The more I have learned about trading and investing the more I have learned that there really is no protection for the small investor. IT is a stacked game where those with power use it only for their own benefit. Actions to "regulate" the market are only smoke screens to hide what is really happening, and if anything, to make investing even harder for the little guy.
It does help, thanks. The whole thing is really confusing. I'll probably be better off just ignoring those numbers completely for now and focus on other areas I still need to learn about, such as charts. Those crazy charts with a million indicators and complex formulas...that should keep me busy for a while.