Most of the "loss" today was paper loss: Most people didn't put in the money they "lost" today:

[jazzjunkysue]

Most people put in a much smaller number, and watched the numbers on their monthly paper statement rise.

It's true that they may lose the principal investment, but, it was a risk they took voluntarily.

As an american, I don't want the treasury as part of that risk. I don't want social security in there, either. And I don't want to play lottery with everyone's health insurance, which is what McCain's "health insurance plan" does.

I guess I'm a tough love parent. If we're going to ride some bumpy roads, let's at least make sure they're real roads, not rides created by a ficticious legislature about a fictitious stock market.

The stock market is all smoke and mirrors, has always been, and I have never joined in, for these reasons.

If a really bad recession is the price for everyone growing up, then so be it.

[donco6]

1. Someone who calls the Stock Market

"all smoke and mirrors" really doesn't know what the fuck they're talking about.

Pardon my French.

[ddeclue]

6. Clearly they DO know from whence they speak and TODAY is the

real world proof of that knowledge. The markets are collapsing because they have long been a giant house of cards. At least in Atlantic City the rules are known to all, the industry is regulated and they don't lie about it being gambling...

Doug D.

[donco6]

13. You're on ignore due to blatant idiocy.

Sorry.

[ddeclue]

2. Amen!!! I said something similar earlier...

Got lots of K&R's and recommends and favorable comments.

Some were down right hostile though because I told the truth about their stock market pipe dreams for getting rich quick.

Doug D.

[knowbody0]

3. it's a paper empire

doomed to failure.

I also was raised by people who believed you only bought something when you had the money to do so.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

4. Thank you for contributing to the ignorance that got us into this mess...

...in the first place.

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. ...

[gravity]

5. Everyone will lose

Just because you don't have money in, doesn't mean you aren't affected. I hope your job is secure

[ddeclue]

12. Oh the extortionist theory... well I have an answer...

If they are too big to fail, let's break them up into little companies like FDR did in the 1930's and make them all compete against each other like they are supposed to do and be forced to hire workers to do so.

Mergers are one of the root causes of our hollow economy. Breaking them up is part of the solution.

Doug D.

[medeak]

7. obviously you don't own a business with 70 employees

like I do.

We have always felt responsible for the welfare of 70 families. I can walk away and be fine....but these people that have worked for us for 20 yrs won't. A line of credit is imperative to most companies.

[RedEarth]

9. It seems most investments are speculation

It just depends what a person invests in...gold, real estate, stocks, bonds.... If a person doesn't invest in something, it would seem inflation would catch up to them when they reach retirement age.

[mmonk]

10. I lost real money today, not paper.

[ret5hd]

14. gold? silver? platinum?

[mmonk]

15. Not exactly.

I know much of the currency market is "fiat" currency but I lost wealth that helps me pay for things and provide for my sons.

[Barack_America]

11. I don't think we're talking about a "really bad recession" here.

From all accounts, we're talking about this: