Oscar Ameringer on politics

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.

~ Oscar Ameringer, "the Mark Twain of socialism," (1870-1943)

Ryan Detrick (Schaefer's): More reasons to be bullish than bearish

There are definitely concerns out there, and we can't simply ignore them. A slowdown in China or more issues in Europe could put a major stop to the bull market, but overall, we continue to feel there are still more reasons to be bullish than bearish for longer-term investors. In the near term, some continuation of the recently choppy price action could occur -- but eventually, that will give way to higher prices, as the dour outlooks on the economy and stock market will once again be proven too gloomy.

~ Ryan Detrick, Schaefer's Investment Research, "Monday Morning Outlook," April 13, 2012

Thomas Jefferson on the tyranny of taxes

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
1902-1903

UK Chancellor Osborne on safety of sovereign debt

While other countries struggle to command confidence in their fiscal forecasts we have created an internationally admired and respected independent office for budget responsibility. These bold steps have made Britain that safe haven in the sovereign debt storm.

~George Osborne, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, August 11, 2011

Sigmund Freud on the age of illusion

Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces.

~Sigmund Freud

Ken Langone on stock market correction: So what?

[Tuesday's 200 point stock market drop is] a correction. It’s healthy. It’s no big thing. So what?

[I'd] buy the banks [because they've] cleaned their act up [and have low valuations.]  JPMorgan Chase [JPM  39.32    -1.08  (-2.67%)   ] has a balance sheet that's like a battleship.aid. Wells Fargo [WFC  30.105    -0.865  (-2.79%)   ] , the same thing. Bank of America [BAC  7.71    -0.26  (-3.26%)   ] is getting better, Citi's [C  32.12    -1.56  (-4.63%)   ] getting better.

~ Ken Langone, as appeared on CNBC

David Stockman on the Federal Reserve

The Fed is a patsy. It is a pathetic dependent of the big Wall Street banks, traders, and hedge funds. Everything it does is designed to keep this rickety structure from unwinding.

- David Stockman, Former Budget Director, Reagan Administration, March 4, 2012