EditorialWe,


The least you need to know about stock investing is that it isn't for the short term. With long-term investing, you ignore the short-term fluctuations in the market beause you know that the longer you leave your money invested, the more assured you are of enjoying the historical rate of return of the stock market.


I agree, but also when you invest long-term you don't invest with "our new super advanced technology is guaranteed to rule the world in two years" kind of companies, which is very common these days (even for funds).
But looking at the debt problem I'd say it is more reasonable to cut down the amount of debt (that in many cases is under more than 10% interest rate) rather than invest long term, as servicing expenses for debt will consume whatever profit investments might bring.

Stock market is official gambling machine :)

p.s. I also don't think that people who invested into Cisco when it was $90 stock would be so lighthearted calling current situation a short term loss... Well... they might recover in 3 or 4 years :)