Two reasons for the bad economy

Here's two letters sent in to Dave Ramsey. They really give us a good example of what's wrong with our economy right now. The first shows a guy who won't take responsibility for his money, and the second shows a reader being punished for her success. Click the link for Dave's response.

Dear Dave,

My boyfriend has a lot of debt. The other day a creditor called, and he wouldn't answer the phone. Then, he told me it would be easier for him to pay off his debts if we were married because I could act as his accountability partner. I don't want to be the money cop, and I wonder if he would truly be more motivated. What do you think?

Janine

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Dear Dave,

I just received notice that my homeowners insurance is about to increase $200 because my FICO credit score dropped. I recently became debt-free, so I know this score will continue to drop. I'm very confused and angry about this. What should I do?

Shelly

Mr. Right is Mr. Debt?

Ramsey: How to use your tax rebate

Check out Dave Ramsey's latest about tax rebates and home mortgages.

I don't like the idea that my money could be going to help someone else buy a big-screen television or whatever toy they've got in mind. I understand that the "rebate" is designed to stimulate the economy and pull us away from a possible recession, but it sounds a little like socialism to me – and that's just the opposite of capitalism.

The whole idea – increased consumer spending giving the economy a boost – sounds good in theory, but I think a much better idea would be to encourage freedom from debt. That would increase consumer spending and in turn cause the economy to flourish.

How to use your tax rebate

The Sun Online - News: Why we must close the net

So Elton John is blaming the internet for bad music. That's all fine and dandy, but what's his excuse for the last 35 years that he's been polluting the airwaves?

He claims it is destroying good music, saying:

“The internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff.

“Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK but it doesn’t bode well for long-term artistic vision.

“It’s just a means to an end.

“We’re talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that’s not going to happen with people blogging on the internet."

The Sun Online - News: Why we must close the net

CNBC: Is Faking Vince McMahon's "Death" Working?

Here's a CNBC article looking at Vince McMahon's "death."

"Now, let's go a little deeper. Is it a crime for the WWE to fake McMahon's death? I don't believe so. Because a police report wasn't filed and McMahon isn't creating any sort of phony documentation or cashing in on a life insurance policy, it doesn't seem like there's any exposure here.

But I still think there's a possibility the organization could be sued by a shareholder. By announcing that he is "presumed dead" on their official Web site, they could be charged with misleading stockholders. There's no evidence that a slew of people bought the McMahon news on Wall Street. As of Monday's close, WWE stock is down only 1.8 percent since the "accident." You'd think if McMahon really died, the thing would plummet. That being said, I think there could still be a claim."

WWE: Is Faking Vince McMahon's "Death" Working? - Sports Biz with Darren Rovell - CNBC.com

McMahons yet to unveil succession plan for WWE

Here's a good look at the financials of World Wresting Entertainment. Also listed are the salaries of all four McMahons.

Who’s next in line to reign over the ring? McMahons yet to unveil succession plan for WWE By ALEXANDER SOULE

My Retirement just got pushed back 5 years

Wow... terrible day for the Dow. :(

BREITBART.COM - Dow Drops 416 on Global Market Plunge

Ric Flair Finance

Uh....

Link: Ric Flair Finance