Just submitted this to the Kansas City Star as an application to be one of their Midwest Voices contributers:
As we wait impatiently for the start of our 44th President’s term America remains a divided nation. Some of the stark divisions defy logic and arise from beliefs so entrenched that I wonder if any consensus can be formed. Constructive debate occurs in the gray areas, and we seem to be a nation whose views are black and white.
As an example, gun owners continue to engage in an unprecedented, and given the Supreme Court ruling from last June, unwarranted buying spree. Some brief research into their internal debate reveals concern over a coming “gun grab”. The insiders say that such legislation will at a minimum mirror the assault weapon ban of 1993. How such a ban would be framed in light of the recent and unprecedented affirmation of the individual’s right to bear arms does not get discussed, nor apparently considered. Fear rules the day in such debates, and it seems, drives revenue.
This isn’t surprising given that our government spent much of the last seven years stoking our fear. We succumbed to the fear mongers and were manipulated to vote and act in ways that were often against our self-interest. The terrorists were lurking around every corner, gay marriage would tear the moral fabric of our society and our right to privacy provided a safe haven for those that would hurt us. The Bogey Man was under our collective bed and only a vote for the Right would protect us.
Fear’s reprise came in the Presidential Campaign when Governor Palin framed our President-Elect as someone unlike us, a terrorist sympathizer, a man with, God forbid, a Muslim name. And the fear mongering worked to some extent. Here in Missouri during the campaign’s final two weeks the McCain/Palin campaign unleashed a torrent of negative ads on radio and television, reversing Obama’s lead in the polls and ultimately winning the state. Senator McCain may owe his victory here to Joe the Plumber’s warning that Barrack Obama wanted to punish his success. Right.
And yet for many of us hope springs eternal. The President-Elect leads with a thoughtful and inclusive style. He continues to make excellent choices for the members of his team. Those choices even get a modicum of praise from the Right. In fact, by unveiling his choices for the Treasury Secretary and his financial team Mr. Obama reversed the fall of the stock markets and provided relief for retirement accounts across the country. It has been so long since we have seen leadership that many of us forgot what it looked like.
Yes, the world remains a complex and frightening place. Real threats to our nation and our globe exist and must be dealt with. Only by acting with intelligence and reason and remaining adaptable can we effectively manage our problems and defeat our enemies. Despite our tendency to see in black and white, the challenges we face are rendered in thousands of shades of gray. Mr. Obama seems to be a man possessing the exact skill set necessary to manage this future. One can only hope.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Adios Bradley
As the presidential campaign drew to a close my anxiety reached absurd levels. Although I recognized the futility of such angst I was powerless to stop it. I couldn't bring myself to write a post here either. It was as if I was certain that voicing my fears would make them real. I might have single handedly caused the much debated Bradley Effect to manifest.
It didn't help that over the last two weeks of the campaign Senator McCain inundated the Missouri airwaves with negative ads. On radio and television Joe the Plumber lamented Barack's plan to "punish his success" while the RNC ran ads warning that anyone making over $42,000 per year would face a sinister Obama tax increase. Worse, the attack WORKED. During the the ten days preceding the election Missouri turned from leaning blue to leaning red. A campaign of lies was reaching sympathetic ears. I was terrified. I wanted Barack to counter punch, to refute the lies to do SOMETHING. What I didn't know was that his campaign remained on track in the other battleground states, that his message had reached sympathetic ears, that he and his team knew he was winning.
And what a victory it was. For the third time this year I found myself standing in my living room listening to Barack speak. His ability to inspire forces me off the couch. Like so many Americans, tears filled my eyes as I watched the images of my fellow citizens celebrating, crying and laughing. Joy mixed with a smidge of disbelief filled our hearts. Somehow it was over, the Bush years really would come to an end.
And what of the Bradey Effect? Let there be no question that racism is alive and well in America, albeit in lesser form. A quick search of Youtube for a McCain or Palin rally will yield video footage of the worst of America, queued up, filled with hatred as they wait to see their candidates. Candidates that, incredibly, CHOSE to stoke the flames of the racist fire during the end game of their campaign. Candidates who, once again, played a game of division, hoping to turn us against each other. Thankfully, a majority of us were awake, were listening, were thinking, and cried out with our candidate: ENOUGH! And so, there was no Bradley Effect to be found; the final 7% margin of victory matched the Realclearpolitics average of the polls. Is it better that the residual racism in our country is now overt rather than covert? I don't know.
I do know that we need Senator McCain to go beyond his gracious concession speech and work to calm the hatred that his capaign provoked, and soon.
As we wait impatiently for new leadership in this country, the world waits with us. The outcry of support from our global brethren was heartwarming. It seems we haven't wasted all of our global political capital after all. Thank God. Tired of Bush bullying, the world waited and hoped for us to regain our sense of self. The world wants us to be who we say we are. They want us to live up to the idea of America, and to enact the many ideals that comprise our identity. Our brothers and sisters cry out for a true leader, just as we do. And God willing, we've got one.
The first days of Barack's stint as President-Elect yielded good signs. While Bush sat on his hands in the oval office Barack assembled a team of the country's best financial minds and began working on strategies to address our financial crisis. He called world leaders and talked to them about that same crisis. It appears he will govern in an inclusive, intelligent fashion. How long has it been since we've seen such a thing?
Of course the far right remains in a constant state of outrage. Rather than looking inward in self assessment they explode with anger. The coming months will provide insight into the direction that the Republican party will follow. I would suggest that they adopt the Libertarian Party, discard their "social conservative" wing and attempt to form a coherent center-based conservative platform. But where's the fun in that?
Finally, it seems the audacity of hope continues to live on post election. A close friend of mine had not been reached by Barack's message and didn't support either candidate for President. As he watched Barack assemble his financial dream team and give his first press conference, my friend grasped the dramatic improvement in leadership that we are seeing - even at this early stage. And hope began to creep in. "If he can be as good as he looks . . ." there was no need to complete the thought. For if President Obama really is that good then we may begin to live up to our own standards.
The audacity of hope indeed.
It didn't help that over the last two weeks of the campaign Senator McCain inundated the Missouri airwaves with negative ads. On radio and television Joe the Plumber lamented Barack's plan to "punish his success" while the RNC ran ads warning that anyone making over $42,000 per year would face a sinister Obama tax increase. Worse, the attack WORKED. During the the ten days preceding the election Missouri turned from leaning blue to leaning red. A campaign of lies was reaching sympathetic ears. I was terrified. I wanted Barack to counter punch, to refute the lies to do SOMETHING. What I didn't know was that his campaign remained on track in the other battleground states, that his message had reached sympathetic ears, that he and his team knew he was winning.
And what a victory it was. For the third time this year I found myself standing in my living room listening to Barack speak. His ability to inspire forces me off the couch. Like so many Americans, tears filled my eyes as I watched the images of my fellow citizens celebrating, crying and laughing. Joy mixed with a smidge of disbelief filled our hearts. Somehow it was over, the Bush years really would come to an end.
And what of the Bradey Effect? Let there be no question that racism is alive and well in America, albeit in lesser form. A quick search of Youtube for a McCain or Palin rally will yield video footage of the worst of America, queued up, filled with hatred as they wait to see their candidates. Candidates that, incredibly, CHOSE to stoke the flames of the racist fire during the end game of their campaign. Candidates who, once again, played a game of division, hoping to turn us against each other. Thankfully, a majority of us were awake, were listening, were thinking, and cried out with our candidate: ENOUGH! And so, there was no Bradley Effect to be found; the final 7% margin of victory matched the Realclearpolitics average of the polls. Is it better that the residual racism in our country is now overt rather than covert? I don't know.
I do know that we need Senator McCain to go beyond his gracious concession speech and work to calm the hatred that his capaign provoked, and soon.
As we wait impatiently for new leadership in this country, the world waits with us. The outcry of support from our global brethren was heartwarming. It seems we haven't wasted all of our global political capital after all. Thank God. Tired of Bush bullying, the world waited and hoped for us to regain our sense of self. The world wants us to be who we say we are. They want us to live up to the idea of America, and to enact the many ideals that comprise our identity. Our brothers and sisters cry out for a true leader, just as we do. And God willing, we've got one.
The first days of Barack's stint as President-Elect yielded good signs. While Bush sat on his hands in the oval office Barack assembled a team of the country's best financial minds and began working on strategies to address our financial crisis. He called world leaders and talked to them about that same crisis. It appears he will govern in an inclusive, intelligent fashion. How long has it been since we've seen such a thing?
Of course the far right remains in a constant state of outrage. Rather than looking inward in self assessment they explode with anger. The coming months will provide insight into the direction that the Republican party will follow. I would suggest that they adopt the Libertarian Party, discard their "social conservative" wing and attempt to form a coherent center-based conservative platform. But where's the fun in that?
Finally, it seems the audacity of hope continues to live on post election. A close friend of mine had not been reached by Barack's message and didn't support either candidate for President. As he watched Barack assemble his financial dream team and give his first press conference, my friend grasped the dramatic improvement in leadership that we are seeing - even at this early stage. And hope began to creep in. "If he can be as good as he looks . . ." there was no need to complete the thought. For if President Obama really is that good then we may begin to live up to our own standards.
The audacity of hope indeed.
Friday, October 17, 2008
The New Gipper
How many times during the debates did John McCain call Ronald Reagan his hero? The strategy was sound, if unsuccessful. Reagan represents the ultimate Republican ideal. The Gipper's memory evokes great pride for the faithful; they want to rename roads, airports, and buildings, put his picture on currency, build statues, and if possible, resurrect him. The father of Trickle Down, Reagan's ghost possesses immunity from historical fact. The right canonized him as the man that would NEVER raise taxes, even though he did.
Indeed, the real Reagan, after an initial massive tax cut, raised taxes four times between 1982 and 1984. He agreed to a $165 billion bailout of Social Security. The number of workers on the Federal payroll rose under Reagan, but fell dramatically under Clinton. To be sure, most of Reagan's ideology was the epitome of conservatism. However, the things he is most often lauded for accomplishing are myths.
So what was the real magic of Ronald Reagan? I assert that Reagan became such an iconic figure because he made people proud to be American. Somehow, he erased the stench of the post Vietnam era. He restored our national pride, our sense of worth, our identity. There lies the magic of Reagan, regardless of the myth.
I believe that we are close to electing another President capable of doing the exact same thing. Barack Obama can bear the mantle of Reagan's "great communicator" title. Despite the racist and divisive rhetoric of the McCain campaign, Barack's innate intelligence and eloquence combine in a speaking style that is both accessible and inspirational. We have the opportunity now, in the next few weeks, to elect a leader that can erase the stench of the Bush years, that can restore our national pride, our sense of worth, our identity.
One can only hope that we follow through, and prove ourselves worthy of redemption.
Indeed, the real Reagan, after an initial massive tax cut, raised taxes four times between 1982 and 1984. He agreed to a $165 billion bailout of Social Security. The number of workers on the Federal payroll rose under Reagan, but fell dramatically under Clinton. To be sure, most of Reagan's ideology was the epitome of conservatism. However, the things he is most often lauded for accomplishing are myths.
So what was the real magic of Ronald Reagan? I assert that Reagan became such an iconic figure because he made people proud to be American. Somehow, he erased the stench of the post Vietnam era. He restored our national pride, our sense of worth, our identity. There lies the magic of Reagan, regardless of the myth.
I believe that we are close to electing another President capable of doing the exact same thing. Barack Obama can bear the mantle of Reagan's "great communicator" title. Despite the racist and divisive rhetoric of the McCain campaign, Barack's innate intelligence and eloquence combine in a speaking style that is both accessible and inspirational. We have the opportunity now, in the next few weeks, to elect a leader that can erase the stench of the Bush years, that can restore our national pride, our sense of worth, our identity.
One can only hope that we follow through, and prove ourselves worthy of redemption.
McCain's Dangerous Game
I recently watched video footage of McCain supporters being interviewed while queued up to attend one of his appearances. Their actions and comments foretell of great danger for the future of this nation- danger that has it's genesis in McCain's campaign. Most of the citizens in line expressed their belief that Barack is either a Muslim or a terrorist. Worse, the seething anger underlying their opinions was evident. That anger has been and continues to be purposefully stoked by the McCain/Palin machine.
Barack confronted McCain with this during Wednesday's debate, noting that people yelled "kill him" at one of Sarah's "rallies" and were not admonished by the VP candidate. In fact, Sarah loves the way her angry mobs are "giving the energy right back to her". I pray that the energy doesn't get directed in other ways.
The lies that McCain and Sarah perpetuate continue the Bush legacy of campaigning and governing through fear. But now they have added anger, deep seething anger, anger that approaches rage, that is disproportionate when compared to the rhetoric that drives it.
But then, the anger is not really about Bill Ayers, or Acorn, or taxes. Not really.
Just admit it: the source of the anger is that a black man is likely to be the next President of the United States. Although the "Straight Talk Express" broke down long ago, I encourage all of the angry McCain supporters to "out" themselves. Just go ahead and call Barack an uppity nigger. It will make you feel better, and we all know that's what you really mean. The success of his campaign infuriates you. Just own up to it and vent some of that steam. Please.
Because if you don't, and if McCain doesn't have the balls to stop his campaign's divisive rhetoric (he doesn't), then what will happen if Barrack is elected? What response will come from those that can't stand the thought of having a black President? Those sad McCain supporters, having been whipped into a frenzy by Sarah and Fox News will feel what? Will do what? Everyone speaks of McCain's honor, so I pose this question to you John: What happens if your campaign stokes the anger and hatred to the point that one (or more) of your supporters tries to assassinate Barack? You and Sarah believe in guilt by association, so will you be guilty of that assassination John?
Be clear: if such a thing comes to pass it will tear this country apart. This country that you say you love, that your supporters laud you for defending, will be torn asunder. In that event John, you and Sarah will be guilty. Guilty as sin.
God forbid.
Barack confronted McCain with this during Wednesday's debate, noting that people yelled "kill him" at one of Sarah's "rallies" and were not admonished by the VP candidate. In fact, Sarah loves the way her angry mobs are "giving the energy right back to her". I pray that the energy doesn't get directed in other ways.
The lies that McCain and Sarah perpetuate continue the Bush legacy of campaigning and governing through fear. But now they have added anger, deep seething anger, anger that approaches rage, that is disproportionate when compared to the rhetoric that drives it.
But then, the anger is not really about Bill Ayers, or Acorn, or taxes. Not really.
Just admit it: the source of the anger is that a black man is likely to be the next President of the United States. Although the "Straight Talk Express" broke down long ago, I encourage all of the angry McCain supporters to "out" themselves. Just go ahead and call Barack an uppity nigger. It will make you feel better, and we all know that's what you really mean. The success of his campaign infuriates you. Just own up to it and vent some of that steam. Please.
Because if you don't, and if McCain doesn't have the balls to stop his campaign's divisive rhetoric (he doesn't), then what will happen if Barrack is elected? What response will come from those that can't stand the thought of having a black President? Those sad McCain supporters, having been whipped into a frenzy by Sarah and Fox News will feel what? Will do what? Everyone speaks of McCain's honor, so I pose this question to you John: What happens if your campaign stokes the anger and hatred to the point that one (or more) of your supporters tries to assassinate Barack? You and Sarah believe in guilt by association, so will you be guilty of that assassination John?
Be clear: if such a thing comes to pass it will tear this country apart. This country that you say you love, that your supporters laud you for defending, will be torn asunder. In that event John, you and Sarah will be guilty. Guilty as sin.
God forbid.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Oh Joe, she's just so gosh darn cute. Golly!
Just a short entry here. Was that Tina Fey debating Biden last night? No? Fooled me.
Sarah did as well as I think anyone could have expected. Then again, not throwing up all over the stage doesn't qualify as mastery of the process. She proved what I posted yesterday; she's a master of the verbose non-answer, even at one point admitting it during the debate (really Republicans, this is what you want?). While much of the media focuses on her success in achieving mediocrity, I'd prefer to look briefly at Biden's performance.
Given Joe's propensity to go off topic and be, well, less than concise, he faced his own set of hurdles last night. Lost in the Palin critiques is the fact that Biden was masterful; his tone was perfect, he demonstrated vastly superior knowledge of every topic while maintaining an aura of congeniality. And folks, that's the real story of this debate. Sarah's cute (who winks at the camera?) but cute won't save your IRA or get Bin Laden.
We need adaptable, intelligent leaders to face the challenges left to us by the Bush Boondoggle. There was only one of those on stage last night and his name wasn't Sarah.
I'll wait a few days before I post again in order to monitor the public response. In the meantime, pay attention.
Sarah did as well as I think anyone could have expected. Then again, not throwing up all over the stage doesn't qualify as mastery of the process. She proved what I posted yesterday; she's a master of the verbose non-answer, even at one point admitting it during the debate (really Republicans, this is what you want?). While much of the media focuses on her success in achieving mediocrity, I'd prefer to look briefly at Biden's performance.
Given Joe's propensity to go off topic and be, well, less than concise, he faced his own set of hurdles last night. Lost in the Palin critiques is the fact that Biden was masterful; his tone was perfect, he demonstrated vastly superior knowledge of every topic while maintaining an aura of congeniality. And folks, that's the real story of this debate. Sarah's cute (who winks at the camera?) but cute won't save your IRA or get Bin Laden.
We need adaptable, intelligent leaders to face the challenges left to us by the Bush Boondoggle. There was only one of those on stage last night and his name wasn't Sarah.
I'll wait a few days before I post again in order to monitor the public response. In the meantime, pay attention.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Well, as we brace for tonight's VP debate, I have to give McCain credit: He did better than I expected him to do last Friday. However, the distinctions between the candidates were stark which I doubt that he wanted. He did (as I predicted) try to use a soundbite line to define Barack. Sadly for John, trying to claim your opponent doesn't understand or is naive while said opponent is simultaneously in the process of demonstrating a deep and nuanced level of understanding might not be a great idea. McCain's best moment Friday was while he played the Bully, not allowing Barack to counter punch. At the same time I have to wonder what was up with his refusal to look at his opponent. I saw the Washington Post try to spin this as a "Alpha Dog" technique, but I'm not buying it. He looked weird, and to me afraid to look at Barack. I'm sure that wasn't it, but whatever he was up to it didn't work. The most encouraging thing from the debate has to be the response in the polls: Americans may indeed be awake.
Now, we must acknowledge a couple of facts: The right wing base will not move regardless of the outcome of these debates. Ditto for the left wing base. This game will be won in the middle. Thank God that the middle seems to be paying close attention. The title of this blog reflects my sincere hope that the boondoggle we have endured over the past eight years may provide the impetus that creates a new type of American electorate, one that investigates, listens, and yes, reasons. We may be seeing the infancy of a new age of reason.
Then again we may not. Tonight's debate will provide a test of this theory. If Sarah is seen as doing well just for showing up and not vomiting, then no, we're not on track. Late word today indicates that she will "go after" Biden. Better to be on the offensive I suppose, although her plan would seem to ignore the problem of the moderator, who if the first debate is an indicator will work hard to move the debate where she wants it to go. Biden must be concise and respectful this evening. No rambling answers Joe, no condescension, stick to the facts and smile. I read two articles yesterday suggesting that Sarah might be a formidable debater. The reasons? She is a master of the 60 second answer that doesn't say anything and is therefore difficult to refute. And, in three way debates she has a history of standing back and letting her opponents fight, selecting opportune moment to interject cute, biting remarks. I expect some of the cute and biting stuff tonight, but there will be no opportunity to stand back - nowhere to hide. I also expect the "middle" to see the cute and biting remarks as scripted; hope I'm right.
And what of the Great American Bailout? What will Sarah think? Her answer to Katie Couric was interesting, if empty. At least it provided some entertainment. Americans lost 1.2 TRILLION in equity after the vote on the $700 billion dollar package failed. Seems like a bargain to me.
I don't posses a deep understanding of economics on a national or global scale. However, I'm fairly certain that another Great Depression would be bad. Let's try to avoid that.
Now, we must acknowledge a couple of facts: The right wing base will not move regardless of the outcome of these debates. Ditto for the left wing base. This game will be won in the middle. Thank God that the middle seems to be paying close attention. The title of this blog reflects my sincere hope that the boondoggle we have endured over the past eight years may provide the impetus that creates a new type of American electorate, one that investigates, listens, and yes, reasons. We may be seeing the infancy of a new age of reason.
Then again we may not. Tonight's debate will provide a test of this theory. If Sarah is seen as doing well just for showing up and not vomiting, then no, we're not on track. Late word today indicates that she will "go after" Biden. Better to be on the offensive I suppose, although her plan would seem to ignore the problem of the moderator, who if the first debate is an indicator will work hard to move the debate where she wants it to go. Biden must be concise and respectful this evening. No rambling answers Joe, no condescension, stick to the facts and smile. I read two articles yesterday suggesting that Sarah might be a formidable debater. The reasons? She is a master of the 60 second answer that doesn't say anything and is therefore difficult to refute. And, in three way debates she has a history of standing back and letting her opponents fight, selecting opportune moment to interject cute, biting remarks. I expect some of the cute and biting stuff tonight, but there will be no opportunity to stand back - nowhere to hide. I also expect the "middle" to see the cute and biting remarks as scripted; hope I'm right.
And what of the Great American Bailout? What will Sarah think? Her answer to Katie Couric was interesting, if empty. At least it provided some entertainment. Americans lost 1.2 TRILLION in equity after the vote on the $700 billion dollar package failed. Seems like a bargain to me.
I don't posses a deep understanding of economics on a national or global scale. However, I'm fairly certain that another Great Depression would be bad. Let's try to avoid that.
Friday, September 26, 2008
To Bail, or not to Bail.
We had a cat fight at the White House yesterday. The Republicans turned on their own party, rallying around a rogue package - that had previously been killed by the White House. It appears that progress on the Paulson bailout package was proceeding albeit tortuously, when suddenly, the speeding John McCain arrived and threw it into turmoil. Very Presidential John.
And what a sense of urgency displayed by candidate McCain. He rushed to cancel his appearance with Letterman only to be interviewed later by Katie Couric, then spent the evening at a hotel, dawdling the next morning only to finally arrive in Washington in the afternoon. You suspended your campaign for this?
At least he's going to debate now, although I'm sure he didn't want to. Apparently his team's trial balloon about pushing back the debate so that it replaced the VP debate date didn't go over well. Too bad for them. I have a sense that Sarah is not coming up to speed as quickly as they hoped. The good news: She's got the Lipstick line down cold. And how about those photo ops at the UN? Now she has met some heads of state and she's clearly qualified to be commander in chief. Forget the lipstick and the pig; this is the emporer's new clothes. Maybe Olberman can start a "Days since nomination and still no press conference" count.
I must admit that I've been proud of Congress for pushing back at Bush and Paulson. Our financial system remains on life support and some sort of action must occur. However, the Bush/Paulson proposal was a classic Neocon power grab. This language was ballsy even for Bush : "Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are nonreviewable ... and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency." George must be tired of all those pesky Congressional hearings. I'm sure the Neocons were licking their lips at the prospect of "losing" a few more billion in the process. For once Congress got it right and added oversight provisions as well as protections for home owners. Of course that was before "McCain the Maverick" came to town and blew it up.
The good news for us: Congress consists of a bunch of rich people who can't afford to have our system implode. Something will get done. The bad news: we're paying for it.
Regardless, it's debate night. I'm predicting a major McCain stumble if not tonight then before the end of the debates. I'm sure he'll attempt a Regan-like line similar to the famous "I won't hold your age and lack of experience against you", but I doubt it will land. The great communicator he's not.
Grab the popcorn and pay attention.
And what a sense of urgency displayed by candidate McCain. He rushed to cancel his appearance with Letterman only to be interviewed later by Katie Couric, then spent the evening at a hotel, dawdling the next morning only to finally arrive in Washington in the afternoon. You suspended your campaign for this?
At least he's going to debate now, although I'm sure he didn't want to. Apparently his team's trial balloon about pushing back the debate so that it replaced the VP debate date didn't go over well. Too bad for them. I have a sense that Sarah is not coming up to speed as quickly as they hoped. The good news: She's got the Lipstick line down cold. And how about those photo ops at the UN? Now she has met some heads of state and she's clearly qualified to be commander in chief. Forget the lipstick and the pig; this is the emporer's new clothes. Maybe Olberman can start a "Days since nomination and still no press conference" count.
I must admit that I've been proud of Congress for pushing back at Bush and Paulson. Our financial system remains on life support and some sort of action must occur. However, the Bush/Paulson proposal was a classic Neocon power grab. This language was ballsy even for Bush : "Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are nonreviewable ... and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency." George must be tired of all those pesky Congressional hearings. I'm sure the Neocons were licking their lips at the prospect of "losing" a few more billion in the process. For once Congress got it right and added oversight provisions as well as protections for home owners. Of course that was before "McCain the Maverick" came to town and blew it up.
The good news for us: Congress consists of a bunch of rich people who can't afford to have our system implode. Something will get done. The bad news: we're paying for it.
Regardless, it's debate night. I'm predicting a major McCain stumble if not tonight then before the end of the debates. I'm sure he'll attempt a Regan-like line similar to the famous "I won't hold your age and lack of experience against you", but I doubt it will land. The great communicator he's not.
Grab the popcorn and pay attention.
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