That's where I'm at...I don't trust the stock market...It doesn't take much to make it drop, it fluctuates simply on speculation...It's much harder to bring back up than it is to drop it...The market is also manipulated...

 

That's not really true depending on how you invest, especially the part in bold.  While I somewhat agree that the market is manipulated, it's not solely because of "speculators" but has more to do with The Fed and The Government.

 

the variation I can handle. the sudden drop and slow return is what bothers me..It would bother me more if a sudden unexpected drop hit after retirement 

 

The market doesn't "drop suddenly" or "unexpectedly" for the most part.  The last major drop occurred between October 2007 and March 2009, and there certainly were many warning signs and indicators.  It took from March 2009 until about March 2013 to recover back to previous highs and is higher today.

 

The key thing to remember is that you are investing over time.  If you had been investing in a 401k mutual fund between October 2007 and now you would be way ahead and way better off than if you just saved in a savings account.  Remember, even if the value falls, if you invest the same amount consistently over time you end up buying more shares at a lower price.  When the market does recover and increases you have more.  It's called Dollar Cost Averaging.  As of matter of fact, you would have probably recovered the same value as early as June 2011.

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There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

I have found myself aligned mainly with the Libertarian views more than other political parties, yet I find myself being compelled to vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming general election.

 

#1.) Hilary Clinton shouldn't be allowed to run for President because how can she gain a security clearance when she should be in a federal prison.

 

#2.) Our unfair Trade laws that both Bernie Sanders & Donald Trump have addressed during the campaign could fix our country's economy and restore the rust belt of America.

 

#3.) The illegal immigration migration over the last few decades has caused an increase in crime, the degradation of our society, and has destroyed our economy along with ruined the patriotism of hard working Americans & their descendants.  The fact that Native Americans receive less govt funding than illegal southern Americans (outside of U.S. that come here illegally) is very sad  & embarrassing.

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I have found myself aligned mainly with the Libertarian views more than other political parties, yet I find myself being compelled to vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming general election.

If everyone keeps voting for R & D every election that is what we'll be stuck with. If people feel led to they need to realize and vote for the next strongest party, and keep doing so to gain momentum in the public eye. There are more than just two parties and Washington needs to be put on notice.

---

During political season everything becomes so personalized.


I'm sure most people here understand that the President has very little to do with the economy. Congress is the driving force - but of course the president will get the credit or blame.


You better worry about your Mr or Ms Congressperson - whom most voters can't even name.

And frankly, this is the long con of our political system. One man is essentially the figurehead every election cycle, while hundreds of others with no term limit are bought and sold like prostitutes and maintain the status quo. It's insane.

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That's not really true depending on how you invest, especially the part in bold.  While I somewhat agree that the market is manipulated, it's not solely because of "speculators" but has more to do with The Fed and The Government.

 

 

The market doesn't "drop suddenly" or "unexpectedly" for the most part.  The last major drop occurred between October 2007 and March 2009, and there certainly were many warning signs and indicators.  It took from March 2009 until about March 2013 to recover back to previous highs and is higher today.

 

The key thing to remember is that you are investing over time.  If you had been investing in a 401k mutual fund between October 2007 and now you would be way ahead and way better off than if you just saved in a savings account.  Remember, even if the value falls, if you invest the same amount consistently over time you end up buying more shares at a lower price.  When the market does recover and increases you have more.  It's called Dollar Cost Averaging.  As of matter of fact, you would have probably recovered the same value as early as June 2011.

The market will fluctuate on speculation that the Fed is going raise/lower interest rates, that the price of oil will go up because of some political act, that health care costs will increase because of some new legislation etc...It certainly is affected by speculation

 

WHAT? Have you looked at the market lately? 

 

Of course I know that investing is over time and not instant wealth...however if you have noticed, the market isn't doing so well so far this year

---

Brief article about Gary Johnson.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/[BLEEP]...y-johnson/

 

"Who is Gary Johnson? Well, he served as the Republican governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He’s not a nut and he’s not manifestly dishonest, and that sets him apart from the field."

 

"Some of the young, left-wing Bernie Sanders supporters may be attracted by Johnson’s advocacy for legalized marijuana, military non-interventionism and pro-choice stance.  Republicans could be attracted by his credible experience as governor, his rational commitment to balancing the federal budget and his pro-Second Amendment views. Many middle-of-the-road voters might simply be reassured by his calm demeanor, mature presence and credibility. In a race between Shouting Hillary and Insulting Trump, his lucidity may offer a vivid contrast."

---

Brief article about Gary Johnson.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/[BLEEP]...y-johnson/

 

"Who is Gary Johnson? Well, he served as the Republican governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He’s not a nut and he’s not manifestly dishonest, and that sets him apart from the field."

 

"Some of the young, left-wing Bernie Sanders supporters may be attracted by Johnson’s advocacy for legalized marijuana, military non-interventionism and pro-choice stance.  Republicans could be attracted by his credible experience as governor, his rational commitment to balancing the federal budget and his pro-Second Amendment views. Many middle-of-the-road voters might simply be reassured by his calm demeanor, mature presence and credibility. In a race between Shouting Hillary and Insulting Trump, his lucidity may offer a vivid contrast."

 

I like this man. I personally co-sign a lot of what he stands for.

---

<i>Behold man's final mad disgrace.</i>

<i>He chops his nose to spite his face.</i>

 

-Etrigan the Demon

 

I like this man. I personally co-sign a lot of what he stands for.

 

But, since he's not one of the big two, most people will never even consider him.

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

But, since he's not one of the big two, most people will never even consider him.

 

Since the "big two" represent a [BLEEP] sandwich, I will personally consider him. 

---

Since the "big two" represent a [BAD WORD REMOVED] sandwich, I will personally consider him. 

 

"most"... :thumbsup:

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

But, since he's not one of the big two, most people will never even consider him.

 

I read this and Metallica's Sad But True immediately began playing in my head...

---

<i>Behold man's final mad disgrace.</i>

<i>He chops his nose to spite his face.</i>

 

-Etrigan the Demon

 

But, since he's not one of the big two, most people will never even consider him.

He's actually at 11% in a polling deal. I can't remember off the top of my head where I read that but you can Google it. That is higher than any party other than the big two. There have also been articles about the interest in the Libertarian party has jumped quite a bit over the past months.


I haven't been 'preaching' the party to folks unless they express disgust with their current choice, but I am trying to get the word out to folks I know that they are not stuck with Clinton and Trump as choices.

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I just do my employers match on the 401k, after that I'm buying land. As I'm able I buy a couple acres at a time land will never be worth zero that's my thought at least.

Get on that Tango train baby!

---

If everyone keeps voting for R & D every election that is what we'll be stuck with. If people feel led to they need to realize and vote for the next strongest party, and keep doing so to gain momentum in the public eye. There are more than just two parties and Washington needs to be put on notice.

 

I'm going to do it- vote for the strongest 3rd party.   I know they won't win, but if they get enough votes, there will possibly be some strong momentum for a 3rd party bid in 2020.   The Republican Party started up in 1854 and in 1860 Lincoln was the first Republican President.   So there's your precedent. 

 

I am not in favor of banning Muslims from the United States, I am not in favor of having a trade war with China, I am not in favor of giving free college education to everyone, I am not anti Wall Street, I am for gay rights, I don't want the US government to go heavily into debt defending our allies who can afford to defend themselves, I don't want to abolish the EPA or the IRS, I don't think raising the minimum wage to $15 is a good idea, and I don't think Obamacare is going to destroy the country.  

 

I think both political parties are supporting some very bad ideas this year.   The Republicans are probably worse then the Democrats, but the Democrats don't seem to have any concern about the biggest issue of all, which is the national debt.  But then again, neither does Donald Trump. 

 

It's like the whole country has taken LSD or something.   How in the world did the citizens of this country get to be so wacky?  

---

How in the world did the citizens of this country get to be so wacky?  

 

The federal government took over public education.

 

The Left took over the University.

 

Ta-daaaaaaaaaa!

 

The Aristocrats!

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

 

It's like the whole country has taken LSD or something.   How in the world did the citizens of this country get to be so wacky?

Maybe the whole country should take a hit of acid.

---

If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.
- Bob Marley


 

I'm going to do it- vote for the strongest 3rd party.   I know they won't win, but if they get enough votes, there will possibly be some strong momentum for a 3rd party bid in 2020.   The Republican Party started up in 1854 and in 1860 Lincoln was the first Republican President.   So there's your precedent. 

 

If more people could be brought around to this way of thinking I think 2020 could be very interesting. My husband and I had a 'debate' a few nights ago about why I will not vote for Trump and am willing to "throw my vote away." I told him I am not a Republican which he already knows and the whole voting for the lesser evil of the two major parties is not something I am okay with anymore. I will vote according to my conscience. As a neo-con he cannot even think about it that way. He doesn't agree with Trump at all but is not willing to vote Libertarian even though he does agree with many Libertarian ideals.


 

I am not in favor of banning Muslims from the United States, I am not in favor of having a trade war with China, I am not in favor of giving free college education to everyone, I am not anti Wall Street, I am for gay rights, I don't want the US government to go heavily into debt defending our allies who can afford to defend themselves, I don't want to abolish the EPA or the IRS, I don't think raising the minimum wage to $15 is a good idea, and I don't think Obamacare is going to destroy the country.  

 

I agree with everything you listed except the IRS/EPA thing and Obamacare. There are way too many government agencies and not enough oversight on any of them. I think most of the agencies need a BRAC makeover. Obamacare..... I don't even want to go into how wrong I think it is. Everything about it is wrong. For the sake of this discussion that's all I will say about it.


 

I think both political parties are supporting some very bad ideas this year.   The Republicans are probably worse then the Democrats, but the Democrats don't seem to have any concern about the biggest issue of all, which is the national debt.  But then again, neither does Donald Trump. 

 

It's like the whole country has taken LSD or something.   How in the world did the citizens of this country get to be so wacky?  

 

There are a lot of things to point to in regards to what has happened to this country and the media, government, politicians, special interest groups, activists, etc., play no small part. It's sad. 

---

 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Real Marty" data-cid="754055" data-time="1464001667">
<div>
I'm going to do it- vote for the strongest 3rd party.   I know they won't win, but if they get enough votes, there will possibly be some strong momentum for a 3rd party bid in 2020.   The Republican Party started up in 1854 and in 1860 Lincoln was the first Republican President.   So there's your precedent. 

 

If more people could be brought around to this way of thinking I think 2020 could be very interesting. My husband and I had a 'debate' a few nights ago about why I will not vote for Trump and am willing to "throw my vote away." I told him I am not a Republican which he already knows and the whole voting for the lesser evil of the two major parties is not something I am okay with anymore. I will vote according to my conscience. As a neo-con he cannot even think about it that way. He doesn't agree with Trump at all but is not willing to vote Libertarian even though he does agree with many Libertarian ideals.


 

I am not in favor of banning Muslims from the United States, I am not in favor of having a trade war with China, I am not in favor of giving free college education to everyone, I am not anti Wall Street, I am for gay rights, I don't want the US government to go heavily into debt defending our allies who can afford to defend themselves, I don't want to abolish the EPA or the IRS, I don't think raising the minimum wage to $15 is a good idea, and I don't think Obamacare is going to destroy the country.  

 

I agree with everything you listed except the IRS/EPA thing and Obamacare. There are way too many government agencies and not enough oversight on any of them. I think most of the agencies need a BRAC makeover. Obamacare..... I don't even want to go into how wrong I think it is. Everything about it is wrong. For the sake of this discussion that's all I will say about it.


 

I think both political parties are supporting some very bad ideas this year.   The Republicans are probably worse then the Democrats, but the Democrats don't seem to have any concern about the biggest issue of all, which is the national debt.  But then again, neither does Donald Trump. 

 

It's like the whole country has taken LSD or something.   How in the world did the citizens of this country get to be so wacky?  

 

There are a lot of things to point to in regards to what has happened to this country and the media, government, politicians, special interest groups, activists, etc., play no small part. It's sad. 

 

</div>
</blockquote>
 

Regarding the part in bold, that's pretty much what I am going to do.  I'll either just not show up, or I'll write a candidate in.  I cannot in good conscience vote for Trump, and I certainly will never cast a vote for Hillary or Sanders.

---

There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

Though I'm more comfortable with the strategy I mentioned, the potential benefit of writing yourself, a friend, pet, or fictional character is if enough people do this, the media might right stories on this. The hope then is it would get the attention of the major political parties that they have failed when given the opportunity to govern on the federal level. I'm convinced that the # 1 reason why Donald Trump is on the verge of clinching the Republican Nomination is the Republican ' Leadership' in Washington and a large number of elected representatives acted more like RINOs than Republicans.

Ahh the no true Irishman ducking responsibility approach. So classy.

---

Ahh the no true Irishman ducking responsibility approach. So classy.

I know some good rehab facilities if you want some help.

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato