Dow turns positive for year: Erases 2,000-point plunge

[Orrex]

12. Good points, all

If I'd contest one point, I'd offer that "serious stock market crashes," the ones with major lasting impact, seem to happen every decade or so, while corporate whims destroy jobs every chance the get. On a smaller scale, to be sure, but in practice the average victim of the economy has more experience getting screwed by their employer than by the NASDAQ.

As for your comments about six-figure paupers, I agree completely. Also, I hate to sound cold, but I have no sympathy for such people. Even a paltry annual income of $100K is more than most people in the country can even dream, so it's hard to weep when someone at that level suffers from over-spending or a lack of planning. (Not talking about natural disasters or medical emergencies, of course!)

And your last paragraph is spot-on. Our culture can imagine no problem that can't be solved by more consumer spending. It's a bizarre and toxic mindset that continues to cause a great deal of harm.