Investors can't handle the truth: A culture of whining and embracing the 'Lie to Me' mindset

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Investors can't handle the truth
We've adopted a culture of whining and embraced the 'Lie to Me' mindset

By Paul B. Farrell, MarketWatch


ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- "Lie to me." Listen, our new mantra's getting louder: "Lie to me." And the whining grows. Investors whine about bulls, whine about bears. We're spoiled, became whiners. We got used to easy money. Got soft, can't take the bear's stress. We want somebody, anybody to take away the anxiety, please just "lie to me." Doesn't matter who, our brain keeps whining: "Lie to me."

Yikes, what has happened to America's backbone? We're acting like spoiled brats, self-indulgent teenagers. Whiners. We let "them" lie to us. Beg for more. We get more, then whine when it isn't easy, doesn't work. Grow up America, take responsibility.

The world is looking for America to lead in this time of financial crisis and the U.S. is falling short, says Brazil's President Lula da Silva. Mary Anastasia O'Grady reports. (March 23)Wait, maybe you can't. Maybe "you can't handle the truth!" Remember that line from Marine Col. Nathan Jessup in "A Few Good Men," as delivered by Jack Nicholson? I'm a Marine veteran, served under men like him. Today "you can't handle the truth" is more than a line in a movie. It's a warning that something toxic is spreading across America. You feel it everywhere. We're getting "soft," losing our soul: No, "you can't handle the truth."

Investors would prefer drifting along in a perpetual bull market fantasyland. Even when things go south, as they are now, we try desperately to deny reality, dreaming of a quick bottom, new bull, dreaming bullish fantasies in a deepening bear market. Why? We want to be lied to. We've become wimps. We sit passively on the sidelines, letting our "leaders" lie to us, brainwashing us into whatever they want us to think.

'Lies' we uncritically and willingly accept

Meanwhile, it keeps getting worse. And our leaders know it, know America is trapped in this insidious "lie-to-me" mindset. They know that if they just "lie to me," we'll let them do whatever they want. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Investors-cant-handle-truth-so/story.aspx?guid=%7B836D9B74%2D673D%2D4B93%2DBFEE%2D6275E854F357%7D

[stillcool]

1. I can hear Jack Nicholson saying this...

Blame leaders? You picked them. You and me. You were warned for years, yet stood by, let this meltdown happen. Feigned amnesia, mesmerized by lies. Grow up. Stop blaming "them." Stop whining. You are responsible.