alt.politics.economics

>> The declines left factories, mines and utilities operating at
> percent of capacity last month, down from an operating rate of
> percent in September.

I honestly believe that recessions, depressions and economic events
happen independant
of manipulations or assistance by gov'ts. Cycles for recessions
seem to follow
7 year cycles as does realty. Sure, there are small deviations, but
markets in realty
and stocks feed off each other.
A bear market (which i beleive has already happened btw) in stocks
does good for realty
as the money pouring out of markets seeks real assets as safe harbour.
As for stocks being the best long term holding, wrong.
Most of us here have to admit that our basis for wealth came from
realty invests and
holdings. Stocks are, in general, capable of making bankers and
brokers rich
while stripping value from investors.
Now if realty is depressed at the same time that stocks enter bear
markets. . . what will
the boomers seek out as safety nets ?????
My best bet is gold and PM. This will be the second major ripping of
wealth from the
middle class in 7 years. . . given dot com and 9/11/01 as one event in
the market.