The stock exchanges provide two services to the community, one is to the economic benefit of society the other isn't. Stock exchanges are very important to the efficient assembling and allocation of capital in the economic process. The stock exchange is also a form a gambling which is not an economic benefit but rather an economic danger. Some stock exchange transaction simply concentrate wealth (when someone 'wins' someone also 'loses' the equivalent amount (less broker fees for buying and selling 
, of course 
)).
Graeme thats correct as long as there only many small players . But right now we have some funny mega players that can influence the prices by controlling media , to create flactuations and then buy or sell ahead of the average investor , ( takeover rumours etc) . So would not call it gambling anymore . Its more a rigged game .
Two years ago I could see whats coming and was labeled a half emty glas man. I would say your predictions are very accurate and the worst is yet to come . I got rid of many chrome shopping trolleys as I could and spent the proceeds on Aurum. Nil interest , but nobody can manipulate the value of that . With everybody trying to unload the sick US $ and the Euro going down everyday to kickstart the mega inflation to pay for the mounting debts , there is only one safe haven for most and that is gold or real estate. There could be some real classic bike bargains soon .
Ah Walter, ya bringing the anti-establishment rat bag out in me
. I couldn't agree more on ya observations or ya conclusions.
Insider Trading is rampant, and always have been, and is the main way the Big End of Town gets rich and stays rich. The cross membership of the Boards of Directors and the lack of qualifications other than being 'in the know' should be proof enough for the astute.
And ya can bet ya boots they'll use their position and the transportability of capital to keep their ill gotten gains, to threaten govt and to generally screw the 'little guy'.
