simplesimon

Corruption in the Executive Branch?

Re: Chicago politics. "stumbling bumbling liars"...or" look you in the eye and lie with a serious and sincere look of -ahem-compassion for your best interest". I was one of the complainers early on asking, "Why is it we all think lawyers have cornered the market on gifted leadership, and genuine trustworthiness?" I think everyone has forgotten all the shocking lawyer jokes I used to hear almost constantly. I still urge any and all, if they would, please...to plea for a dramatic turn from lawlessness ( Brian Ross' comment that over 100 Ponzi schemes are under investigation ), and a dramatic turn from immorality ( refresh yourself...watch the Maury Povich show a few weeks, until that sinks in, people. ). Any theologue worthy of the name knows there are grave consequences to an entire society for losing its moral compass. Theologians are detested enough as it is, but honestly friends, there are grave consequences. Anyone noticed fires ravaging homes? Floods, Hurricanes? Tornadoes? Earthquakes?...how about a volcano on U.S. soil anyone? One blogger I mentioned this to back during the campaign, said "This is the 2oth century; morality is not important anymore"...to which I replied, "Isn't it sad when cousins marry?"


On Jun 22 10:33 AM fireball wrote:

> chicago politics, actually chicago has just been caught more often.
> a man that can look you in the eye and lie without flinching is destined
> for high political office.
> a phrase the media coined which caught on comes to mind. "character
> isn't an issue?" it has always been the number one issue for me.
> without good character there is no "hope" for honesty, duty, honor
> or integrity.
> as i watched obama stand and lie so smooth and with such an altruistic
> demeanor it was chilling. at least mccain was a stumbling bumbling
> lier. these two were the best our nation could offer? i guess they
> were the best at the slime of politics.

This Recession Will Be Neither Short Nor Shallow

So many realistic forecasts that are not encouraging-and they are realistic, I must say that. Yes "we" have had a long spending free for all...( not me, and probably not you - not if you're in that category significantly below $40K/yr, as a vast majority are. )The point made above that making life a little better for the so called underbelly - those with day jobs, and I don't mean those with corner offices-can turn things around nicely. I anticipate the usual 'honeymoon phase of the new presidency' may be that corner we are hoping for. At the same time, I don't think it is asking too much to require every single corp exec to master a course in ethics. Over building millions of over priced, super sized homes, at 'jumbo mortgages' was NOT altogether ethical - but having a great deal more to do with unmitigated avarice and arrogant -I'm better than you' consumption. My point being, if we owe for a $750K home, several new gas guzzlers, a mountain of consumer debt, (treating our homes as an ATM machine for equity withdrawal, damn the recession, full spend ahead)..then when things slump, as they always do...it could not be anything else other than a steep, and frightening fall. I point to this after watching the gal on Good Morning America give her "Recession Rescue" report, of how to find good buys in upscale clothing at 40% less...still squandering $1500 on trendy garments and designer boots! Here is a kid, obviously born after 1973, and who doesn't have the foggiest clue what a recession really is!
My point being we can all return to being 'normal'...that is, realize we're not impressing anyone with our $750K home brimming over with debt. WE can all just get real, get honest, get ethical, treat labor fairly...adjust if for inflation; it won't kill us-as the guy pointed out above...THAT is what will drive Wall st....working stiffs spending , but spending wisely. Bear in mind ( no pun intended), that the dollar, compared to 1965, when the minimum wage was $1.75 an hour...that the dollar is now worth one thin dime!...That means the minimum wage should be $17.50 an hour. Horrifying, you say. When really , it only means the 'dollar menu" at McDonald's, et. al...is totally unrealistic...their workers, part time, below subsistence, is the only reason they can offer food that dirt cheap...it's because the execs have no conscious, morals, or ethics...it's all about living in their $750 K homes, while the little grey haired lady serving burgers, can afford her medicine. When the CEO of McDonald's was asked about promoting his company in China with no human rights..he replied that commerce is his only concern. ...hmmm. I see.
Screw the old lady. Torture the dissident. What matters is profit, and a golden parachute for me the CEO. And we wonder why we're falling, falling, falling.