UP Ibalon Bicol: Mr. Fix & the tall challenge to keep USA & the world to believe that we can quickly come out of the financial mess

Mr. Fix & the tall challenge to keep USA & the world to believe that we can quickly come out of the financial mess

11/22/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

It is said that when a new president gets elected in the United States, Wall Street gets exuberant and the market becomes cocky. Renewed confidence and optimism bring an upward trend in stocks trading in America and the rest of the world. The upward trend hasn’t happened in President-elect Barack Obama, the Mr. Fix expected by many to deliver the world from this troubling economic mess.

Since the Great Depression (1930’s to the 1940’s,) America suffers from the worst financial downturn. On Friday, November 21, 2008, on midday trading, the Dow Jones Industrials (DJI) tumbled 67.47 points further, or 0.89 percent, to 7,484.82. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (.SPX) lost 8.85 points, or 1.18 percent, to 743.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) was down 17.82 points, or 1.35 percent, at 1,298.30.

In spite of the $700 billion bailout, the market continues to slide. With the public confused of what is going on, economic planners need more money for bailouts to keep the economy on track and stable.

There are those who seriously doubt whether this will work as instability and business losses continue. Financial leaders like Ben Shalom Bernanke of the Federal Reserve and Henry Paulson of the Treasury have a short window period to work on before the full blown effects of the crisis appear early next year.

Joblessness at 6.5%, the highest since 1994, is expected to top 8.5% in 2009. It feeds the fire of uncertainty, raising doubts on the usefulness of helping the floundering US auto and banking industry.

More business close-downs are feared. The housing market has almost screeched into a halt leaving many homes in foreclosures. American auto manufacturers brace for bankrupcies. The public is spooked by advisories of store closings. Americans are angered and worried.

The usual honeymoon period given to an incoming administration may not last long as the impatient public can’t wait for the magical fruition of Obama’s promise during the campaign. A scramble to form a government cabinet to help the new president shows signs of old hands from the Clinton administration which make people to ask if it’s the same traditional politics that will be at play. Without guarantee of success, there is palpable anxiety over leaders with checkered past trying to reprogram the nation’s socio-economic direction.

Obama is in a bind. There is a growing belief that the recession will last longer than what has been experienced in recent history. Some are thinking that it can grow worse to precipitate the hapless conditions of the Great Depression. Though not much can be done by individual US citizens to prevent the worse, sensible measures like focusing on one’s job, belt-tightening in personal finance, and deciding wisely on investment strategies are recommended.

Global economies are suffering. The American sniffle has worsened and spread into a global pneumonia whose end result is basically unknown. A protracted economic malady is likely to bring instability and stagnation. It makes civil unrest and chaos more likely particularly in the poor countries where hunger is common.

Meanwhile, the public overwhelmingly craves that Obama comes victorious in reversing the ugly course of business. How best he can do it is subject to debate and entails vigilant waiting. While he prepares for his inauguration in January, Americans gripped with worry need to give him time and the benefit of the doubt. (Photo Credits: JSDart)=0=

RELATED BLOG: "Dr. Doom’s economic crystal ball & the need to say the truth" Posted by mesiamd at 10/30/2008

Labels: Barack Obama, Ben Shalom Bernanke, business, economy, financial, Great Depression, Henry Paulson, jobs, money, recession, Totie Mesia, USA, Wall Street

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Mr. Fix & the tall challenge to keep USA & the world to believe that we can quickly come out of the financial mess

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