Will Voter Affection for Occupy Turn to Love?

The latest Field Poll says 58 percent of California voters agree with the reasons behind the Occupy movement.

At the same time, Bloomberg News reports that banks grabbed trillions in government loans at below-market rates while telling investors they didn't need any help and then used the money to rake in $13 billion of income.

Bloomberg also reports Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson gave hedge funds and investment bankers inside information about government moves to deal with the financial crisis.

I wonder what the Field Poll results would look like if the study were to be conducted tomorrow.

Herman Gingrich and Newt Cain

Now let me get this straight. . . .

Herman Cain's GOP presidential campaign is off ther rails because of alleged sexual pecadilloes. At the same time, Newt Gingrich -- whose last two wives were his girlfriends while he was married -- rises in the polls.

On second thought I think that's too much to untwist.

Underwater Mortgage Relief

Does the market tell you your home is worth less than what you owe on your mortgage?  You might be underwater, but you’re not necessarily drowning. 

Try this calculation.

Divide your property taxes by 12 and add the result to your monthly mortgage payment. Then go to Craigslist or other sources and find rentals similar in size (living space only) and location to your home. 

I’m willing to bet you’re paying less right now simply for a place to live.

Groupon IPO Not Working Out? Duh.

Let's not go over the almost endless list of why Groupon has always had big problems. Let's just ask why the harsh litany of criticism didn't prevent investors from snapping up the company's IPO.

Perhaps the answer includes anticipated profits from flipping Groupon shares before the inevitable price crash. Maybe we didn't learn a thing from the big tech crash when companies with equally shaky balance sheets and funky business models were valued in the billions.

Or, by god, maybe we just love half-off bargains and assume that's good enough.