4 to Watch: Will the Flash Freeze Hurt Everyday Investors?

1. Fixing the Economy

A new report says the average household is earning less than when the recession ended, and unemployment rates in 28 states are going up. Stanford University professor John Taylor, author of “First Principles: Five Keys to Restoring America’s Prosperity,” says it’s necessary to establish a “predictable policy” framework for rebuilding the economy. A steadier strategy would lead people to spend, expand and innovate.

2. Flash Freeze Hurting Investor Confidence?

For regular investors who aren’t making trades every day, does yesterday’s NASDAQ flash freeze really matter? Liquidnet CEO Seth Merrin says it’s an incredibly public problem, so investors who are watching it unfold may feel less confident about putting their money in equities. GFI Group Director John Spallanzani says we need an overseer on all of the exchanges, who can prevent more flash freezes from occurring.

3. Should the U.S. Take Greater Role in Syria?

International outrage is growing over the latest claims that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against its citizens. Gen. Jack Keane, U.S. Army (Ret.) says the international community has verified that Assad has chemical weapons, and it appears that he probably has used them in a suburb of Damascus, an area where rebels had made advances. Lou Dobbs says the president is faced with a grave choice: acknowledge that chemical weapons have been used and formulate a policy, or continue to seek further investigation. Gen. Keane says President Obama should use this incident as a catalyst to bring together a coalition to topple the Assad regime.

4. Grading the President’s College Rating Plan

Neil Cavuto says he agrees with President Obama’s take on soaring college costs. While it’s not perfect, he says he likes the idea of holding college personnel like professors and administrators accountable to proving their worth to Uncle Sam. Former Reagan and Nixon senior advisor Pat Buchanan, however, says the Department of Education’s metrics for grading are flawed and can be the first step down a slippery slope.