Will Gov. Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber "hook up?"

Will Cindy stop paying John's massive gambling debts and find true love with her rocker boyfriend?

These are some of the day's burning questions – you can't believe how many people think Sarah and Joe (the Plumboner... Pluvernor) is a terrific match.

Sadly, if you shook me like a Lucky 8-Ball, John/Cin and Joe/Sar may be the only two questions for which I lack a big-picture answer.

Normally, I would eschew even the slightest thought of such light-as-air musings, but I'm caught a bit short this week.

You see, each week, here at IDE, the writers and editors agree upon a collective theme –one that will highlight our individual perceptive masses in a manner that is engaging for you – expresses the responsibility we accept for the writer's relationship with our readers.

Last week "Good Credit Cures Bad Economy". I offered a spate of predictions – within the collective theme of what will cure the US's economy woes.

This means I was caught a bit short when the collective agreed upon yet another prediction theme.

So, while you'll have to browse this whole piece for a couple of sweet stock-pick nuggets that are interspersed, I pretty much mowed the prediction lawn last week.

Now, we can jump into the weeds and have some fun.

Here is exactly how 2009 will work out... exactly! Unless, of course, it doesn't... then, I assure you, like a fraidy-cat middle manager, I'll show why you it wasn't my fault.

Jan 2009 – Many Americans will be shocked by the amount of African American wealth on display during the week of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.

This wealth is not a sign of parity – the ratio of wealth to poverty among the African American population is still way out of whack – but, gathered in one place, that collective wealth will be impressive, nonetheless.
 
This is a top-ten event in US history and the costs are commensurate. The Four Seasons in Foggy Bottom is sold out, as is nearly every hotel room within 50 miles of DC... and at exorbitant rates, too. The Four Seasons' Royal Suite was booked at $15,000 a night.

That is an Oprah-like price, though my guess is that she'll likely be ensconced at The Willard downtown or The Watergate (probably in a private residence, because the hotel is rather blah), which is close by the Kennedy Center from where she'll do her shows that week.

For the rest of us, who, at this late date might be inspired to attend, we should look into the Westin or Sofitel in Philadelphia. Even better, rent a kick-butt, state-of-the-art RV and stay at the Cherry Hill RV Park and Campground in College Park, Md. Mike Gurevich, who owns the place, says 100 of the park's 300 sites have already been reserved. The cost: a less than Holiday Inn-like $55 a night.

By the way, Mike's usual occupancy for early January is zero.

February 2009 – You'll be able to make money in the movies this winter as the CantorExchange starts trading real Hollywood movie futures.