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POSTED: Monday, October 13, 2008

Selling stocks now makes you sure loser

I'm no financial expert, but it occurs to me that there is little point in getting too excited about the stock market's dramatic downturn. It makes for gripping headlines, but there's not much you can do about it. And your retirement account may have “;tanked”; for now but you probably weren't going to spend it all today or even next week.

The markets will predictably go up again, hopefully before you need too much of your devalued account balance. Selling now at a low point is guaranteed to lock in your losses for the long term and will aggravate an already bad situation.

If you do get out now it is highly unlikely that you will get back into the market before it has risen again, perhaps sharply, guaranteeing that you won't benefit fully from a recovery.

Tax credit might spur new investment

Here's a fix that might work. Congress passes a law imposing a temporary tax on all short stock sales to slow the falling market. And as an incentive to get investors back in the market, Congress passes a law providing tax credits for investors who buy stocks. These new laws shouldn't include commodities like coffee, grain, cattle, etc., or the currency market that hasn't reflected the severe crash, as have the stocks.

If done properly, the short sales taxes would be used to provide the tax credits for buyers and taxpayers who picked up the $700 billion bailout and will not have to pay any more. Let's run this by Warren Buffet.

This plan can't be any worse than the scams run by the deceptive, greedy, profit-off-the-middle-class group that has been ruining America for the last eight years. If nothing else, before you vote in November, remember that John McCain has promoted deregulation polices for decades that have brought our country to its financial knees!

Palin's character is in question

In Friday's paper you published Sen. Fred Hemmings' letter criticizing Cynthia Oi's insightful column (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 8) on Sarah Palin. In it, he said that, “;Palin is a woman of great character.”; That very evening, an Alaska state Senate committee of 10 Republicans and four Democrats unanimously released a report stating that she had abused the authority of her office. Some great character!

Hemmings also restated the Sean Hannity-Rush Limbaugh frantic talking points attacking Barack Obama.

No matter how hard Hemmings tries to prevent it, come next January, the United States and the world will see something it desperately needs, the aloha spirit in the White House. And I could not be more proud and pleased.

Hemmings' outrage changes no minds

Republican State Sen. Fred Hemmings should know that unfounded vitriol aimed at one of Honolulu's finest columnists, Cynthia Oi, changes no one's political stance who has been alive, breathing and reading for the past 18 months (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 10).

It does him no honor to recite the Republican Rovian script to divert attention from the plain facts as they are appearing about Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's choice for vice president of the United States. That script is itself either wholly untrue or misleading. Its mindless repetition merely builds support for Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Give it up, Fred.

Obama will lead us out of bloody mindset

A lot of us still remember the social unrest and pain that the unjust Vietnam War caused our country. It was a war that could have been avoided. I felt shame and embarrassment upon my return from Vietnam. When I saw how President Bush and Vice President Cheney wrongfully attacked Iraq to avenge Bush 41, I knew that it was wrong.

Sen. Barack Obama has been consistently against the war in Iraq. Sen. John McCain is still plugged into that sick military mindset that has created so much pain, anger, loss of life and shame.

It is obvious that McCain still doesn't understand the incredible damage that has done by deregulation and greed. His involvement with the Keating Five should have taught him a lesson, but didn't. Picking Sarah Palin only exacerbates the pathetic and desperate attempt to trick people into voting for him.

I have recently heard leaders from around the world saying that if we can get Obama elected, then we will once again have the support of the world community. As a Vietnam veteran, I fully support the sanity and morally right leadership of Obama along with Joe Biden's great experience.

Voting is your right - and your duty!

Vote, vote, vote! Our democratic country is a result of everyday citizens like you and me running for a political office and/or voting for the candidate of your choice.

Your military services have gallantly and bravely fought and served all around the world toward the preservation of the freedoms that we all enjoy today. And they will continue serving often long and arduous hours so that you can pick your candidate.

The general election will be held on Nov. 4. So get out there and vote, vote, vote! It's your duty! Spread the word!

Mudslinging reflects on the thrower

Too much mudslinging might boomerang back to the slinger. It might also miss the mark of the intended slingee; then the one throwing the mud will have only muddy hands and muddy self-esteem!

Having a white beard is a saving grace

The world has changed since the last time I donned a beard. Jimmy Carter was president, disco was the dance and in California clothing optional beaches were the norm.

Now George “;W”; is president the dance is survival and clothing optional only exists since the economy is so bad, people cannot afford clothes or anything else ...

...Present day, the groceries stores and fast-food restaurants are all starting to give me a thing called a senior discount without even asking for it, all this because I decided to not shave and my beard is now white.

For anyone capable of growing a white beard, it is a sure way to budget in these rough economic times.

Three cheers for a touch of gray.