Money market funds may also invest in municipal bonds backed by state governments, short-term notes issued by corporations, or CDs.

NPR: Lehman Fallout Hits Money Market Fund

"People are talking and this can't help them, " said Brian Thomas, chief financial officer of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which has issued short-term notes through underwriters including Goldman.

WSJ: Goldman Officers Go on Charm Offensive

There will be more bank failures no matter what, but the government wants to prevent otherwise healthy banks from unnecessarily failing because they are unable to sell short-term notes and bonds to fund their own activities.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Grant suggests selling home builder stocks and buying short-term Treasury notes.

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The railway ministry, which is China's largest corporate-bond issuer, used all of last year's quota for long-dated bonds and also raised an additional 50 billion yuan via short-term bills and medium-term notes.

WSJ: China's Railway Ministry Gets Approval for Bonds

Last month Nottingham City Council started demanding sick-notes for short-term absence, sparking a protest among local doctors.

ECONOMIST: Health

The RBC analyst also notes that there is probably a contingent of investors concerned about the short-term dynamics of the medical devices sector.

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