Economics and Investing:

I found this linked over at TotalInvestor.com: Worst of slump yet to come, says economist; Ann Pettifor predicted a painful end to the good times. Now she says that only radical action can prevent further gloom. Her prediction was right, but it is sad to see that she has bought in to the notion that governments can “spend their way out” of the credit collapse.

GG sent this: Students Borrow More Than Ever for College–25% Increase

FG flagged this Wall Street Journal piece: The Coming Reset in State Government – Governor Mitch Daniel. The governor of Indiana explains why the tax well is dry, and why it will remain dry.

Items from The Economatrix:

Jobless Rate Jumps to 9.7%; 216,000 Jobs Lost in August

Stocks Edge Higher [Thursday] on Mixed Job Reports

Energy Prices Slide as US Sheds Jobs

Chinese Sovereign Wealth Fund Dumping Dollars for Strategic Investments Like Gold

Gold: Separation Before Liftoff

China and the Buzz of a Pending Bank Default

China to Buy First IMF Bonds for $50 Billion

Derivative Contracts In China: Our Loss, Your Problem

Six Million Home Foreclosures: Are FDIC-Insured Banks the Next Time Bomb? (Pt 1)

Top 25 Banks by Loan Portfolio

No Pity For Citi

Mad, Mad World (The Mogambo Guru)

States Shut Down to Save Cash

Poverty Rate Among Older Americans May be at 18.6%