This article is going is going to get a little more political than I generally care to go, but it will affect the market so it needs to be addressed. In times of turmoil, the ability of the government to implement sweeping changes becomes easier, as people are so eager to look for quick financial and political solutions. I understand that tighter regulation would have been- and will be- beneficial for the markets, but we need to be careful not to stifle the Industry. An early warning sign is the growing number of firms balking at the TALF and TARP moneys as they come to realize the growing number of strings attached. They just watched Rick Wagoner get shown the door for running a business unsuccessfully and not adhering to a budget (sound familiar, Congress??). They ask themselves, why him and not one of the many other CEO's whose firms contributed to the mess we are in? Wall Street Brass gets spared, but not Detroit? What if that changes? The one thing investors and traders hate more than bad news is uncertainty. We can deal with the bleak picture but it cannot be a moving picture. We need to establish a plan and stick with it so that firms can feel safe knowing they understand what the investing landscaping will look like. As it stands now folks are apprehensive in a number of ways. A better deal could be had shortly as the picture changes daily, or a worse deal could be coming so they don't want to get in. Traders will adjust and move forward; that's what we do. Just establish the plan and live with it. It doesn't and will not be perfect but what is?

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