As I attempted in the first installment, I offer a high level overview to generalize my view on the credit quality of a vast expanse of states, cities and local issuers of municipal bonds. I believe ratings do matter because, not only do they represent a measure of differentiation and separation of value for some 60,000 issuers, but in the long run, they may serve as an affirmation of the soundness and strength of tax-exempt investments.