trading

Question 1:

Does the tail wag the dog or does the dog wag the tail? 

Correct.  Yes, the dog wags the tail!

Question 2

Does the market drive stock prices or does the stock drive the market prices?

The answer to "should you be trading to beat the market" is unquestionably NO!  Just like the old commercial, just say NO!  There are many reasons for this but let me give you a few.

If you trade regularly, you are sizing up with the big boys.