AA- the mainstay of aluminum production, along with FCX and there control over copper, just look at those charts. Not only will these companies not be participating in the stock market surge in the coming months, but they will join my coal and steel stocks as has been industries trying to innovate to stay profitable. But just look at how far the stock maket has come these past three years, and all of it accomplished with no contributions from these two " old " stalworths, and the others I have mentioned. Thats what is helping the overall inflation rate, that has remained tame by old standards. Bernanke will continue to print money, and thats always bad, but on the flip side, all of those extra dollars increase liquidity both here and around the globe. Fortunately the rest of the World is following our lead in this endeavour and printing up even more money on a grand scale to boost there own economies. Eventually all of this money will be used for something more than just boosting capital. Besides there are now over 7 Billion in population around the world, go to next level, the more people you have the more you need to support those people.
Getting back to AA and other industries that have not really paticipated in the stock markets advance, these companies just represent products that are still in demand but just not really needed in any great abundance, so IMHO, earnings with be muted for the next few quarters.
I also agree that the congress will not be responsible for much of the economic push forward, they will be to busy trying to apease everyone in just trying to get elected next Novemeber. Our debt problems will still be upon us, but as long as the tax cuts expire this December, then that issue will be addressed, along with a better economy, and a decrease in the unemployment numbers.
A bad economy usually expands social needs by the government, and a better economy will begin to decrease those needs on the states, and the Federal Government. Of course any world event can always change the picture, like another Japanese Earthquake, but just like terroism, as long capitalism flourishes around the world then things will get better. Look at Vietnam, I am amazed at the progress being made in that country, and like Africa, which the Chinese are developing, there are many pockets of flourishing economies.
The world just can not always depend upon America for everything, unfortunately thou China is waiting on the sidelines and taking over. China will be the dominate force in a few more years, they have done it many industries, and if we don't start supporting these new industries of the future, like solar, then America will become another England, powerful, but just not dominate. I need to stop this thought process for now, I need to get back outside and work a little on the property.
