ferguson

The Bane of Broken Balance Sheets

David,

Great, but very discouraging summary. Question. Has all of this vast expansion of credit and investment bought nothing of value?

What about globalization? If living standards have been raised around the world, is it possible that our vastly expanded productive capacity will eventually find a use?

What about technology? Will the computer revolution, the internet and automated processes in manufacturing raise productivity standards to levels that will make it possible to absorb the losses?

What about the environment? Degredation of the environment probably continues, but at a slower pace and recognition of the need to reverse that trend grows daily. Is it possible that what we are seeing is a world-wide recognition that we need to ratchet down toward a sustainable world?

What about capital? Trillions of dollars have been lost around the world, a few of them mine. Is it possible that we might gradually come around to realize that some things are more important than capital?

Palin, On the Ongoing Financial Crisis

Sarah Palin should be congratulated for honestly representing the sum total of the GOP capacity to comprehend the issue and deal with it responsibly. I say, "more power to her," for bringing honesty to a GOP that, up to now, has been completely lacking in that respect. Hooray for Sarah!

Saving Fannie and Freddie

In light of the Bush administration record on foreign policy, the reasurrance that the government is only "war gaming" the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac situation "just as it does in foreign policy" is not the least bit reassuring. It is, in fact, frightening.