[jcommin]

John,

The gold story is a metaphor. Over the last 8 years I feel like I treaded water. I actually believe I worse off now than 8 years ago. I'm an older guy and the last 8 years are 8 less than I have to work with as I come close to retiring. I do believe in the time value of money - I don't have that time; I need to make the difference in money and right now things are very expensive; I have learned to live with less.

Going back to lessons learned from this crises, I have become more cynical, less trusting than before. I'm the only one who can take care of me. Government, politicians and greed have let me down - This goes back to the solution of eliminate the greed, eliminate the rich preying on the poor, the strong over the weak and you have got a chance. History tells us otherwise.

I will tell you I was very excited about this election early on. We have/had candidates that are intelligent; I liked the notion of change. I'm an underdog kind of guy. As the race progressed and found all flip/flopping on everything; I am disgusted. When this financial crises hit; everyone is at fault and we are searching for the guilty but we are all in on it.

Do we need some regulations; absolutely!! I don't know what that looks like. There is a balance here - but we need to let things settle down and not just react. Got to let the emotions subside.

Meanwhile. I'm not panicing; I haven't pulled my money out of the market; I actually did a smart thing. I pulled $20K out of the market last Oct/Nov and have been re investing about $1500/month since last Oct. Did I plan this?; no - I got lucky.

I appologize if I came off like a smart a$$ but I'm very sincere in my attitude at present. It doen't mean it is for you or anyone else. It's mine. I taking a more conservitive approach in investing and in living. I'll adjust to the fallout from this mess. I consider myself very lucky as I'm in better shape than most. I really feel for those who have got hurt in this.