Comments on: Welcome to the Interregnum

By: jimcos42

jimcos42 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:01:27 +0000

Um, I think we’ve been here (interregnum) before:

early 1900′s– making the transition from an agrarian nation to an industrial nation (big oil, big steel, big railroads, big auto, the electrification of the economy).

1930′s’/40′s– making the transition from more or less unfettered mercantile capitalism to increasing government intervention in the economy, spearheaded by FDR.

1970′s– making the transition from an self-contained industrial nation to a globally integrated one, with a huge assist and push from the micro-chip.

2000′s– making the transition from global Godzilla to functional global partner.

In each case, the previously operative paradigm/model/strategy for progress was rendered inadequate. While a new one was being birthed, financial markets stumbled and thrashed about while trying to figure out what the next big deal would be.

In the current iteration, things will take shape within 10 years or so, by which time the SPX will be driving through 2,000 on its way toward 10,000. That’ll be the bull market for today’s grade schoolers.

By: Mike in Nola

Mike in Nola — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:20:18 +0000

Interesting. Don’t think I’ve seen that word since Asimov’s Foundation series, which may have been the only place I’ve ever seen it used. Never thought about the origin, but it fits the situation well.

By: billy

billy — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:57:19 +0000

All those who still want to believe that John McCain is some kind of hero need to read this:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

By: Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:28:34 +0000

I’m sure it’ll only get better…

(Folks locking in a ton of tax losses for Kwanzaa :/)

By: mhm

mhm — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:19:30 +0000

How soon? Why wait, just look at the closing numbers… (I’m kidding, please)

By: DL

DL — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:14:14 +0000

How soon before we can start blaming Obama for everything that goes wrong?

By: Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:56:00 +0000

“The only things known to go faster than ordinary light is monarchy, according to the philosopher Ly Tin Weedle. He reasoned like this: you can’t have more than one king, and tradition demands that there is no gap between kings, so when a king dies the succession must therefore pass to the heir instantaneously. Presumably, he said, there must be some elementary particles — kingons, or possibly queons — that do this job, but of course succession sometimes fails if, in mid-flight, they strike an anti-particle, or republicon. His ambitious plans to use his discovery to send messages, involving the careful torturing of a small king in order to modulate the signal, were never fully expanded because, at that point, the bar closed.”

- Terry Pratchett, Mort

By: albnyc

albnyc — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:40:10 +0000

May we leave behind the generation of catering to our baser instincts — both left and right — and bring about the real change we so need in this country. We will all be richer if that is the outcome of this election.

By: Clay

Clay — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:19:55 +0000

I have thought on numerous occasions that our currently exiting leader conducted himself in a manner similar to a monarch, thumbing his nose at the Constitution (subversion) numerous times, seemingly doing what he wanted or whatever he could get away with at times and refusing to be held accountable for much if anything. Although his intentions may have been good, using Machiavellian principles (the end justifies the means) at times to accomplish them was despicable IMHO. He has done some good things however, and appears to have attempted to make amends over the past year or so for some of his actions or lack thereof.

Hopefully, our so-called interregnum will not be dysfunctional and our new leader will be very principled, which will be a direct reflection of his character and integrity in applying loving principles.
(Honesty, open-mindedness (to new ideas and to learn), gratitude, humility, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, creativity, service, willingness to do the right thing, courage, discipline, charity, good judgment, etc., etc.)

A personal definition of integrity: “The ability to integrate our goals, aims, promises, intentions, etc, into action.” Easier said than done.

By: AGG

AGG — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:54:57 +0000

So let us mark the TwainRegnum.
Now to all you optimistic souls like Mike in Nola who think all the negative stuff is priced in:
Be brave.
Remember, Paulson is a reptilian.