The other night I had just opened a bottle of Dom DeLuise '82 when a thought occurred to me: I've had to ratchet down a little in my wine selection.

You know, there are some angry people out there. I am holding my annual client reviews and, fortunately, the anger is not leveled at me.

But my clients, not all but many, are really mad at these infamous bailouts. I can understand that. The reality is that some of these bailouts, popular or not, had to be made.

The most common thought is "nobody bailed me out if my business was in trouble."

This is what I think.

The economic situation we are in in many instances is unlike anything that has happened in the past. I think some of these decisions are being made because the decision makers are unsure as to what to do.

I can understand that. Sometimes even the smartest people I know are stymied.

I also believe that they, the people making the decisions, are doing what they think is best. I also think some of these decisions are really dumb.

Let your politicians know how you think. You know the pen and the sword situation. They might not listen, but you can get it off your chest, which could make you feel better.

I always enjoy my annual client reviews.

We do them either in my office or over the phone. I get to talk to local clients, people in Michigan, in California, in Arizona and in Florida, as well as points in between.

When markets are not agreeable, it is less fun but nonetheless still enjoyable. We talk about everything: families, family issues, as well as the obvious. I end up knowing a lot about my clients, which helps me with the investment process.

There are a lot of people out there who are angry with their advisers. Not angry at the market — we can't control that — but angry with their advisers. Generally, it is a communication issue. I try my darndest to communicate with my clients in some manner.

If you have a communications issue, then I suggest now is a perfect time to find someone who communicates.

———

I want the bank stocks to stop going down. This is just me personally, but it seems to me everything else is somewhat stable. I know it sounds funny doesn't it?

I do feel like that if the banks, which are the pillars of our financial strength, find a bottom, then maybe the market does better. Who knows? That's just the way I feel.

———

Maddog and I were talking the other night, and she reminded me, none too kindly, that I will qualify for Social Security in just a few months. I know, looking at me it's hard to believe, isn't it?

Anyway, I am one of the baby boomers, and most of my high school graduating class is going to qualify this year also.

The chuckles are almost deafening. "Howie, can you believe it? I get to collect soon."

With recent market action, many of them are taking a more serious look at the benefits. It's likely the old 401(k) is not going to buy what it once would.

TomB, one of my classmates who also is a client, called to tell me that he made a blitz to the Social Security office to sign up and was told he would have to wait until 90 days before his 62nd birthday. Dejected, he returned home to mope and moan for a couple of months.

So those of you turning 62, call your Social Security office and ask officials their protocol. You might need to make an appointment.

———

I didn't have a lot to say this month about the market. That was because I didn't have a lot to say.

And finally, one of the things I can tell you is many people who have money try to help people who do not. What we are talking about is charity. Helping those who cannot help themselves.

Take my word for it. Many of my wealthy clients are very charitable. However, many of them are concerned about the new administration's supposed plans, which many think will take money from those who have it and give it to people who do not with no consideration for whether they deserve it. Many consider that a form of socialism.

I have no position on the matter, but I was reading a story the other day that quoted a couple of sources, and I just thought I would pass it along.

Literary genius George Bernard Shaw, who was a socialist in case you didn't know, wanted to abolish private property among other things. He said: "A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."

G. Gordon Liddy, a person close to the Watergate scandal, described liberals as "someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

My wife says conservatives believe the ATF, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, should be a convenience store and not a government agency. She thinks she's funny.

To contact me, you can e-mail Howie.Pentony@UVESTFINANCIAL.COM or at www.thebank.com.

Howie Pentony is a Butler financial adviser, UVEST Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC.