I don't quite get the logic of your above post with regard to Soros and Buffet ivesting in the stock market in economic "down times". In a sense, this is how Buffet makes his money. Neither can have a major effect on the aggregate economic situation.

As to why both are lefties you could probably apply a different set of premises to both. Soros is an elitest who on the one hand believes in making money from investor irrationalities created by boom/bust cycles for his own self interest. While at the same time he advocates heavy handed goverment intervention to curb the "evils" of self interest. He may or may not know that the government is what causes boom/bust cycles and the investor error that he profits off of, but his logic and general methodology are "dodgy" at best and sinister at worst. In an environment free of active monetary and fiscal policy Soros would not be a great investor.

Buffett has a brilliant mind for long range business and asset valuation. His expertise, and logical temper for making long term investments is unmatched. He is not a systematic ideologue like Soros. I consider Soros to be a serious enemy, I don't think the same of Buffett. I wish that Buffet would act like a Randian hero, but his current opinions do keep people off of his back.

- Jason

Warren Buffett and George Soros are small actors in the markets compared to large mutual fund managers and hedge fund managers. These people often have to sell into a rally to avoid significantly depressing their own diverse holdings.

Buffett and Soros could probably significantly affect the direction of a few stocks, especially during takeovers, but that's about it. The rumors of Soros' effect on the currency markets is often exaggerated.

Jim