Ping Swingman or Bldg contractors-remod specialists.

[J. Clarke]

Uh, why won't the government be able to pay the interest--did they issue variable-rate bonds?

[krw]

It's almost all in short-term bonds. Clinton started the conversion from 20 and 30-year bonds to hide the cost of his debt. Not wanting to be caught with the potato, everyone after did the same.

[woodchucker]

Actually with the dollar's value ever lowering, it's probably better to spend it now.

And if you believe that things will crash again shortly, better to spend it now, while it is worth something.

Glass half empty.

[krw]

If you believe it's all going to crash that hard, invest in food and ammunition. *Nothing* else will matter.

[Puckdropper]

woodchucker wrote in news: [e-mail]:

You've got a good point. Just saving your money costs 2-3% a year in inflation, unless you invest it somewhere to match or exceed that. Trouble is, it's hard to do that if you don't already have a bunch of it.

There's also saving disguised as spending. Consider this: A top quality tool will last decades and you get to enjoy all the benefits of the top quality tool: better quality cords, reduced noise, etc. A junk tool will last 2-3 years and you'll either replace it out of annoyance or it will break.

Puckdropper

[J. Clarke]

(1) The maturity term of government debt has been increaing for a while and is well above historical averages. (2) How does issuing short term bonds "hide the cost"?

[J. Clarke]

If you don't have a defensible position the food and ammunition won't do you a damned bit of good.

A typical wood-frame suburban residence is not a "defensible position".

[woodchucker]

Agreed. But that will only last so long. And I don't have a fort.

[Leon]

Theoretically if the government could pay the interest rates they could pay down the debt.

But the government will be able to pay the interest, it will print more money and the value of the dollar will drop so that every one pays.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Why would the market crash? After all, we have an important election and we'll have a new President!

[woodchucker]

Need I say more. 2 useless A holes. An egotistical maniac , and a super bitch on wheels, who has rubbed out anyone who has dirt on her. She belongs in prison. 14,900 new emails, that her lawyers want to wait until Oct 14th to start releasing. Seems a little suspicious to me.

What we need is a strong personality that will do no further harm to this country. Someone who'll think before they speak. Someone that is out for themselves..

Never going to happen.

[Ed Pawlowski]

I'm thinking of cashing out my 401k and hiding it under the mattress. At least it may have the buying power of 10 cents on the dollar as opposed to what the market may be like.

[krw]

Lower interest rates.

[krw]

A tax on savings. What a great idea.

[krw]

They won't do you any good if you don't have them, either.

[krw]

Then buy gold, or better yet, silver (easier to protect). If things go South, it'll increase in value. If not, you won't have zero.