"You know what the news is-- in a minute, you're going to hear the rest of the story"- Paul Harvey Today is election day! Big deal. The "little people" in the U.S. scurry around like a bunch of emotionally charged ants, and don't realize that the outcome has been predetermined. Regardless who wins, you can take confidence in knowing that both candidates are owned by the same people. Some say they belong to the bankers, corporations, and the wealthy. I would say all of these, to a certain extent, are accurate. Remember, "Nothing Changes but the Names and the Faces". The Stock Market Yesterday's trading was quiet as the major market averages were little changed on light volume. Oil prices jumped $7 per barrel this morning as the "election year magic" is winding down, and investors suddenly became more optimistic about economic growth. Here's some more magic for you, the dollar dropped against the euro causing commodity prices to rise. You need to discount all earnings and economic reports for October, and most of September. We all know there was very little economic activity, and the final proof will show up in the next round of earnings reports. -The ISM manufacturing index contracted in October, the fastest pace since 1982. -Consumer confidence fell to its worst level since the index began in 1967. -The GDP number dropped 0.3% in Q3-08. -In October, consumers were like a deer caught in headlights. This being said, I don't think that the trends over past few months will last. Consumers are itching to spend and Christmas is right around the corner. My prediction is spending will pick up much more than the pundits expect. The credit markets continued to improve, and the three-month LIBOR rate dropped to the lowest level since Lehman Brothers collapsed in September. With gas prices at more reasonable levels, look for vehicle sales to pick up, and retailers across the board are poised for better than expected gains. If you listen to the negatives, you would think that everyone is unemployed. Even with an unemployment rate of 7,8, or 9 percent, over 90% of the country is still working and making money. Since spending has become a habit, spending will continue. For many, it's their favorite pastime. At the ending of trading on Tuesday, the major world stock markets soared; London's FTSE was up 4.42%, Frankfurt's DAX closed up 5.00%, and Paris' CAC finished up 4.62%. Japan's Nikkei was up 6.27%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed up 0.28%. The Rest of the Story: Some people think Barack Obama is just a common man. Someone like you and I. Don't bet on it. He has been groomed for many years. We, as serfs work for the lords of the eastern establishment- Better known as the hierarchy.