James,
We will see.
I mean the former occupant of the White House gave us a 91% market gain for a big chunk of his Presidency!!!
I got my $13/pay period. It was nice, but not overwhelming. Paid for half my beer purchases on dart night. However, I don't think it spurred the stock market by 67%. That is the only break I got. Do I get it this year as well? My dad - a small business owner - got nada from any of those tax changes. He didn't spend last year rolling in gold.
For me, 2011 will result in a $110 loss in income per pay period (two weeks). As I adjust to that fact I will affect the economy and the market. As a matter of fact I am listening to a financial planning show on the radio as I type. They are emphasizing tax management to adjust to President Obama's changes.
I, for one, expected a rebound to a new neutral. Nothing in the 57% decline made sense. However, the new neutral seems to be at 72% of the former high. Note the two month plateau. From here, my guess is anemic GDP growth, minimal equity growth (with moderate swings), continued growth in unemployment, and a mysterious decline in profit as corporations and investors adjust to changes in dividend and capital gains tax treatments. That does not bode well for 2010.
Anyway, didn't you spend an awful lot of time in the G Fund for someone exuding such confidence? I mean, you were largely in the G Fund for a hundred calendar days, 27% of the year. Earlier, say 2007, you spent far more time in the market. What gives.
If GDP grows robustly (at least 3.5%, hopefully in the more normal 5% - 8% range for a recovery), the market grows by 10%, and unemployment falls to 6% in 2010 than I am with you.
Have some confidence.
There is hope and change.