Trickle down economics. A theory, of course, but its called exactly what it is – a trickle for most Americans.

Jim Hightower describes it as tinkle-down economics and though the visual might be objectionable, the essence is right on target.

Supporters of trickle down fondly remember the Reagan era (any administration would be fondly remembered at this point) but tricklers, like Larry Kudlow, can quote statistics. Well, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Many of us remember how hard the Reagan era was – its just true.

But trickle down’s time is now. Support banking; support Fannie, Freddie and foreclosure for millions of Americans. Support business and finance and eventually the “trickle” will get there – it’s a theory that has never trickled and never will.

As we see low interest loans and bailouts for banking and finance, we get empty words from the Paulsen/Bernanke road show. Don’t lose hope, we know what we need:

1. A moratorium on foreclosures.
2. Regulation to stop speculation in the in the oil futures markets.

Read the Sunday NY Times article about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the influence they wield with Wall Street, how entrenched they are in our political machinery whose denizens continue to give them every thing they need. Freddie and Fannie own or guarantee half of our $12 trillion in mortgage debt, and now they’ve got us in big trouble.

I watched a seemingly tranquilized Jim Cramer trying to calm the markets; I couldn’t bear watching his American Dream special – mad money indeed.

An important letter went out from the Chief Executives of the major airlines to their frequent fliers about the impact of this outrageous oil speculation. A barrel of oil can be sold as many as 20 times prior to being taken for delivery. There may be $60 in the current cost of a barrel of oil due to nothing more than speculation.

Go to my website www.MarcSussman.com, we’ll be putting up the letter. If you want action, you have to take action. The airlines are asking for your help. They’re fighting for their lives, and so are we. It’s MarcSussman.com; help stop oil speculation – It’s an action you can take.

Repo Ahoy, Matey!

There are some jobs that must be tough on the old self-image.

Lately, I’ve had a hard time with the army of meter maids spreading joy on every street corner in New York. Its an alternative congestion pricing plan. There are other more objectionable lines of work, of course. There’s always the bails bondmen, ropin’ em up, and bringin’ em. But now, more prevalent than ever, is the repo man.

These days its not only the family car that we’re seeing hauled away in the wee hours, for non-payment. Its another casualty of the
free-wheeling lending spirit that is now a faded memory. Its our “Jersey Girl”, or “Aquaholic”, or “A Wave from it All”. Aye, captain. It’s the family boat.

The refinancing craze drove the recreational boating industry, and we saw a 40% rise in luxury cruisers, miniyachts and sailboats from 2000 – 2006. The average loan tripled to $141,000. Now, these “Chickens of the Sea” have come home to roost. Home equity has fallen off a cliff, boat sales with it. Gas prices pour fuel on the fire. Boats make Hummers look energy efficient.

And so these are the salad days for the repo men. Economic downturns always are, but this one especially. The leverage was unlike anything ever seen. Repo operators have expanded, some have grown to double or triple in size. I can’t wait until the boat
foreclosure ads start hitting late night TV.

The stories offer tragic human interest, riveting reality TV content for those of us who relate. Misery loves company, ya know. Some of the fools among us learn the hard way. Some repo men have actually repossessed the same boat, from the same owner, 3-4 times.

We were so encouraged in 2007. Al Gore was the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner, we had the momentum generated by a new awareness.

There was the recognition that this is a war over resources, an energy war, that has quickly become a water war, a food war. The explanation by the Nobel Committee regarding this award was simple, and perhaps flew under the radar. Paraphrasing, the Nobel Committee stated, correctly, that global warming will lead to shortages of resources, and those shortages will lead to migration of peoples, and also to conflicts over resources. War. Access to resources, brings power and control over money.

We have seen the enemy, and it is us.

Last week, in close proximity, three distinctly separate news stories broke.

Check out Marc Sussman's Money Message every Saturday on Air America

There’s a great amount of research being done on the emotional and psychological impact that money has in our lives. Any day now, Barnes & Noble will announce their “Money & Happiness” section. We’ll see the different ways that we are affected, but first let’s get some basic facts out of the way.

Investor psychology