The once-unthinkable loss of the AAA rating will constitute a further hit to already fragile business and consumer confidence.

I remember when I was growing up, you would go to a bank to open a deposit, and they'd give you a toaster. A free toaster. These days, if you're a company, and you go to a bank, they could easily turn you away! They don't want your deposits anymore.

If you happen to be the only one with negative interest rates, you also weaken your currency, which means you make your exports more competitive.

How long can interest rates stay negative? Think about this. Not only are you lending your money to governments, but you're paying them interest for the privilege of doing so.

Investors have to ask themselves two questions. How much can we grow our investments? And, can we afford our mistakes?

The world is on a bumpy journey to a new destination and the New Normal.

As a whole, investors should welcome attempts to safeguard the integrity of markets. You need very clear rules applied to markets.