I understand, and sympathize with, the populist impulse against Wall Street, but I suspect that cheering for the market to implode isn't really about well-founded hostility towards "The Man", but rather, part of an overall drive that pathologically wants everything to fail, collapse, and descend into utter chaos - human toll be damned. These people want to be right no matter the cost, and regardless of the facts. The obverse side of the same coin that the teabaggers represent.

For better or ill, many middle and working class Americans have their already-depleted retirement funds tied into the market through simple savings accounts, CD's, 401k's, IRA's, and mutual funds. Sure, I am all for the Wall Street fat cats getting their due, but I just can't bring myself to root for people's life savings taking a hit. Yes, I know that the fat cats are at fault for this mess, but the "system" isn't being dismantled and rebuilt from scratch anytime in this young century. We can go after them, and at the same time, help rebuild at least part of what was lost for many well-meaning, hard-working people. Yes, that means pushing for progressive taxation and other measures. But if any part of a rebuilding effort is tied into the Dow at some level and in some way, then so be it. I don't have to necessarily root for it to hit 10,000, but I surely don't feel comfortable waving my pom-pom's for a Second Great Depression either. We're close enough as it is.

So yes, the gas price issue is a part of this pathology on DU. Middle and working class people sometimes have long commutes, and can't afford hybrids, etc. even as many drive gas-sensible cars and not SUV's. So this crowd claims to be a champion of the middle and working classes, but are willing to "teach them a lesson" and have them "pay the price". Burn the village in order to save it, et al.

Being right, and being better than others less enlightened than they, is an honored DU pastime for a select few.