Money on the Sidelines? Don't Count on It

How much is really on the sidelines? All I ever hear is that there is a huge amount of money on the sidelines, waiting to get into every stock.

I question that.

I still see lots of money waiting to get out, and not a lot eager to get in. Worse, I see a lot of money that's been obliterated, gone, and that isn't ever coming back from the sidelines, because it isn't on the sidelines -- it's just gone.

Today's a typical day in the "sidelines" game. Where's all the money that's been waiting to get into Federal Express (FDX - commentary - Cramer's Take) or UPS (UPS - commentary - Cramer's Take) right around their lows, or in Black & Decker (BDK - commentary - Cramer's Take), which is experiencing endless selling today (I think that selling is overdone). Where are the buyers of Fortune Brands (FO - commentary - Cramer's Take), a well-balanced company that's been around forever? Or GE (GE - commentary - Cramer's Take), Hartford (HIG - commentary - Cramer's Take), Lincoln National (LNC - commentary - Cramer's Take)? Let's cut to the chase -- where are all the buyers of the S&P 500, for heaven's sake?

Here's what I think has happened. The stock market has taken on a level of risk that makes it a reckless place for 401(k)s. An article in today's Washington Post, talking about how much longer people will have to work because of stocks, pretty much says it all.

Individuals are now equating owning stocks with WORKING LONGER and HAVING LESS! They view it as a lying and cheating game where the dealers -- John Thain, Dick Fuld, Jimmy Cayne -- make billions and keep it while they themselves lose thousands buying their merchandise.

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Jim Cramer is co-founder and chairman of TheStreet.com. He contributes daily market commentary for TheStreet.com's sites and serves as an adviser to the company's CEO. Outside contributing columnists for TheStreet.com and RealMoney.com, including Cramer, may, from time to time, write about stocks in which they have a position. In such cases, appropriate disclosure is made. To see his personal portfolio and find out what trades Cramer will make before he makes them, sign up for Action Alerts PLUS. Watch Cramer on "Mad Money" weeknights on CNBC. To order Cramer's newest book -- "Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer)," click here. Click here to order "Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich," click here to order "Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World," click here to get "You Got Screwed!" and click here for Cramer's autobiography, "Confessions of a Street Addict." While he cannot provide personalized investment advice or recommendations, he appreciates your feedback and invites you to send comments by clicking here.

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