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The Stock Market: A Legal Ponzi Scheme?

OK, maybe Ponzi Scheme isn't exactly the correct term to use, but if you're not yet convinced the stock market is rigged, and designed to facilitate the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy, you might just be after watching this interview with Mad Money's Jim Cramer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Be sure to watch part 2 and part 3, for the really enlightening stuff!

Now don't get me wrong, there is still money to be made in the stock market. Just don't think of the stock market as a form of investing, it's really nothing more than a legalized form of gambling. For every dollar someone makes, someone else loses a dollar, but the big boys always take their cut off the top of both transactions.
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Comments

Alan P, MD said…
Wrong, for everyone who makes a dollar, someone loses a dollar + commissions + slippage.

While the stock market is gambling, one can put the probabilities somewhat in ones favor. (better odds than Vegas).
2:20 AM
Marc said…
one can put the probabilities somewhat in ones favor. (better odds than Vegas).

Kinda like counting cards in black jack. Are the odds still better?

I did admit though, there is money to be made in the stock market, but one thing I've learned from a lot of intense bike riding, you can't get greedy. You have to know to quit when your ahead.

What I hope everyone will take away from this interview is, you're never going to compete with the "big boys" [the house].

Ultimately, "THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS", or as Jim Cramer puts it, "PIGS GET SLAUGHTERED"
4:08 AM
Marc said…
Oh yeah, and how can you say the odds are better than Vegas (except for maybe the slots which can be manipulated), when the market can be so easily manipulated?

Did you listen to the interview?
5:17 AM
Alan P, MD said…
Well for one thing, your stock market losses are tax deductible (that's an edge you don't get in Vegas).

Assuming you are both long and short at different times, there is a 50% chance that it will be manipulated in your favor.

Yes, I saw the interview live on The Daily Show.
6:49 AM
Marc said…
Ok, I give, you win.

The tax deductibility of stock market losses is an advantage, and the 50-50 odds are clearly better than the 49.7-50.3 odds for Black Jack and 49.3-50.7 odds on craps.

But you know what, I'd still rather gamble it away in Vegas.

Don't you just love the internet? :)
8:51 AM
Reading, it’s not for everyone | Living with MCL said…
[...] Oh well, I can’t get too discouraged just yet. It’s only been just over a month since I officially retired, so I still have time to figure this whole retirement thing out. Maybe I’ll even start gambling in the stock market again. No, on second thought, I don’t think that would be a such good idea. [...]
8:36 PM
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