JP Morgan shows the flip side of Speculation

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JP Morgans recent loss of 2 Billion Dollars shows the flip side of Speculation. People and business speculate all the time and sometimes they hit big and other times they lose big, but most of the time they are not hitting the jackpot just producing a reasonable return. What should be noted is the people who lost money knew there was a risk. The greater reward the greater the risk and people who are willing to take that risk invest their money. The money that JP Morgan lost was its investors money and they are free to withdraw it and invest it some where else. Speculators and Investors pick and choose what to invest in and you can too by purchasing stock or Mutual Funds. If you want to invest in Green Technology you can or you can invest in Socially Responsible Funds or you can invest in any number of business opportunities with your money and what you earn is yours (less a tax to the Government on all profits) and what you lose is yours (with limited deductions on your taxes). The important thing is it is your money and you decide how to risk it. Unlike you the Government is picking which companies to invest in with our money and we have no choice and we can not withdraw our money and invest it elsewhere. If the company makes it the government gets back their principal investment and if there is any profit the decide what to do with it. If there is a loss then the taxpayers (You and me) pay for the loss. In effect the government is speculating with our money, what do they have to lose? If the company by chance makes it big the Politicians may get some big contributions to get re elected or an executive position when they leave government. They have nothing to lose by speculating with our money and they may even enjoy some gains with our money.