Due to technical difficulties this week we have been unable to post our daily reports. Over the course of the holiday week-end, we promise to get caught up.

Next week we will begin an on-going series -

Financial Illiteracy in American Government
"Why Johnny Can''t Save"

Our focus for this series will be the working poor.

If you work hard, you get ahead. That''''s the American Dream in a nutshell — no matter what your race, color, creed or economic starting point, hard work will improve your life and increase your children''s opportunities. Yet, this widely held dream is out of reach for an increasing number of working Americans. Despite their hard work and determination, these folks find themselves, as one of them observes, "hustling backwards".

One in four American workers — more than 30 million people — are stuck in jobs that pay less than the federal poverty level for a family of four. Housing costs, to name just one of several essential living expenses, have tripled since 1979, while real wages for male low-wage workers are actually less than they were 30 years ago. But the new face of the working poor is overwhelmingly that of a woman struggling to support her children. Only 37 percent of single mothers receive child support, and that support averages just $1,331 per year. Nearly a quarter of the country''s children now live below the poverty line.

18,000 Americans will die this year due to a lack of health insurance.

The average Wall- Mart worker earns approximately $16k a year and 53% of them have no health benefits. Based on a 40 hour work week, the CEO of Wal-Mart earns $16k an hour and yes, he has health insurance.

I am a conservative. A capitalist pig conservative! I cut my teeth on Reganomics but the trickle has all but evaporated. One of our case studies is a single mother of 4. She worked hard, never came late, never called in sick, worked overtime when needed, for $8.50 an hour. How easy it would have been to throw in the towel, but she hung in there. Didn''t give up. Her slice of the American Dream Pie was just around the corner, and then it happened - a raise! Not just any raise mind you, we''re talking $11.00 an hour. That translated into an additional $400 a month in take home pay. But don''t hang the party lights just yet. That raise cost her $600 a month in government benefits.

This is not why you come to Trading Markets. You come here to dine from a virtual buffet of the greatest financial minds in the world. What you learn on these pages can easily transition you into one of the world''s wealthiest. Don''t believe me?

Take this simple test:
Answer Yes or No

• Do you have spare change in a drawer or dish somewhere?

Congratulations! You are among the top 8% of the world''s most wealthy people. With that much of a head start and a little Trading Markets, you''re destined for greatness.

I''m just a little concerned about the other 92%...

I have a plan to make a difference - One life at a time!

Government is not the answer. Charity is not the answer.

YOU are the answer!

Join me for a life changing journey...

Trade Safe

From the World of CT

Thanks to Roger Weisberg and PBS for their contribution.