-- GOOD NEWS #1: All of those mutual funds & brokerages form a major segment of the vast pool of traders actively trading every day. Some 2-Billion shares of stock change hands several times each day on just the New York Stock Exchange alone! Stocks & stock derivatives are but a small portion of the total Financial Market actively traded EVERY day.

-- GOOD NEWS #2: TRADING is where the Action is! The more traders there are, the more volume & liquidity there will be; the more volume there is, the more volatility there will [probably] be; more volatility means momentum. Volume, liquidity, volatility, momentum--all are highly desired by traders. It all adds up to = Action! TRADING truly is where the Action is!

-- BAD NEWS #1: A major pool of trading money is the 'retirement dreams & life savings' sitting in mutual funds and brokerage accounts. Together with insiders trading the vast money pools of insurance companies, pension funds, corporate cash reserves and wealthy families (in the know), the traders enjoy the best of the financial world's opportunities.

-- BAD NEWS #2: A vested interest in the status-quo will do everything possible to ensure it never changes. They'll keep on preaching the Gospel of Investing, Diversification, Hold (for the long haul) 'n Hope; trust them to plan & execute your financial future. After all---Remember: they are the "professionals".

-- BAD NEWS #3: Investors have high hopes, but reality is probably 10-15% annual appreciation growth. 'Mutual' does not mean that all share equally!