The Editor’s Desk

THE WORLD ECONOMY IS UNDER THREAT, THE FUNDS MUST ACT MORE RATIONALLY!

As the mortgage crisis is accompanied by a run-up in energy and food prices, the capitalist economy's most feared outcome, "Stagflation", has shown its teeth. In stagflation, growth is stagnant whereas inflation and unemployment rates are rising. This is a common problem of "cut-throat" capitalism when international funds become more powerful than national economies and start driving the world economy with purely profit-oriented behaviors.

Economists fear that this could become the worst downturn since the steep 1981-1982 recession. The secret word is "confidence", which is driven by "expectations". Just as "the most human feeling"--happiness--is measured against expectations which are fulfilled or unfulfilled, the economy (also affected by human behavior) will end up in recession or not, through expectations which are either met or unmet.

Today we need our wise decision makers to be aware of this danger and act according to the interests of people all around the world. Otherwise, we will end up with increasing poverty and starvation, which will lead to nothing but war.

Refik Kutluer
Economist/Turkey
refik@alabanda.com.tr

THE WORLD ECONOMY IS UNDER THREAT, THE FUNDS MUST ACT MORE RATIONALLY!

As the mortgage crisis is accompanied by a run-up in energy and food prices, the capitalist economy's most feared outcome, "Stagflation", has shown its teeth. In stagflation, growth is stagnant whereas inflation and unemployment rates are rising. This is a common problem of "cut-throat" capitalism when international funds become more powerful than national economies and start driving the world economy with purely profit-oriented behaviors.

Economists fear that this could become the worst downturn since the steep 1981-1982 recession. The secret word is "confidence", which is driven by "expectations". Just as "the most human feeling"--happiness--is measured against expectations which are fulfilled or unfulfilled, the economy (also affected by human behavior) will end up in recession or not, through expectations which are either met or unmet.

Today we need our wise decision makers to be aware of this danger and act according to the interests of people all around the world. Otherwise, we will end up with increasing poverty and starvation, which will lead to nothing but war.

Refik Kutluer
Economist/Turkey
refik@alabanda.com.tr

I find NOTHING WRONG with the New Yorker. I think it is sad that Obama supports can't see the truth behind Obama and what he really stands for. Obama says he not Muslim but his father was at one time and one a muslim ALWAYS a muslim. That is how it is in the Muslim believes. But for Ms Obama I do believe that she is after WHITE PEOPLE in General and a person like should NEVER be in the WHITE HOUSE. But is you want a muslim in the white house who is always flip flopping then Obama the man. But remember our troops in Iraq who are getting killed by MUSLIMS. VOTE FOR MC CAIN in 2008. REMEMBER THE ONLY CHANGE OBAMA IS OFFERING IS THE CHANGE YOU WILL HAVE IN YOU POCKET WHEN HE IS DONE . Name one person who didn't run for office that did not say he was a person of CHANGE. But with Obama in office we will be a THRID WORLD COUNTRY when OBAMA IS DONE WITH US. I love the New Yorker and how it painted a real picture behind the OBAMA'S. Mc Cain in 2008. For all you BLACK to bad so sad LOL NOT.

I find NOTHING WRONG with the New Yorker. I think it is sad that Obama supports can't see the truth behind Obama and what he really stands for. Obama says he not Muslim but his father was at one time and one a muslim ALWAYS a muslim. That is how it is in the Muslim believes. But for Ms Obama I do beleve that she is after WHITE PEOPLE in General and a person like should NEVER be in the WHITE HOUSE. But is you want a muslim in the white house who is always flip flopping then Obama the man. But remember our troops in Iraq who are getting killed by MUSLIMS.

Why can't I leave long comments like others do? I get cut out when the little box is filled whether I scroll or hit enter

I do not care what any politician's religious beliefs are; it is private. This right wing Christian effort to inject religious fundamentalism into all aspects of American life has eroded the quality of the political debate and made America a less free place to live.

I just read the article about Obama's Christian faith and I have no doubt who the author of the article will vote for in November- Obama. Then entire article bordered on "sappy" when describing his "journey of faith," and I would challenge him on 2 points: First, when he says that he and Michelle don't go to church regularly and basically talk to their children about God only when asked, they disobey what the scriptures instruct, which is that Christians are to "train up a child in the way he/she should go, and when he/she is old, they will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) Secondly, when Obama says that he believes that there are many ways to God, again I remind him of Jesus Christ's own words when He said, "I (Jesus) am the way, the truth and
the life; no man comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6) I know that it is disturbing to him to think that his mother, who denied salvation through Jesus Christ, is in hell today, but therein lies the message that we all must face for ourselves: we either accept Jesus Christ and have eternal life in heaven, or we reject Him and face certain torment in Hell. And no matter who you are, that truth will not change. It is obvious that Obama still has much spiritual searching to do. May He soon realize that all roads lead to the cross.