Can we have an open, realistic conversation about the state of the market?

I’m writing this post because this sub has been pretty closed off to actually talking about the state of the market currently. I think most users here are well aware that the general wisdom is don’t sell when the market hits a downturn, keep doing your DCA’ing into broad market index funds, and weather the storm. However, I also think it’s unreasonable to continue talking as if this is a one size fits all approach. Many people do not have a long investing time horizon, who may be suffering relevant losses to their portfolio in the last 30-45 days. Many people don’t have piles of cash on hand with which they can buy this dip.

We are at the very beginning of a potentially unprecedented four year stretch. It is objective and clear that the current administration is not concerned about the impact of its policies. Many of its policies have been projected to at best lead to a market pullback, and at worst cause a recession. The tariffs on Canada/Mexico that are currently paused for not even the next 30 days are projected to cause car prices to go up by about $10,000 per car. This would have a big ripple effect on the economy and the market, and that is just one policy that is set to take place within the first 60 days of this administration.

I believe that it is irresponsible and against the spirit of this sub to continue talking as if this is a random blip on the radar. I’m not going to suggest that the market is starting a 100% downturn and within four years, we’ll all have no money left. But we’re halfway to correct territory in just 30 days. Why can we not discuss the very real possibility that we are sliding into a recession? Most of us on this sub have probably not been investing long enough to know how to manage our investments during a recession. I think it could only benefit us all to acknowledge that the bull market cannot last forever.