That’s what the Japanese thought in 1989, and they’ve had more than two “lost decades” since.

And as I indicated in my article, America’s massive debt problems, combined with the retirement of the baby boomers, has brought stagnation to America’s economy. There hasn’t been any real growth here for 13 years — and counting.

As to my “bashing the stock market,” the market primarily is influenced by the government, which devours 40 percent of the economy. Only when government frees the economy will the market grow again.

At this point, the only thing that could produce the robust growth Truthsquad expects would be to sharply cut government, especially the pension overload and the union contracts, cut taxes like Reagan did to stimuluate growth, and stabilize the currency with the gold standard.

But none of that is going to happen. It will, eventually, after the banks stop loaning to the U.S. and state and local governments. Then they’ll have to make sharp cuts. But that probably won’t happen for about 5-10 years.

So it’s Stagnation Nation for a long time.

— John Seiler

As for putting my money where my mouth is, it’s in the stock market — the foundation of capitalism in the United States. And like most Americans (and defined benefit pensin administrators), I believe the market (and our economy) will continue to grow. Always has, always will. It’s unfortunate that the naysaying from the ultra-right now has even lost faith in the private sector as well as tphe public sector.

They should ALL have bee FORCED to go BK. All of them, TARP was a friggen scam.

Same with the public employee pensions-F’ the tax hikes, let then go BK. These gov employees already make 2-20 times more than they would at market rates, with bullet proof job security, and WE get stuck paying their multi million dollar pensions??? Sorry, let them go BK.

Hey, that’s a plan. Reward criminals because if you don’t they’ll blow up the economy!!!

As a matter of fact – let’s take it a step further…..let the banksters gamble with huge wagers – if they win let them keep the winnings – if they lose force the common man to bail them out and save them.

And keep paying them those gigantic bonuses because we need to fill Wall Street up with the best and the brightest!!!

Nice plan. Stay in lockstep! 😀

Lets grow up….banks are trillions in hole…slow reflate of cash flow and net worth…bad loans worked out or there will be net worth available to charge off bad loans.

Some on this site think this financial misery thwarts their lot in life….hardly….pity parties are ruining your attitude and life possibilties…

Grow up.