Economics and Investing:

Some recent data on the income decline in America illustrates that we are indeed in the early stages of an economic depression. There is an ocean of red ink that needs to dry out. And that might take two or three decades, folks.

Diana was the first of several readers to mention this: Vatican urges economic reforms, condemns collective greed

Mark L. pointed me to a new piece by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard that has some positive comments on investing in America. Yes, Things are so fouled up in European financial circles that they even make the U.S. look relatively safe and strong!

FedEx Sees E-Commerce Driving Record Holiday Volume

German officials: Bailout fund will top $1.4 Trillion (Thanks to G.G. for the link.)

Days Of Reckoning: Mark Your Calendar for Two Historic Days that Could Shake Wall Street

Items from The Economatrix:

Stocks Fall as Hopes for Europe Deal Falter

The IPO Market, an Engine of Growth, Stalls

US Stock Futures Up After Solid Corporate Earnings

Survey:  Economists Bleak About US Economy