It's not just the greed that guides a capitalist system - it's greed + fear. The greed did get out of hand recently as investors flocked to hedge funds and risk-free CDS's, i.e. the fear element was unrealistically mitigated. Fear is good. It makes us do real research and carefully weigh opinions and facts. However too much fear keeps would be investors on the sidelines.

Its interesting that the US dollar fundamentals are now in question. If enough people believe a collapse is imminent, it would signify among other things that a better investment vehicle is available elsewhere. I haven't found it. I give this scenario a less that 5% chance of coming to pass, and my money is invested accordingly.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma