Unrepresented Taxpayer (the other 5%)

Wall Street's Response to Obama's Economic Policy

Sounds like more Obamaspeak to me. Here's some news: fancy words do not equate to economic expertise. They are just a defense of unassociated spending on long-time favorite Dem programs. So you like transparency...so do I. But for another news flash: vague information and zero detail do not equate to transparency. By the way, where is the transparency in the White House taking over personal control of the 2010 census--sounds like foul play and lack of non-transparency exist already in the Messiah's administration.

What Will Happen If America Returns to an Historical Savings Rate?

I'm not worried. Everything we are going through now was entirely Bush's fault, or at least that is the common perception. Our incoming Messiah Barry O. has all the answers and he will make things right in a jiffy. The government will bail us out which means we will not have be accountable for our decisions and planning (or lack there of.)

Most of the people in this country cannot economically see past their noses and will jump on the nearest bandwagon that advertises prosperity. Who knows how the next 1 to 8 years will play out? But I do know we will keep "kicking the can down the road" unless our education system starts teaching a balanced view of economics and financial responsibility. The lack of economic and related scientific awareness, particularly in the 15-45 year old age groups, is appalling---and that will set our course long-term.

The media and government keep talking about our Saviors. But we should focus on is saving ourselves and stop looking for Sugar Daddys to cover for our ignorance and poor choices.

How Not to Bail Out Detroit

I became a Toyota owner 35 years about because the big 3 did not build the type and quality of vehicle I wanted. I've owned Toyota and now an Acura ever since because they had the features I wanted and I've kept them up to 165,000 miles without so much as a tune-up or any major work. In 1998 I bought an American SUV in hopes that things changed, but it was a major disappointing piece of junk.

As far as this consumer is concerned, the Big 3 have been on a party for the last 3-4 decades and have been unable to learn from their foreign competition. Even when their competitors build cars in this country they still can't see their flaws. They think the "Buy American" logo will save them with inferior products and lack of market foresight.

Companies like that fail in all industries. So now they have religion---I doubt it. But even if the Big 3 and UAW did see the error of their ways it may still be too late. Bailouts just throw good money after bad and don't cure the long growing cancer. Their only long-term chance is radical surgery and a total revision of most they have steadily held holy. Furthermore the market is over-sold and overwhelmed with to much vehicle manufacturing for too many products. Major shake out is due, and only the strong survive. Too bad the Big 3 and UAW didn't start worrying about that 10-20 years ago when they still had a chance to turn it all around.

Sorry folks, the party is over. I feel for the people who will get hurt and hope we can minimize their pain. But I fear their future was written many mistakes ago.

Will Obama's Economic Policies Drag the U.S. Down?

I totally agree with Mr. Jackson. Obama is choosing FDRs game plan and will have the same poor results. FDRs economics never took the country out of the depression. They just extended it until WW II took us into extreme austerity. Add to that another 2 terms under Truman for more of the same. If one checks the charts you will find that the Dow didn't return to it's 1929 peak until 1954 in Eisenhower's administration. That's what the investment community thought of the "New Deal." B.O. now promises more of the same. Hopefully we don't 30 years to correct our mistake this time. B.O. goes in 2012.

Detroit is Hemorrhaging

The Big 3 have worked their way into a dinosaur position over 40 years. They are about to go the way to the country's steel industry who also ignored realities over decades. Now the bill comes due and one or two of them will not survive intact. Who's to blame? Everyone in the loop---executives, marketers, unions, banks, and indulging government. Greed and excess abounded along with a false sense of invincibility.

So now where do they go? How about building a truly reliable product for the first time? How about paying more attention to function than frills? How about looking more than 3 years ahead? Toyota and Honda are the world auto leaders because they started answering those questions in the 1970s. I fear it may be too late for Detroit to get the message. Giving that industry handouts is throwing good money after bad.