The year was 1999 and the DOW had just crossed 10000! The good times were rolling...DOW 10,000. It was right about this time, when the utopian economics took over, with everyone super giddy about how bright the future was, as the Euro rolled out. 11 years have passed, the DOW is exactly where it was (actually a lot lower if adjusted for inflation), and the Euro is in serious risk of falling apart. Everything is temporary, specially the belief that if you invest for the long term you always win. So far, if you started investing in 1999, you would have faired pretty poorly, no one is sure of the future, but 11 years is a significant amount of time to invest for, and have nothing to show for it. Im just saying...

Unemployment is the main issue that is hurting the US economy currently (or so we are told). Many believe that its a lagging indicator, while I'm in the school of thought that thinks this time, its the leading indicator. Mainly because it will fuel the housing market (read; foreclosures). We have discussed Unemployment benefits in the past (Unemployment ), and what Economic Policy Journal had to share with us is truly shocking, claiming that 32 States Have Borrowed from the Federal Government to Make Unemployment Payments; California Has Borrowed $7 Billion!

Namely;