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We are the only developed nation that does not have nationalized healthcare. What does that mean? I understand the argument that we have the best doctors, that foreigners come here, no excessive wait lines for procedures and operations, etc... But we also have to compete with foreign...

Actually the Board of Directors of a corp determine the salary, and too often they are in bed with the CEO at the expense of the TRUE owners - the shareholders. Barney Frank wanted to address that recently by introducing a bill that gave shareholders greater power over salaries. Don't know...

Live between a major river, the Ocean and a forest. Know how to hunt and fish. Have a boat and a car. Stay out of the cities. Heck, that's what I do now - not out of any "survivalist" planning, I just prefer to live where I do. If we have a great depression - I may have more time to do...

Wow....that simple sentence nails it. I would also like to add: Outsourcing has kept inflation in check (or masked) to a great extent for consumer goods. Whereas stocks and homes' valuations were extremely inflated with no income/earnings basis to support the valuations.

Do you have any idea how much government contributes to GDP? It's not so easy. What do we do with the resultant unemployment for those 6 months? All those government workers? Government contractors? They contribute to GDP in a significant way. That's a recipe for an instant Great...

I was in the mortgage business almost 9 years. The inner city programs that I saw basically lowered the rate. There were a few that had somewhat relaxed standards, but nothing like subprime loans and option arms. Those loans were created by the partnership of Wall Street and Mortgage Lenders...

How simplistic of you. Do you know who Roland Arnall was? He was the founder of Ameriquest that raised nearly 20 million for the repubs/Bush in 2004. He helped fund the swiftboat campaign smearing a vietnam vet - Kerry. In return, he successfully lobbied to have predatory lending laws...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote from Misthos: such a respected and accomplished businessman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, that was sarcasm... as in we should have seen this...

LOL Don't worry - the idiot in charge already crippled his party, the dollar, the military, and our country. Spread out the military too thin. Practically doubled the national debt - that which took two hundred some years to accumulate. Entered us in a war that was going to pay for...

If the candlemaking industry had the same power and clout 150 years ago, that the oil industry has today, we would still be reading by candlelight.

I'll maintain the "fire" metaphor/analogy and ask a simple question: Who sold gasoline to people known for playing with matches? Those same institutions also reaped enormous commisssions from those sales. Many subprime buyers had trouble with paying their cell phones and other bills -...

I agree - the market is inflated and artificially propped up. I am disgusted with the current situation. I was annoyed at myself for writing that above quote - but as critical of the fed and the entire system as I am - I can't think of any other alternatives/solutions. What do you suggest...

We all pay - just as we did and will continue to pay with the Bear Stearns orchestrated buyout. Unfortunately, in times of crisis - we will have to seek the solution that makes the most sense, not the solution that hinges on ideology. Let those houses go into foreclosure and the snowball...

Here's a rather unsettling fact - don't recall where I saw these numbers though: In the last few years 70% of GDP has been from Consumption 40% of that consumption was based on equity extraction. I think it's safe to say that 50% of that equity extraction is history - and that has got...

John (jficquette): My point is not about popularity, but results. The Republicans were/are not true conservatives - they indebted our nation unnecessarily - they need to clean their house. And I can care less about your characterization of past democrats - again, I have voted pretty evenly...

I'm an indpependent - that said - are you kidding me? GWB and the Republican Congress grew the government and debt greater than the days of LBJ. The greatest threat we have to our government is the special interest lobbies and corporate welfare. I'm voting Democrat this election...

Very interesting perspective. Though faulty in logistics. My fear is that if we continue to ignore the plight of the middle class, they will not move to Venezuela - which is logistically difficult, but they will move Venezuela here which is much easier to accomplish. When the economy is...

And if you don't like what's happening in the States, just get out of America and immigrate to another country ... like Canada or Mexico. Prediction: When taxes skyrocket on the wealthy and trading gets curtailed because of this financial mess, luckylee will be the loudest complainer and...

I think that the hyper critical people on this thread are the parasitic douchebags that Byrne is bringing to light. When a CEO involves himself in philanthropy, art, golf, playing bridge, etc.... we view that as typical CEO activity. But when a CEO starts pointing out how rotten our...

Are you kidding me? The Restaurant business is in a state of severe recession. Basic Food costs are soaring - it's killing margins, and just wait for the average consumer to cut back on going out to eat because of gas prices. It's all related and it doesn't look good. We are inflating...