Theories abound as to how this economic mess came about. We see the occasional name come up about Ponzi schemes and other nefarious endeavours. These news bites seem to focus public attention and hostility on a few individuals who really don't count in the grand scheme of things, but we don't seem to be hearing much about those who set up the dominos to tip across the globe. We all understand the idiocy of the sub-prime lending and have wondered, how could anyone or any group be so unscrupulous? Media tracking of events is all very vague however and seems to dissolve into general blame on banks and Wall Street.... with a little help from their friends in gov't. The result of the economic naughtiness however is the disappearance and/or transfer of incomprehensible wealth. Will we ever know the real dope and will the perpetrators ever be brought to justice? Most of the population will likely be too busy trying to figure out how to get out of their respective financial messes while the trail grows cold. In the interim, there will be those who were instigators of the problem and those who just see the opportunity of what others have set up , who seize upon the vulnerability in the market. As we roll towards the end of this financial fallout we will see certain countries/companies/people come out of this stronger, some weaker, some not at all. As for the masses, we all know where they (we) will stand. Good ol' Canada with their new harmonized tax. Give the folks a grand and then tax it right back and then some, forever, on a tax you'll never see disappear. The game has always been rigged and always will be. But I feel so relieved knowing that each household in Canada will be in debt only for an additional $15K compared to the US $115K or some such number. Who knows where those numbers will finally land? We do know for certain though who will be paying it off. So the main point of my blurb here is to remain clear on the type of entities (hedge funds, majors, cartels, etc.) still running free that may be working to acquire what we collectively own for much less than is fair, from our perspective on what is in the ground and it's value for the future. The big companies are very much thinking about the future as much as the present. I suggest we maintain a similar perspective so as not to act hastily or in a way that ultimately would not be in our best interests as shareholders.