tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post5519875940895603799..comments2023-09-15T08:07:28.542-06:00Comments on Western Hero: Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago?Silverfiddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-90188496873221293722012-10-04T15:44:00.494-06:002012-10-04T15:44:00.494-06:00It's the funny thing about leftwing presidents...It's the funny thing about leftwing presidents and prime ministers, they come into power promising prosperity and unicorns, when they're done fixing all that wasn't broken and trying to make reality bend to their fantasies, we the people are always left poorer, in debt or worse, stuck in a war of some sort.MathewKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14385674205383405783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-33037182333205616702012-10-03T18:01:31.527-06:002012-10-03T18:01:31.527-06:00@More positive proof that either people CANNOT rea...@More positive proof that either people CANNOT read with comprehension -- or simply do not BOTHER<br /><br />OH I don't know "The value of my portfolio, however, is down a mere TWENTY-PERCENT." and "Most investors I know have lost 40-60% of what they had prior to the Pre-Election Crash in 2008."<br />" seems pretty clear.<br /><br />My point is not to denigrate or defame you. I use my own portfolio as an example to illustrate that it is possible to make money in this market. My point, is at this stage in the game, unless your portfolio consists entirely of real estate, it should not be down anywhere near 20, 40, or 60%.<br /><br />The Dow's peak before the crash was 14164 and it closed today at 13494. Something all the liberal asshats that spew here ought to consider...<br /><br />If this President is for the middle class, the poor, the downtrodden... how come the market's recovered but the economy hasn't?<br /><br />What does that tell you about who he's looking out for?<br /><br />@JEZ: "Would you ever expect to be richer now than you were (or rather, appeared to be) at the end of a recent credit boom?"<br /><br />No, I wouldn't... which is why I state that an 8.25% return is not terribly bad, given the long term historical perspective for both the market and real estate is 7%.<br /><br />Seriously though, I've earned 14% in growth stocks alone between 2007 and today. Not spectacular, but not a loss either. If anyone is down 20/40/60%, they need to take a serious look at whomever is managing their portfolio.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finntannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234170229108668040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-1355082338282346022012-10-03T09:04:17.486-06:002012-10-03T09:04:17.486-06:00"... his policies have stifled honest efforts..."... his policies have stifled honest efforts at building real things and providing real services."<br /><br />I'm not at all sure precisely what those efforts are (where). <br /><br />Since the oligarchs, all too willing to accept the status qou and take goodies from the government(s) they control continue to run things from behind the curtain methinks FreeThinke is right.<br /><br />The more things change the more they stay the same... Les Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01120280762698472496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-51062190643245524262012-10-03T08:52:45.549-06:002012-10-03T08:52:45.549-06:00More positive proof that either people CANNOT read...More positive proof that either people CANNOT read with comprehension -- or simply do not BOTHER -- in their rabid lust to find excuses to exercise their penchant for incessant denigration and defamation. <br /><br />~ FTFreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-3229518035787415012012-10-03T05:23:58.601-06:002012-10-03T05:23:58.601-06:00In 2007, credit was distorting the market. You had...<i>In 2007, credit was distorting the market. You had a lot of wealth on paper, but that was an illusion. </i><br /><br />Indeed.<br /><br />I'm not saying Obama should have brought back the good (bad) old days of a false economy, but his policies have stifled honest efforts at building real things and providing real services. Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-86523291695587159432012-10-03T03:13:34.057-06:002012-10-03T03:13:34.057-06:00Would you ever expect to be richer now than you we...Would you ever expect to be richer now than you were (or rather, appeared to be) at the end of a recent credit boom?<br /><br />In 2007, credit was distorting the market. You had a lot of wealth on paper, but that was an illusion. In 2008, 2 decades' worth of chickens all came home to roost. No Cnut, Democrat or Republican, could turn that tide around in 4 years.jezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14865247084509280406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-56774254874977218262012-10-02T22:24:55.370-06:002012-10-02T22:24:55.370-06:00I don't know what market you're playing, b...I don't know what market you're playing, but your loss numbers (20-40-60)seem a bit unrealistic for a properly managed portfolio.<br /><br />My growth funds suffered a 52% loss from October 07 to Feb 09, but from that low in Feb 09 have gone up 129%. Overall, from October 07 - up a little over 14%. Might not be the greatest but it's better than a CD.<br /><br />But, coincidentally, I started moving money out of growth funds in Jan 08 when it was down 14%. By cutting my losses then I walked away with a 17% gain.<br /><br />What was the key signal (aside from the housing crisis) to start moving money around? The inauguration of our current president.<br /><br />Overall from Jan 08, up 33%.<br /><br />From a long term historical perspective an 8.25% annual rate of return is not terribly bad.<br /><br />In the eight years I've owned by home my property value has increased 48% (and yes, I've had it recently appraised) with no capital improvements. Put into perspective that is a 6% annual rate of return, which while slightly below the historic 7% rate also isn't terribly bad.<br /><br />Now my real estate performance (as all are) is locality driven, so I can't take credit for that.<br /><br />But if you're down 20/40/60%, I'd say find another broker.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Finntannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234170229108668040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-71249632542563419412012-10-02T21:13:01.424-06:002012-10-02T21:13:01.424-06:00Here's what I actually said, Canardo. Obviousl...Here's what I actually said, Canardo. Obviously you misread it when you carelessly scanned my comment in search of something to mock and misrepresent with malice aforethought:<br /><br /><i>"Not only are virtually all of us worth a great deal less than we were four years -- the potential price I might get for my home is down SIXTY-PERCENT from what it was in 2007-2008. <b>The value of my portfolio, however, is down a mere TWENTY-PERCENT. I'm one of the lucky ones. </b><br /><br />Most investors I know have lost 40-60% of what they had prior to the Pre-Election Crash in 2008."</i><br /><br />And of course I didn't tell you about the 65K I spent on major home improvements since the crash or the 85K I sank into an investment property last summer, did I?<br /><br />I'm doing extremely well considering what we're up against with a Marxist Maniac in the White House and an immoral, imbecilic electorate who'd sell their infant daughter's virginity to a dirty old man for the promise of a bigger gubmint handout -- or a bottle of rotgut.<br /><br />As for my being "mean" regarding Obastard, I only wish I had the power to be one helluva lot meaner. What he's doing to this country shouldn't happen to a rabid dog on the rampage.<br /><br />~ FTFreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-53402305793671505472012-10-02T21:01:18.001-06:002012-10-02T21:01:18.001-06:00n fact this is nothing new. Since the establishmen...n fact this is nothing new. Since the establishment of the Federal Reserve 99 years ago, the value of today's dollar is worth no more than FIVE PERCENT of what it was in 1913. In other words a DOLLAR today will buy you what a NICKEL would have then.<br /><br />--------<br />What has the increase in productivity been?Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-84334874940961047702012-10-02T20:27:47.786-06:002012-10-02T20:27:47.786-06:00@Freethinkr - Most investors have lost 40-60% of w...@Freethinkr - Most investors have lost 40-60% of what they had prior to The pre-election Crash in 2008.<br /><br />-------<br /><br />Who the bleep is managing your portfolio?Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-87439093082807987432012-10-02T20:26:54.118-06:002012-10-02T20:26:54.118-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-87724206917974626032012-10-02T18:59:13.483-06:002012-10-02T18:59:13.483-06:00Liberalmaniac does us a service by putting brainle...Liberalmaniac does us a service by putting brainless liberalism on display. His cut and past propaganda in service to his messiah is hilarious.<br /><br />Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-71781305065213350942012-10-02T18:09:22.169-06:002012-10-02T18:09:22.169-06:00Oops liberalmann.... you posted that identical ran...Oops liberalmann.... you posted that identical rant on here before. It was idiotic then and it is idiotic now. Must be confusing with all the cutting and pasting eh?<br /><br />Half of the crap you spew is unprovable fantasy "he prevented a depression", obviously, we didn't have a depression ergo he must have prevented it.<br /><br />Was that before or after he prevented the martian invasion?<br /><br />I could go on, but it's pointless.Finntannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234170229108668040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-30046905101923809992012-10-02T17:42:09.353-06:002012-10-02T17:42:09.353-06:00We're ALL better off:
Obama prevented a depre...We're ALL better off:<br /><br />Obama prevented a depression, saved Banks, saved the auto industry, created more jobs in his first two years than Bush did in eight years. Had the GOP not filibustered in record numbers all the jobs bills the Dems proposed, unemployment would be much lower. If the GOP hadn't laid off millions of jobs in the public sector (Police, Teachers, Fire Fighters) our unemployment rate would be lower. The GOP won the House on 2010 on the jobs issue yet they haven't proposed a single bill. <br /><br />Bush increased our debt by over $5 trillion with the items he kept off the budget and unpaid for; the two wars (one was illegal), Medicaid Part D, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Obama put them in the budget. That's how the GOP can now lie and say it's his fault!<br /><br />Obama Killed Osama, desecrated Al Queda, led a coalition that killed Khadaffi, reformed student loans, increased TAP/Pell grants for students, slowed immigration, put more money into border security than Bush and deported more illegals than Bush, signed the Lilly Ledbetter law granting equal pay for women, credit card reform, ended 'Don't Ask Don't Tell,' Provided many tax incentives and breaks for small businesses and DID NOT raise taxes on the middle class.<br /><br />But the biggest; passed Health Care Reform after over 100 of trying. Insurance companies can't drop you or deny you coverage and the CBO says it will save us billions over time. Do we really want to go back to a time where you have to hold a Spaghetti Dinner at the local VFV Lodge to pay for a family member's treatments so you don't have to sell your house?<br /><br />Liberalmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04612454539046863752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-60753862052261633352012-10-02T17:40:54.653-06:002012-10-02T17:40:54.653-06:00Freethinker arguments are so thin in his lunatic, ...Freethinker arguments are so thin in his lunatic, Beckian diatribes that even he knows he's spewing bullshit. <br /><br />So, he has to reach the lowest denominators of the wingnuts (aka. the dumbfucks)who will believe this kind of crap if there's a racist epithet thrown in there as red meat.Liberalmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04612454539046863752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-81932897081548241592012-10-02T16:48:34.532-06:002012-10-02T16:48:34.532-06:00Freethinker, Sambo?
That's just mean.Freethinker, Sambo?<br /><br />That's just mean.Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-81476504379039360102012-10-02T16:40:36.340-06:002012-10-02T16:40:36.340-06:00The medical device companies will simply move off ...The medical device companies will simply move off shore. Will anyone catch on? Companies do not have to remain here. Get it?Bunkervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427978686579892380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-67566577618801195142012-10-02T15:47:44.173-06:002012-10-02T15:47:44.173-06:00Silverfiddle ... of course "better off"...Silverfiddle ... of course "better off", is not the same as "doing great", and I'm still significantly short of the kind of business I was doing in 2006 and 2007.<br /><br />But I will also say that the 2008 crash or whatever you want to call it was the worst I've seen in my business field in 30 years. I'm in manufacturing automation and in the past our business has often actually picked up during declines as companies reduce their work force and then try to increase productivity of their remaining staff by adding automation. But 2008 was SEVERE, and we took a big hit right along with everyone else. ocnstiggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15270733369190456488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-34093439561511016822012-10-02T15:27:09.966-06:002012-10-02T15:27:09.966-06:00I can't pretend to have red every word of ever...I can't pretend to have red every word of everyone's remarks, but no one seems to have this:<br /><br />Not only are virtually all of us worth a great deal less than we were four years -- the potential price I might get for my home is down SIXTY-PERCENT from what it was in 2007-2008. The value of my portfolio is down a mere TWENTY-PERCENT. I'm one of the lucky ones. <br /><br />Most investors have lost 40-60% of what they had prior to The pre-election Crash in 2008. <br /><br />Talk about an October Surprise! ACH DU LIEBER!<br /><br />On the [supposedly] bright side: <b>Obama supporters may comfort themselves and maintain their high level of smugness because the DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE has just about DOUBLED since Sambo took office.</b> <br /><br />What most of us either don't know, honestly forget -- or conveniently <i>overlook</i> -- is that thanks to Quantitative Easing [Gubmintese for FLOODING the ECONOMY with government-generated <b><i>COUNTERFEIT</i></b> CURRENCY], <b>the dollars we DO still have are worth a great deal LESS than they were in 2008.</b><br /><br />The dollar has suffered a significant loss in PURCHASING POWER. <br /><br /><b>In fact this is nothing new. Since the establishment of the Federal Reserve 99 years ago, the value of today's dollar is worth no more than FIVE PERCENT of what it was in 1913. In other words a DOLLAR today will buy you what a NICKEL would have then.</b><br /><br />The Pennsylvania Dutch have a quaint expression that covers the situation nicely:<br /><br /><b>"The farther ahead we go, the behinder we get."</b><br /><br />This is what comes of permitting knaves, fools, thieves, charlatans and evil geniuses to control our lives.<br /><br />The political process functions on a FARCICAL level. All the sound and fury we hear on radio, television and toss around the blogosphere is nothing but an exercise in FUTILITY.<br /><br />I keep looking for a silver lining in one of the clouds that make up the lowering sky, but every time I check the sky looks blacker and blacker.<br /><br />No WONDER everyone is in such a nasty mood!<br /><br />~ FreeThinkeFreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-6700407743078385242012-10-02T15:14:29.916-06:002012-10-02T15:14:29.916-06:00"But, but! Bush was the one that really start..."But, but! Bush was the one that really started all that! Why don't you just give him a chance...no one could fix Bush's mess in only 4 years!"<br /><br />Hackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00939367013876552898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-61320685043157069212012-10-02T15:05:33.577-06:002012-10-02T15:05:33.577-06:00I don’t understand this notion among leftists that...I don’t understand this notion among leftists that everyone deserves smooth sailing, forever and ever, and if the seas get too choppy, then they deserve government coming up with a plan to save them from the tempest.<br /><br />Life is a risk. What should distinguish success from failure is not what government can do for and to us, but rather what we can do for ourselves. I am sick and tired of hearing how people maxed out their credit cards, and lost their jobs, and now can only afford an occasional tattoo …. <br /><br />I’d rather hear about how people started raising small gardens in the back yard, how they started canning vegetables again, and how they decided to make do with adequate transportation rather than spending a gazillion dollars on a foreign made BMW that the bank is getting ready to repossess.<br /><br />Ducky has reminded us on several occasions how pathetic we are as a people. He’s right about that. Maybe we don’t deserve more than leftist crumbs.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01230399044647334018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-67185988295115778642012-10-02T14:39:44.345-06:002012-10-02T14:39:44.345-06:00 ocnstiggs and CI: I am glad to hear some good st... ocnstiggs and CI: I am glad to hear some good stories out there!<br /><br />Unfortunately, you guys are in a small minority.Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-25514078055812439662012-10-02T13:01:07.983-06:002012-10-02T13:01:07.983-06:00I myself am better off. The bottom dropped out fo...I myself am better off. The bottom dropped out for my business in the summer of 2008 and we had 5 quarters of negative cash flow. Since then business has been slowly improving, and this year we're beginning to see improvement in some of our international markets which have been almost dead for the last few years. <br /><br />For my employees overall I would have to say they are slightly worse off. My account managers are doing better, but we haven't been able to give any raises and only two bonuses over the last 4 years to the salaried employees. They may have a little more money in their paycheck because of the SS tax reduction, but prices have also continued to go up slowly in the meantime. ocnstiggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15270733369190456488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-33221078555636944532012-10-02T12:30:45.989-06:002012-10-02T12:30:45.989-06:00@ Jersey: "Rather we should look at the bala...@ Jersey: <i>"Rather we should look at the balance of political powers in our nation and see the only intelligent choice is to keep Obama for another four years."</i><br /><br />HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!<br /><br />Oh. man... Thanks for stopping by, Jersey. I love your humor, man...<br /><br />And you have the temerity to call me <i>"silly, vacuous, out-of-context!"</i><br /><br />You're off in lala land, or should I say Obamessiah land, where the hopium smoke billows, the Obamaphones are free, and we can just keep spending money forever... Silverfiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541652236676260219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674333464171899932.post-49692910901839091272012-10-02T12:27:46.334-06:002012-10-02T12:27:46.334-06:00@JMJ I appreciate that. It sure would be nice to c...@JMJ I appreciate that. It sure would be nice to clean up the tax code so everyone is speaking a common language. KPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788103894599339102noreply@blogger.com