(sorry for the late responses, couldn’t be here for when this was live)

“Sex and corrupt politics in DC is nothing new. For example, during the Civil War there were 450 brothels in the capital. Part of the mythology of Washington, however, is what might be called the Jim Lehrer Illusion, which is to say that all people in DC do is sit around and rationally debate policy alternatives. In fact, Washington politics is also heavily driven by cowardice, bribery, blackmail, deceit, fear, loyalty to old buddies and even older bodies, cooptation, sex, and just plain crime. Journalists who pretend otherwise either don’t understand what is going on or are covering for someone.

The public often misunderstands the importance of Washington scandals, assuming them to be a simple dalliance, individual failing, or private offense. What makes both sex and crime in DC different, at least when those in power are involved, is that there is far more opportunity for blackmail and far more skill at covering things up.

The blackmail may be used by members of one branch of government against those of another, by lobbyists against members of Congress, by the police against whomever they wish, and by foreign powers. For example, one way to keep a congress member bought is for a lobbyist to provide him with high class prostitutes. And it is noteworthy that both the Israelis and Boris Yeltsin apparently knew about Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky before the American public did.”

As for stress tests, they are a sham. We have known since August 9, 2007 when the housing bubble burst that the banks were insolvent. That was 18 months ago, and the answer of our elites to this is to remain in denial about it. What Geithner is talking about is making the Titanic seaworthy again after it broke in two and is sitting on the ocean floor. Good luck with that.

Well, our principle (snort!) ‘manufacturing’ capacity (given ‘off-shoring’ and the ‘new’ economy) does appear to be centered around war material …

Which suggests a certain ’symmetry’ in recognizing and ‘investing’ in same.

As to whether it is a wise, long-term investment ’strategy’ for the little people remains, obviously, ‘debatable’.

As to whether such ‘policy’, as the larger national ‘direction’, is proof against future ‘riskiness’ or massive ‘disappointment’ (what other ’serious’ consequence could befall God’s Chosen People?), only time (and the consciences (?) of ‘Those Who Must Be Obeyed’) will tell.

Personally, my ‘investments’ such as they are, are in people, the environment and the audacious hope that we shall muddle through sufficiently well to actually have a future for my children.

I know, that is selfish in the extreme.

So, may I claim to be an honest victim of Human Nature and leave it at that?

;~D

abdicating is not the best approach

Agreed

In the Great Depression the country suffered years of hand wringing and ineffective policy before it elected FDR, who was willing to do what it took and had a Congress in which both parties were begging him to do so. I hope we aren’t going to have to wait that long this time for those in power to take the bull by the horns and start putting the country and ordinary citizens first.

So then, would that make Obama Hoover?

And if Obama is Hoover, who will the next FDR be?

Joe the Plumber?…

Admittedly it’s hard to invest ethically, but it can be done and abdicating is not the best approach.