Fear and greed are the basic motives of a market economy. Just as hunger is a basic motive of buying chow at a grocery store.  Of course, ungoverned greed is going to wreck an economy.

Cat,

Many people the world over. Have been lead to believe that the pyramid scheme called Reagonomics. Is an economy.

In fact many thought of it as Capitalism raised to a pedestal.

They never realized until now, that the 401K’s and IRA’s were only designed to get more money into the market. Creating false profits through inflationary investment. Not the validity or profitability of a business concern.

They never dreamed there would be losses like there are today.

They never dreamed that fees would deplete thier investments as much as they have.

I can’t count the number of times I have heard others exclaim that they haven’t a care in the world concerning the exorbitant salaries being paid the executives. Reasoning that as long as their 401k was growing. Criminality could be involved and it wouldn’t matter as long as they saw a profit.

None of these characteristics exhibit a healthy attitude toward investment. None of them show morality. None of them show clear thinking.

And Greed is not good.

Greed is not acceptable in true Adam Smith Capitalism.

Greed is taking what is not rightfully yours. And still wanting more.