Today the Dow Jones Industrial Average responded to the Federal Reserve's $85 billion bailout of AIG by shedding over 449 points, settling at 10,609 -- its lowest close in nearly three years.
Since a one-day snapshot doesn't tell the whole story, consider that the Dow saw its all-time high of 14,164 less than one year ago. Since then, the American economy has been hemorrhaging capital, the market losing more than 25% of its value between last October 9th and today.
"Stay in the market, you'll get all your money back and more!" cry the experts. "Don't just do something -- stand there!"
I'm no investment guru, but in the face of an unprecedented economic meltdown and corrupt U.S. fiscal policy, that may no longer be good advice.