NYT: Banks poised for dividends after 3-year gap - Business - The New York Times - msnbc.com

Banks on a role. Amazing what trillions of dollars in bailout money will do to get you through a recession. Our government and citizens do not have the will to hold the banks accountable for their law breaking activity, regardless of the damage they have inflicted on the country.

New York Times Story paying dividends again. 
NYT: Banks poised for dividends after 3-year gap - Business - The New York Times - msnbc.com:
 "Investors in bank stocks are about to get a big cut of the profits again. Financial analysts say the nation’s largest banks are ready to begin restoring their dividends in the first half of the year, after a three-year pause to repair their damaged balance sheets. The reversal could put billions of dollars in the pockets of pension funds and retirees who had viewed bank shares as dependable sources of income. Clues to how big a payout is in store could come as early as Friday, when JPMorgan Chase announces its 2010 financial performance, the first of many earnings reports to come over the next week from the likes of Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo."

Bill Gross Elaborates On His “US Policy Makers Are Praying Mantises Having Sex With Us And Then Biting Our Heads Off” Metaphor « Dealbreaker: A Wall Street Tabloid – Business News Headlines and Financial Gossip

Interesting Quote from Bill Gross. I see the humor in it but I am surprised that Gross has had enough of the current policies. Pimco seemed to be benefiting from some of the over zealous spending. You can follow the link and read the full story. Bill Gross Elaborates On His “US Policy Makers Are Praying Mantises Having Sex With Us And Then Biting Our Heads Off” Metaphor « Dealbreaker: A Wall Street Tabloid – Business News Headlines and Financial Gossip: "I used the praying mantis metaphor in my recent investment outlook pointing out that there are consequences for mindless political thrusting and Washington spending policies.We as Americans eventually lose our heads the way a male mantis does in the process of reproduction. Americans’ answer to a bulging deficit seems always to be manana. Debt commission recommendations" He does make a good point.

Obama says time to buy!

I saw some tape of President Obama on Bloomberg today and he said it was time to buy. I wonder home much of that nice $400,000 salary he is putting in the market without hedging his investment. Granted he doesn't have to worry much about living expenses for the next four years (at a minimum, could be more of course). I think the administration is perplexed by the meltdown on Wall since they have taken over the office. Yes of course I have heard every excuse in the book about inherited this and previous administration that and that its going to get worse before it gets better. However, it seems the Obama plan hasn't been as well received as they expected on January 20, 2009. There is plenty of skepticism among investors that they might not even have a plan to put in to play. Evidently most investors were hoping for more from this "dream team" that is now the lead dog. I still say that the press did far too much to promote the idea of change and did far to little to uncover the "stimulus" that would fuel such a change in tone and result in Washington.

I agree that it is early and the Obama Administration has had to take a big bite out of this problem. The issues now seems to be that we all agree there is a lot to be done and that the has downward momentum but the political rhetoric used to get elected may be causing a slight back lash. I hope they find the right solutions sooner rather than later. We all need that to happen as soon as possible regardless of our party affiliation. The catch 22 with building high expectations with lofty goals all based on "change" is that when it is your turn, people expect extraordinary results. You can not fault someone for aiming high but at times a little forward progress with tempered expectations might go a long way. (running the country is no easy task....certainly would could all agree with that premise.)

But the past 5 or 6 weeks might shed some light on just how difficult the situation is and that the Obama camp is trying everything it can to right the economy. It is time people realize that the previous administration was on the same program. Maybe that way every one can stop blaming the ghosts of the past and start focusing on solving the issues at hand.

Lets hope we all end up on the same page that moves the country forward sooner instead of later.