The Supplicant-in-Chief

I agree with Hillary for once. Turning this country into the word's largest beggar is pathetic, but our current downfall is our own doing. Reagan unleashed a Pandora's box of irresponsible economic practices. (We can trace the institution of APR mortgages to Reagan's hatred of governmental regulation.) The war in Iraq - which Bush started so he could be called a :"War President:" - and lied to Congress about 953 times. (according to a recent article on earthlink.net) has destroyed our international image.Our unwillingness to break free from fossil fuel not only endangers our planet but cripples our economy. Furthermore, Democrats tend to feel that internationally we can't have too many friends; Republicans feel we can't have enough enemies. It's really ironic that a President who has literally given the finger to the world dozens of times is now touring the world with a palms-up open hand. (:"Brother can you spare a dime?") We need a total and complete regime change. Incidentally, a stock market with stricter standards of honesty and integrity might actually attract foreign investors rather than drive them away.

Very interesting idea James. Has this been tried in other countries?

The problem is that the Fed is charged with two mutually contradictory goals: one to prevent inflation, the other to stimulate investment in economic growth. And it has only one tool: monetary policy, mainly setting interest rates.

There is a better way. It is Peoples' Capitalism. Peoples' Capitalism would stimulate investment by granting access to credit for investment to every citizen through local banks. It would limit inflation through mandatory savings indexed to inflation.

The result would be that every citizen would acquire a portfolio of capital assets plus a substantial savings account. Economic growth would be rapid with little or no inflation. Eventually, every citizen would become a capitalist and receive a significant income from returns on investment. (For more information see http://www.PeoplesCapitalism.org)

All I can say is Americans better start learning other languages and studying up on which country they'd prefer to be a refugee in. If we get in that habit now then our children or grandchildren will be ready when this fall of the Roman Empire Redeux is under way.

You're all much too comfortable.

Not good to indulge in "what-ifs," but it's hard not to. "What if," instead of dumping a trillion-plus dollars into this tragically imbecillic war, we had instead embarked on a Manhattan-like project of finding a real, alternate energy supply. We would now be much less dependant on foreign oil, once again the entrepenurail/technological envy of the world, and economically triumphant. Aah, what might have been... if we had not had a tragically incompetent/arrogant/downright idiotic president and administration. Sad.

Remember that Saudi Arabia also owns twelve per cent of the U.S economy. Their gigantic embassy beside Watergate says it all. The author makes an excellent argument that we are desperate for Saudi Oil.. The only way to counter this is to lower the demand on Saudi Oil. By consuming alternate sources of energy we might be able to put some pressure on the Saudi's. Unfortunately, this is not a short term solution, it is long term. Our economy depends on Saudi Oil, so there is no way we are going to decrease our demand unless we can use an alternative source to oil. I am sure Mars has a lot of Oil. We need to learn how to tap into other planet resources. This technology is only a century away. Time flies and why not start now.

: Listen to Bush's upcoming state of the union address. Look and listen carefully. Is he avoiding detail, is he camaflouging his real agenda. Can he really make you believe that he will leave no child behind again, How many times can one nation be foolded. Think about all the bankrupt people sitting at home, those in debt, those without healthcare, and unable to afford education watching his speech. Their probably wondering how they could have been suckered into voting for this guy.They did not listen and we all know many of them voted for Bush in two thoudand four. OBAMA/.Hillary for president.
WHY CAN'T WE SEE THAT THE PeoPle Profiting from the war are haPPy with the status quo. WHo are these PeoPle,
Private Contrators who lobbied the RePublican adminstration
Cheney/ Halliburton who Provided billion dollar contracts to selected firms.
These caPitalists decided to unite and Profit in Iraq, Build a new economy in Iraq where the oil comPainies, caPitalists that suPPort the Bush Administration, War Profiteers and other Private comPanies could all make Billions at the tax Payers exPense. HERE"S THE proof, keep in mind this is just the tip ot the ice berg

Cheney's stock options which were worth $241,498 a year ago, are now valued at more than $8 million-- for an increase of 3,281% . Cheney has pledged to give the proceeds to charity. Cheney continues to receive a deferred salary from the Halliburton. He was paid $205,298 in 2001; $162,392 in 2002; $178,437 in 2003; and $194,852 in 2004.

Halliburton, has already raked in more than $10 billion for work in Iraq, and was handed some of the first Katrina contracts. The company has been criticized by auditors for its handling of no-bid contacts in Iraq, and there have been numerous allegations of over charging for services. Auditors found the firm marked up meal prices for troops and inflated gas prices in a deal with a Kuwaiti supplier. The company also built the American prison at Guantanamo Bay. "It is unseemly for the Vice President to continue to benefit from this company at the same time his Administration funnels billions of dollars to it. Lautenberg???
They even "pimped" our troops. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Do you think Bush and Cheney care that we are spending billions in IRAQ, NO. THis is why they hated the CLINTONS. THE CLINTON"S ACTUALLY USED TAX payer money to help the middle class and all AMERICANS.

Remember that Saudi Arabia also owns twelve per cent of the U.S economy. Their gigantic embassy beside Watergate says it all. The author makes an excellent argument that we are desperate for Saudi Oil.. The only way to counter this is to lower the demand on Saudi Oil. By consuming alternate sources of energy we might be able to put some pressure on the Saudi's. Unfortunately, this is not a short term solution, it is long term. Our economy depends on Saudi Oil, so there is no way we are going to decrease our demand unless we can use an alternative source to oil. I am sure Mars has a lot of Oil. We need to learn how to tap into other planet resources. This technology is only a century away. Time flies and why not start now.

You are painting a grim picture which is not true in particular with oil. Bush did not beg for more oil is Saudi. The US can get the oil from Iraq. What is the point of spending trillions of dollars for the war in Iraq and still not getting the oil there? Then the Bush administration must be very-very stupid. Complete morons!

The Radio Ad

I watched the Democratic debate in South Carolina the other night, and I must say that I am infuriated at Senator Clinton???s campaign, for taking Barack Obama???s words out of context, and airing them for her political gain. Although mudslinging has, and probably always will be a part of American politics, the Clinton campaign has absolutely taken this one too far.

I have been a Clinton supporter for 16 years, but I will not tolerate what I have seen with my own eyes, as a blatant manipulation of Senator Obama???s words. Her campaign ad was a bold-faced lie, based on a purposefully misplaced sound bite.

I thought I had found my vote in Mrs. Clinton, but I don???t want that type of unacceptable misrepresentation in the White House. Unless an acknowledgment of those deceptive tactics is owned, and openly apologized for, Senator Clinton has lost my vote.

We???ve had 8 years of that type of deceit, and it has taken its toll our country. America is in shambles because of this deceptive behavior. This is my America. I get to choose. And I don???t want this for my country anymore.

Mrs. Clinton should be ashamed of herself.

Lance Gayhart
Lexington, Kentucky

The Radio Ad

I watched the Democratic debate in South Carolina the other night, and I must say that I am infuriated at Senator Clinton???s campaign, for taking Barack Obama???s words out of context, and airing them for her political gain. Although mudslinging has, and probably always will be a part of American politics, the Clinton campaign has absolutely taken this one too far.

I have been a Clinton supporter for 16 years, but I will not tolerate what I have seen with my own eyes, as a blatant manipulation of Senator Obama???s words. Her campaign ad was a bold-faced lie, based on a purposefully misplaced sound bite.

I thought I had found my vote in Mrs. Clinton, but I don???t want that type of unacceptable misrepresentation in the White House. Unless an acknowledgment of those deceptive tactics is owned, and openly apologized for, Senator Clinton has lost my vote.

We???ve had 8 years of that type of deceit, and it has taken its toll our country. America is in shambles because of this deceptive behavior. This is my America. I get to choose. And I don???t want this for my country anymore.

Mrs. Clinton should be ashamed of herself.

Lance Gayhart
Lexington, Kentucky

What did you expect would result from a GOP President?

Since Canada is the largest exporter of Oil to the US, maybe next time a US president comes to Canada, they can help Stephen Harper (PM of Canada) kids with their homework. If the Saudis can make Bush wait then the least they can do for Harper is help his kids with their homework.