Stock Market Game Week in Review

The Stock Market Game is a curriculum-based teaching tool that allows students to invest a hypothetical $100,000 online stock portfolio to learn about long-term saving and investing.

Wall Street took another wild ride this week, and unfortunately it appears the coaster has derailed. Trying to highlight the positive has become a bit difficult as the headlines remain pretty gloomy: Unemployment has hit a 25-year high, the Dow and S&P 500 fell to 12-year lows on Thursday and 11% of mortgages are troubled. Well, at least there is news Michael Jackson is returning to the stage in London for his final 10 appearances. (Actually, we think that falls under "bad" news as well -- sorry!)

In light of President Obama's recent budget plan that includes more money for renewable energy, we will focus on the energy sector. The budget proposal includes $15 billion a year for renewable energy programs and a plan to raise $656 billion from a carbon reduction proposal. The plan uses money from a cap-and-trade program, which would allow companies to emit carbon dioxide up to a certain point and then charge them if gases are emitted above the cap, providing, the Obama administration claims, money for middle class tax cuts and investments in renewable energy.

While many companies do not oppose a price tag on carbon emissions, some critics feel companies already battered by the failing economy are in no shape to handle additional taxes. ...