You are 8 times more likely to get killed by a cop than a terrorist

No, america is just self-righteous.

 

Yes, we are. We can't take a simple recession without trying to stop some of the necessary pain. It's like avoiding chemo to die a painful death two months later instead.

 

I think some systems NEED to fail in order to succeed rather than just put a band-aid on.

 

There's a possibility, but there's a greater possibility of it evolving into something more serious if we don't let markets act the way they're supposed to.

 

5%/95%. What is being done by the Congress is not a stimulus program; it's a payoff to the base that elected them.

 

probably me.

liquid, low expenses, live cheaply but spend my money on frivolous good times. so not too invested in the system.

 

I believe that people that take the time and the effort to get elected to the Federal Government believe in the power of government. It's the old saw about if the only tool you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail. I think these people made promises to their base to bring them out and if they're going to spend money, it's better to spend it on your allies--especially if it grows your allies, i.e., labor unions--than your enemies.

As for short term vs. long term, I'd like to ask a question: do you have kids? Of course borrowing for today at the expense of tomorrow is going to help in the short term. In the medium term, we could be hurt by delaying what needs to occur on its own. In the long term, we know it would REALLY hurt. And I'm unwilling to make my life a bit more comfortable at the expense of my son.

 

Obviously, you've never lost someone close to you.

Mistrust of the government, fear, and our current looming financial depression, were all caused by the total lack of any effort by Bush/Cheney to bring the 911 terrorists to justice.

Instead they mounted a war for profit against a country with no connection to the terrorists, an actual sworn enemy of Al Quaida in fact, therefore becoming accomplices after the fact (if not before), and bankrupting our nation while destroying any semblance of it's former freedom.

"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02

 

I was speaking in terms on effect on the nation as a whole. One car accident or even 3000 has a much lower effect on the morale of the country versus a terrorist attack that destroys the twin towers.

Big, sensational deaths (terroist attacks, plane crashes, deaths in Hurriane Katrina, West Virginia shooting, Colombine) are often more sensationalized and people feel more compelled by them versus something that's not in front of their face.

 

Actually, didn't the markets crash due to 9/11. I remember seeing some BBC thing on this on how they were related....let me find

 

oh wait, it was how 9/11 created international billionaires

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009r2f3

 

95%

 

More than a middle eastern terrorist.