Interesting article of the domestic migration trends in 2018 with charts.As mortgage rates climb, affordability in the most expensive markets has suffered, driving more people to affordable, low-tax inland job centers in states like Florida, Texas and Tennessee.In the third quarter of 2018 people continued to move away from high-cost coastal markets like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., in increasing numbers.

They had two pit bulls, possibly doing drugs, and domestic abuse so they had to go. 

And again, the (leveraged) wealthy benefit from it, while relatively untouched by a couple hundred dollars more for gas and food.There is a wealth gap,  I'm not sure it's creating (very much) ((social)) tension.I'm guessing the middle earners (because they really are not Middle Class by American standards of a few decades ago), W2 Wage slaves living paycheck to paycheck, more resent the people on Welfare who they work to support,than the wealthy--who they have almost zero contact with, other than in certain service jobs.Culturally there seems to be a bigger divide between the welfare's and the W2's than between Welafare's or the W2's and the High Income/High Net Worth individuals, who also use mortgages and make payments on cars and furniture.Just more expensive homes, cars and furniture than your standard paycheck to paycheck W2 Wage Slave.I think the divide is between the Welfare Class and the so-called Middle class who supports them with their IRS tax payments.But in reality I think there is not much animosity between any groups, that is not stirred up by the media.Most people treat me decently, no matter what their group--and I do my best to treat them decently as well.Of course there will always be those who are jealous, or Hate for other reasons, but most people have it pretty good as far as getting what they want.And there is no way to fix jealousy or Hatred--it's been with us since time forever.As far as the W2's and the welfare's, there needs are met, and no one is standing in their way of getting more other than their own inability to motivate themselves to do more to get more.The one's who get the bad end of the stick ore the Homeless People--that's a tough life, poor devils.Just My 2 Cents. 

Mike,I agree with almost everything you say above (and despite my sarcastic remarks to you in general, I often agree with much that you have to say)...But, my issue with Bush is two things:1) The way he tried to keep our country safe was not just strong foreign policy, but also too strong domestic policy.

I also would be buying securities such as PFF (an etf basket of preffered shares yield 9%+) if you don't have any exposure to the domestic equity market (ie if your holding only real estate and gold bars).

I am sure that the energy savings with a new boiler, outdoor temp reset, domestic hot water pre-heat, etc. would qualify for the rebates.

It could also be argued that US investment firms made the investments appear safe to foreign and domestic investors.

(company contributions, foreign or domestic, are a completely separate discussion)My question was, are you okay with foreign COUNTRIES (i.e., governments) influencing our elections with campaign contributions?

With your attitude of complete disdain for and hatred of your customers and your industry I would suggest something for which you're more suitably equipped; congressman perhaps, or Vice President of The United States.all cash

Fannie Mae obviously tried to hide the fact that this house was infested by something domesticated or foreign.