43 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
t is interesting to note that when the law was passed for people to get tax exempt money every two years on the sale of their home, which drove the prices of homes up, up, up thus over inflating the economy setting us up for failure was a well known president in 1998.... BILL CLINTON.

Yep, the ripple effect is hitting today REAL HARD, and people want another dumbocrat in office? You're kidding me, right?
CougarKeith | 11:51 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Why are we "Blaming" Democrats and Republicans? The fact is we are in a huge mess and working together as AMERICANS, not Democrats or Republicans will fix the problem. Adding Pork to a 700 billion dollar bill to make it a 800 billion dollar bill to get votes is greedy and not looking out for America, it's a "What's in it for me" attitude! This is so sad, it will get worse because Trust in Banks and the Markets is so low. Nobody knows which banks actually are ok, and which aren't. I think by the time this is done you will see the worst drop in the history of the markets EVER! We are waiting for that to happen, then this "Joe Sixpack" Family will invest in the market with it's 401K again rather than leave it in safe house investments. Dear Anonymous 9:27 a.m., you don't have a clue what you are talking about, G.W.Bush had some of the best Economic years of America AFTER HIS TAX CUTS! Growth in America was at an ALL TIME HIGH! Revenues were at an ALL TIME HIGH!!! I won't blame who is to blame, just hope we fix this mess!
DAVE from Midvale | 12:36 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
After all is said and done on this matter, the real question is. . .

Who's going the sit around and pout about this thing and finger point and do the blame game; OR who's going to make a grundle of money???

Be smart!!!!!!!
Buy, buy, buy | 12:47 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Hey doom and gloom buddies. The trick on Wallstreet is to buy low and sell high. Guess what, right now is low, so its time to buy. If you bought high, don't sell now. This isn't rocket science. The biggest issue is to not panic if you already own stocks because those who panic will lose.
Blame the SEC | 12:57 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
The SEC is responsible. They suspended short trading on some 800 financial stocks in September until Oct 2. And look what happened! It would have been better if they did nothing at all.
Go ahead and Panic | 1:10 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I agree with the earlier poster - if you want to keep on selling low, go for it. I'll just keep on buying it up.

What a bunch of sheep!
Buy Low Sell High | 1:59 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I am a Realtor and I am selling homes right now that "were" for sale for 1.5 million dollars but are selling today for $500,000. Those hose will someday be back to the 1.5 million.

Hello complainers. The smart people are buying right now.

If you snooze you L........

Clinton, Democrats? | 2:10 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Who controls the power of the veto? Bush Jr. Who left the presidency with annual surpluses? Who paid down the national debt that was stacked by Reagan and Bush Sr? Clinton!!!!!!!!!
Who was in control of the congress for the first six years of the Bush Jr. administration, giving him unchecked power to run huge deficit spending? Republicans!!!!!!!!!!
What is causing this problem? Debt, Debt Debt!!!!!!!!
Blame who you want, but the facts are still the same. Bush And Republicans are ultimatly responsible!!!!!!!!!
It's all the liberal's fault's | 2:25 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Most of the Democratic Platform consists of promising benefits that will cost already burdened taxpayers aplenty. There's no mention of how these extravagant handouts will be paid for. For example, the Democratic Platform enthusiastically endorses the incredibly extravagant worldwide handouts in the bill sponsored by Barack Obama called "the U.S. Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015." The Platform promises to "double our annual investment in meeting these challenges to $50 billion by 2012." The Democrats say "we need stronger international institutions." So, their Platform promises to "create a $2 billion Global Education Fund with the goal of supporting a free, quality, basic education for every child in the world." The Democratic Platform is full of proposals to raid the pockets of John Q. Taxpayer and reduce the American standard of living. This includes "an economy-wide cap and trade program," a plan to "reduce oil consumption by at least 35 percent, or ten million barrels per day, by 2030," and designing legislation based on the belief that "global climate change is the planet's greatest threat." McCain and Sarah is who we want in Office. Obama caused this in the first place.
Americans are not stupid | 3:50 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
All the hacks who never mention that George Bush and the Republicans have been running the country for 8 long years must think Americans are stupid.

On the economy, the buck stops with George Bush. The fact is that McCain is too much of a coward to admit that Bush wrecked the economy.

Americans are not stupid, we know who has been in power, and I for one say: Enough.
It your fault | 4:06 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
First Obama had no experience - now he has done so much in his career to cause the greatest financial crisis in history. You're right it was the democrats that caused this, also the republican. In other words it is almost all of us that share this blame. Be an adult and accept this and quite saying it was all some else�s fault. Until we all realize we are part of the problem this mess will never get fixed.
Anonymous | 4:19 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Democrats have held control of congress by a slim margin for just less than two years out of 12 years. republican Sen. Gramm agreed to changing the Community Reinvestment Act to pass a Bill deregulating backs by a veto proof majority.

Today, Bush claims he tried to solve this problem in 2004 when republicans controlled congress and Rush was telling us about the Bush Mandate.

We have Utahans here blaming democrats.

Drill, drill drill, oil dropped below $80 without a new well. :-)

Obama has a 90.9% of being our next president.

Re: Americans are not stupid | 4:21 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Ummm... you just proved you are.
The Republican Platform | 4:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
"uphold the rule of law" . . . "completing the border fence quickly" . . . "enforcement at the workplace against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers" . . . "use the E-Verify system" "denial of federal funds for sanctuary cities" . . . "oppose amnesty"
"reject UN convention on women's rights . . . UN convention on the rights of the child . . . Law of the Sea Treaty"
"not accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over Americans"
"not lead to a North American union or a unified currency"
"ensure that China fulfills its WTO obligations, especially those related to protecting intellectual property rights, elimination of subsidies, and repeal of import restrictions."
"Judicial activism is a grave threat to the rule of law because unaccountable federal judges are usurping democracy, ignoring the Constitution . . . This must stop."
"condemn the Supreme Court's disregard of homeowners' property rights in its Kelo decision"
"insist on the appointment of constitutionalist judges, men and women who will not distort our founding documents to deny the people's right to self-government . . . or inject foreign law into American jurisprudence"

Any more questions Murry Dad?
the buck stops where? | 5:02 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
HOW REASURING our pres is to everyone...anyone who belongs to that secretive "skull and bones society" at yale is setting the so called new world order n this is part of the plan...there's a bankruptcy behind every bush!
Think people! | 5:05 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
You lefty posters keep insisting on blaming the stock market downturn on Bush. Some things to think about...

-Why are people getting out of the stock market now?

Of course the main reason is because it's way down (which is the dumbest reason in the world).

Could another reason be that some people who invest in the stock market are not stupid? Many stock market investors are investing for retirment. Many of these people suspect someday they may make over $250K. They know Obama is going to take over soon and has promised to raise taxes for any family who makes more than $450K (to pay for the social programs he's promised). Most people know their IRA will be taxed at the tax rate when they withdraw it. They may have contributed all their life (including when they were in a very low tax bracket) but if they ever break the $250K barrier they are screwed!

So even if there is a 20% penalty for taking it out now, the penalty for waiting till retirement (and the promised increased Obama tax burden) could be even greater!!!

Why not take it ALL out NOW (especially if you're already retired)?
DMH | 5:08 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Both parties have caused this problem by deregulating everything. All of the regulations that have been in place for years on banking, Wall Street, "big oil", and utilities have all been thrown out the window and the average American is paying these companies in spades for their services. This is where the real problem is and it is what caused the Great Depression in the first place. Regulations need to be put back in place in order to turn this thing around, but these industries don't want that to happen. In the meantime they make all the money and the rest of us are just scraping by to make ends meet. This has got to stop now, or these jokers will destroy this country with their greed. They have already proven that this is their agenda. Congress needs to get some guts and put an end to this.
Bailout Reality | 5:29 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I thought the bailout was supposed to bring stability to our economy. Let's analyze what really happened and what is going to probably happen.

Right now America is in a state of constant overreation. A bad bailout bill was proposed. It was voted down (wisely) but the stock market dropped 700 points. But instead of riding things out the need to react or do something gripped our country. McCain rides in for the rescue and both he and Obama vote yes on the new but even worse bailout bill.

Of course, those who trade in stocks know that the bailout bill is and will be a joke. It has brought no comfort to stability to the stock market. The world economic leaders know the same. Now the taxpayers are saddled with a 700 Billion albatross that will not fix the economy one bit, but in reality hurt the economy by excusing the irresponsibility of those on wallstreet and yes, the individual citizen in many cases.

Perhaps a better bill could have been drafted over time with a proper amount of debate, discussion and deliberation. Instead, the need to do "something" took over and now look what we got.
Bush at fault? | 5:33 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
9/11 cost American tax payers about 2 trillion dollars. Plus the loss of 3 million jobs.
Katrina cost about 1 trillion dollars and still counting. Also loss of many jobs.
Rumsfield and his "We will fight with the Army we have!" Another trillion dollars.
All the other storms, not to mention the fires in California.
Yeah,
I guess you need to blame someone, Its
All Bushs fault?
I know Obama/Bambi will save us.
don't be so quick to buy | 5:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I understand the credit /liquidity issues are weighing down the markets but I think what a lot of people are missing is that we are about to have a Democrat House, Senate and Presidency and the markets don't like it. I don't like to imagine a bunch of anti-oil, anti-nuclear, anti-coal, anti-prosperity Dems running the Country. Theoretically it is a great time to buy but not if the Country is going to be completely busted out by the Dems. Did you see how fast these financial firms fell? Don't think the same can't happen with our Federal Government. ALl it takes is one Country like South Korea e.g. to say they aren't buying anymore US debt. Interest rates will rocket and the economy will flatline
Bushs Fault? | 5:47 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Sorry,
I forgot about the Mid-East World trade oil agreement Bill Clinton signed into law- 1995- Oil producing countries-
Another 3 trillion dollars.
And they drained the life economy blood out of America.
Democrats and Republicans could do nothing after the World Trade debacle was let out of the bag.
But Bill was a Democrat, and making CHANGE for America.
Liberman mentioned in his speech at the RNC that McCain had reached across party lines to help with the World Trade Debacle. But it is still Bush's fault? Could we at least blame Obama for not being Old enough to stop all this?
BUY | 5:53 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
GM stock for less than 5 dollars,
My 1000 dollar savings is buying 200 shares.
Re: Americans are not stupid | 5:57 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I don't disagree that Bush and team share some of the blame.

But you can't ignore the fact that the Democrats have held the majority in congress the past 2 years and have chaired the finance and banking committees. Dodd and Frank received more campaign contributions from Freddie and Fannie than any other politicians.

Since four of the Keating 5 were Democrats, it is dangerous to attempt to pin this on one party.
John | 6:17 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
This political debate is beyond ridiculous. All I have to say is this: the real culprit here is greed. And who were the greedy? How about the AIG and Leham CEOs, that made close to $500M before their companies collapsed. Wanna guess what party these tycoons belong to? Republican.

At least the Dems, for all their faults, were only trying to help poor people have a house through subprime loans. That's admirable. How can anyone compete when there are people out there making $500M a year?

The root problem is greed. And which party is greedier? The capitalists. All my life, as a Mormon, I've been taught capitalism is the only way. Forget that. I'd rather pay more taxes and be a socialist, a dirty word in most Utah sunday schools, than a greedy capitalist.
sucker bet | 6:24 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
@ 5:53 BUY - don't do it. There is a very real possibility that Ford and Gm will go bankrupt. They may turn it around but they're going to be bucking a heckuva headwind the next year. Give me one good reason to buy GM - and 5.00 share price is not a good reason
Famous last words: it can't go any lower- lots of people thought that about Wachovia
McCain wants out. | 6:33 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
LAKEVILLE, Minn.-- Republican rage against Barack Obama claimed a new victim today: John McCain.

McCain was booed at a town-hall meeting here when he rebuked a man who said he was "scared�to bring a child up" under an Obama presidency. "I have to tell you he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States," McCain said to audible disapproval.

The man was one of nine who appealed to McCain to confront Obama more forcefully, several of them raising specific controversies dominating news, including Obama�s relationships with Bill Ayers and the group ACORN. McCain seized the microphone from the hands of a woman who called Obama "an Arab," and scolded her.

"He's a decent family man that I happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues," McCain said, to scant approval. In fact, the most rousing applause of the afternoon was saved not for McCain, but for a man who begged him to "fight" in next week�s debate.
To John | 7:25 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
If you want to be a Socialist, go for it! Count me out. I've been asking this for over 20 years and have never had anyone answer it - name one time when Socialism worked. Ever. Just one. Please.
Fanny mae | 7:31 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
A bit of history is required to understand why we are in this mess! During the Carter administration, there was a law passed called the "fair housing act." It forced banks and lending insitutions not to "discriminate" when making loans for houses. Banks and lending institutions were mandated to loan money whether or not the applicant had a job or could pay off their loans. Some in the banking business called them NINJA loans (no job, no income, no assets). Well, guess what happened? Defaulted loans galore! Surprised? Once again we see the government has messed up the economy and the democrats try to run like scared rats because they are the ones who blessed us with this mess! Who do you think will have to pay? You and I will, same as always! For those of you who believe the government can fix your life, when will you learn?
Can't wait for Obama | 7:47 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Once we get Obama in, we can blame HIM for everything!

When we still aren't making enough money because we're lazy and incompetent, blame Obama.

When we can't live like the Joneses, let's not worry that the Joneses are either heavily in debt, have a better job, or work harder - instead blame Obama.

When the thieves in head scarves at OPEC jerk us around on oil production and prices rise, blame Obama.

When your truck gets repo'd for not making payments, blame Obama.

When the stock market crashes, blame Obama.

When a plane crashes, blame Obama.

Blame Obama for everything! After all, after 8 years of Bush, we're entitled to it!

There is no stupidity, greed, laziness, incompetence or just plain bad luck. It's all Obama's fault!!!

Boy, I can't wait to hear how you liberals try to explain everything that goes wrong after January 20!
Hey, John | 9:47 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
If you like socialism so much, why don't you move to Cuba? Or China? Or North Korea.

Hey, come to think of it, why DON'T those countries allow contact with the outside world? Maybe because their citizens would see how much better freedom and capitalism are than socialism and communism? Hmmmm?
Another commentator | 10:37 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Socialism and Communism are not the same thing. I should know -- I'm living in mainland China right now. If you want to live in a Communist country, go for Cuba, North Korea, China, etc. If you want to live in a Socialist country, go to Sweden.

I won't even comment on how the standard of living in Sweden compares to America's standard of living. No contest.
Lloyd Lee | 6:36 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008
I just heard AMA says gasoline down to $2.99/gal. All that offshore drilling payed off!!! If they had drilled a pint, McCain and Palin would be claiming "drill now" worked.

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