Saving the banks and selling bonds is what the Fed does. That is the unspoken dual mandate.

Conn's is a pretty easy money outfit. So people aren't biting on the loans?

If people used a gazillion bonds as collateral, and those bonds lose value, that shouldn't be main street's problem. I bet we may be surprised, as long bonds may hold up better than most people think.

Don't be scaring us with San Bernardino, Robert. I don't like that, especially since multiple witnesses said there were 3 shooters, likely white, male, tall and athletic. But you are right, the government cannot be trusted these days.

There is always a risk of world war when you mess with Russia's income stream. They are able to cope now, but the west has a plan to overproduce oil, and eventually switch to electronic cars, all in an effort to topple Russia. i think it is a dangerous idea, a bad idea. But it is what is planned. Tesla would not be subsidized by the US government if it were not perceived to be in the national interest. But really, is it in the national interest if we end up in mass destruction?

Subject to change in the fortunes of the rich. And that is likely not a whole lot of downside, although some houses you never thought would go down did in the Great Depression.

Wealth is even more skewed than income. That is why an occasional wealth tax should be implemented. It doesn't even have to be yearly. But it would help build up America.

Sorry, he said Mexicans coming across the border were rapists. I misspoke in the previous comment. That is a lie, from my experience of observing illegal aliens in the USA. Trump is a bigot regarding Muslims, and he has offended every race and women. He is what the Republicans deserve, however, as they push the envelope on Islamophobia and Trump is the result.

Author note: at this late date Trump has indeed exhibited fascistic tendencies and has not backed off, but now wants all Muslims banned from America. I tried to give him a fair shake, I really did. But he is a dangerous fellow. I should have known when he said that Mexicans coming across the borders are racist. I was foolish to try to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. He deserves the benefit that Hitler would get, which is no benefit of the doubt.

Yeah, but it looks fishy. The stability of Africa seems like a noble endeavor. But not in the eyes of the west.