Hank,

Your sarcasm points to human nature - for the majority - world-wide is to run from problems rather than solving them. Seriously, if we accidentally elected problem-solvers (in any of the nations) who then undertook the measures necessary to solve economic problems, they would be bounced out of office the next election. Much as we all want to blame someone, especially the political parties we disagree with philosophically, hardly anyone will vote against their pocketbook, near-term or long-term.

Sg

Salmo, I realize that. If that weren't the case, Sarkozy would still be president of France and there wouldn't be rioting and bank runs in Greece. Once you give something to people, it's nigh on impossible to take it back..even if it's necessary to save the country from fiscal ruin.

Maybe the answer is to make office terms a one time only thingy (for Dan's benefit as he likes that word ). Then at least, there wouldn't be any prepping for the "next term".....and there would be less time to get the corrupt old a-holes entrenched.

We're just reaping what we've sown for the last 50 years.

Apparently, it's become more important to know who Snookie is than who the Prime Minister of Britain is. Apparently, whether Clinton got a blowjob is more important that what the unemployment rate and GDP growth are. Apparently, whether or not George Bush actually served in the TANG 30 years ago is more important than whether we can afford to go to war in the middle east. Apparently, whether Obama is a Muslim is more important than the fact that we threw billions at the banks so they could continue on with business as usual per JPMC.

We're doomed by our own lack of attention and apathy. We care about things that don't matter and don't care about things that do.

I hope I'm wrong and we right the ship and get back to better times.

Truer words never spoken.

Scary. I find myself in agreement with Dan S.