Dealing With The Devil
Like everyone else I've received dozens of political mailings for the November election. Today was a little different though, because in this mailing (cover to the right) I was made mention as a "special interest" and given a very devilish manicure. I suppose I am pictured shaking Stephen Whitburn's hand.

The inside of the flyer lists 32 donors as "special interests" with their last names blacked out. I have no idea why I made the list. I guess because I am an investment analyst and I gave $540 to Stephen's campaign. I certainly am not a special interest, and I am offended that no one contacted me to ask what favors I am expecting from Stephen.

You know if I were the devil, I'd be insulted if someone made a deal with me for $540. Come on! No self respecting American soul would cave for less than $1 million net.

Which reminds me -
"Not incorrectly they had advised me to use the long spoon if I went to dine with the devil. Unfortunately on those rare occasions the only one available was short."
Eugenio Montale

2009 Skinny Cow Year

A woman I know sold her business last year that she had run for over 20 years. When asked if it was successful she said, "Well, there were some fat cow years and some skinny cow years."

2009 looks like it will be a skinny cow year because of the banking crisis. The good news is that for most americans this means driving a Ford Escort instead of a BMW. Having basic cable not HBO. Prepaid cell phones instead of unlimited minutes.

I'm not callous towards those who are suffering from this turmoil. I'm just trying to put this into perspective so I don't go crazy. Day after day the market goes down and the media has cited the Great Depression so many times that even I am getting scared. I'm pretty sure that during the Great Depression most americans were saving string and tin foil and probably had three sets of clothes, two sets of everyday clothes and one set of Sunday best.

Jane Bryant Quinn said, "I wish you every increase, but if the gods frown there are worse things in life than stepping down."

America will be fine - the skinny cow will get fat again. In the mean time I'll cut back on media in my diet.