[supercat]

The DOW might recover, but many of our portfolios won't (in time to retire)

If a stock is bought above its real worth, money is lost then and there. The previous owner's profit will come from one or more future owners. If demographic trends cause more money to be pulled out of the stock market than is being pushed in, stock prices will fall to slightly below their real worth before very many people cash out. Having them fall to match their real worth sooner rather than later is generally a good thing.

[CottonBall]

Having them fall to match their real worth sooner rather than later is generally a good thing.

I think this correction is way overdue. However, it is costing those that had faith in our economic system a lot of money. People will be leery of jumping in from now on after losing up to 40% of what they had. Kinda like the old folks from the depression that are wary of banks, the government, and want to keep their cash close at hand. I think I understand them a lot more now.