Here is some perspective regarding downside

[tomorton]

Supply chain issues are manufactured by the shipping lines that lost tons of money in the first year of covid and are now getting compensated by holding backs ships, with a wink from the US government because shipping lines are national security and no one wants them to go out of business.
I can also tell you for a fact that truckers are hard to come by because those failing drug tests are entered in a national database and can't be hired. Trucking companies simply can't find drivers who aren't dopped up. In fact, supply chain companies which all have stringent drug testing and firing policies simply cannot find labor because so many fail dope tests. Welcome to the land of bright and brighter.
Supply chain issues will miraculously disappear when shipping lines have recouped their losses.

I understand that a surprising number of jobs in the US require some kind of licence or qualification.

I'm talking about barbers and bar-staff here, not lawyers or surgeons.

That's not exactly encouraging free employment.

 

[zdreg]

I understand that a surprising number of jobs in the US require some kind of licence or qualification.

I'm talking about barbers and bar-staff here, not lawyers or surgeons.

That's not exactly encouraging free employment.

Differing state requirements and failure to recognize the licenses from other states hinders worker mobility. The problem worsens every year.
(Trade groups lobby/bribe state legislators to pass laws to protect their turf)

 

[VicBee]

I understand that a surprising number of jobs in the US require some kind of licence or qualification.

I'm talking about barbers and bar-staff here, not lawyers or surgeons.

That's not exactly encouraging free employment.

It's nothing compared to Europe, but it's been growing for well over 30 years in the US. Behind the will to professionalize a job skill, they're all forms of protectionism and means of taxation. Heck, you could make the argument that states themselves are an outcome of that logic.
The US has always been known as a highly flexible workforce, nomadic enough to moves where job are, which helped create a highly dynamic economy. But these state licenses and unique qualification requirements add burden and cost to newcomers who may choose to stay put, either because of what they had to go through to get their license in their state, or because of the burdens from the new state.

 

[ET180]

The fact that we're only down like 5% on the S&P after the S&P was up 30% last year and people are already freaking out tells me that there's a lot more to come.

 

[easymon1]

I expect pain all year

Suit yourself but with all the inverse etf's, the ease of selling or buying futures, there are plenty of ways for a trader with a plan to make hay while the sun shines. We Got Action.
Plan your work and work your plan.
Don't let trades turn into "investments".
https://www.elitetrader.com/et/thre...solid-trading-plan.340340/page-4#post-5031706