"America is you and me. We will overcome."

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Can you imagine a world without the United States in it?

The latest headlines would have you believe that we are moments away from such an eventuality. But while history has taught us that all empires must end, America shall continue to endure far longer than the nay sayers would have us believe.

There is no question that as a nation we must make massive changes in order to right our economic ship. Our national debt is ridiculously high ... our government spends more money than it takes in ... and our financial regulation enforcement is a joke. (More regulation, by the way, is not the answer; more and better enforcement of existing rules is.)

In 1999, for example, a concerned Wall Street insider sent the SEC a 19 page document that explained in clear, easily understood English the exact nature of the alleged fraud being perpetrated by Bernard Madoff.

Point by point he laid out how Madoff had to be lying. All the SEC had to do was match the trade tickets with the reported counter parties and they would have busted this fraud wide open. I'd like to believe that they weren't paid off ... but if corruption wasn't at the root of this evil, then the only other explanation left is utter incompetence. The idea of a corrupt agency would sit better with me than a toothless, incompetent one.

Barack Obama promised change, and now it's rubber meets the road time. The SEC essentially needs to be deep sixed, and the government has to start over again. In the months ahead, the U.S. Government will enact the largest stimulus package in American history (and hopefully they'll earmark some of that money to funding greater enforcement efforts).

Some clear winners from all of this government largess will be the green technology sector, infrastructure, heavy equipment and education companies.

That leads us to the question of who is going to pay for all of this lavish spending?

The rest of the world will, that's who. They will buy up our bonds with an almost religious fervor.

Why?

Because the fastest way to get their economies to turn is to help turn ours first. The U.S. is the engine of global economic growth. It won't always be that way ... Asia's catching up and the Europeans will finally get their act together at some point and start acting in a more collective fashion. But for right now, in the world we live in today, our economy drives the world economy.

Where do you think China, Japan and the Arab world's foreign reserves came from? From me, from you, from all of our massive buying habits. That's where all of that global wealth came from. Our buying habits paid for China's shiny new roads, our buying habits paid for Dubai's gleaming new towers, and our buying habits have given Japan the world's second largest GNP.

Our buying habits, not theirs. They have nothing, they build nothing, they sell nothing without OUR demand.

We are the most efficient and hardest working group of people in the developed world. Our collective earnings power is truly magnificent. Our limitless belief in ourselves and in a brighter tomorrow is our greatest economic weapon.

Let me be clear, we've gorged ourselves on a horn of plenty that was fueled by easy credit and massive financial leverage, and now we have to pay the price. That means 2009 will be a very tough year. Unemployment will rise, crime will increase and many more families will lose their homes.

In short, we will experience the hardest recession we've seen since the 1930's. I don't see government intervention reaching consumers fast enough to stave off severe pain in the so called "real" economy.

But let's not confuse a broken leg with a broken neck. And that's what I see happening: I see so many people jumping on the "America is finished" bandwagon that it makes me sick. America is you and me ... it's not some abstract idea. And so long as there are people like you and me that refuse to embrace this media-fueled dark and dim view of America's future, we will overcome.

We may be battered, we may be bruised, but we will never be beaten.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/114041-ame...e-end-of-an-era

[Danno 1,228]

When you see see consistent decline in so many areas, one can only pretend for so long.

Even as our Gov't has plunged it's self into record debt with spending and with promises of future spending.... the American people, are demanding even more programs and politicians are delivering.

On the bright side; even after the propellers stop working, a big ship will coast for awhile.

Enjoy it while you can.

[bhajishah 4]

E Plurbius Unim brother

[peejay 327]

E Plurbius Unim brother

Didn't you get the memo? Out of many one has been replaced with one becomes many. Diversity, baby, diversity. Press one for English.

[NickD 203]

E Plurbius Unim brother

Heard an economist state, we spend 10% more for a military budget than all the major super powers in the world combined, even including some of the lesser powers. He listed out all the countries, I didn't write it down, but it was a long list of countries.

We have become the police of the world and I believe that is self proclaimed. Also seem to have more people in prisons per capita, and have capitol punishment. Have guys in our state that want 9,000 more prison beds, we already have over 30,000, prisoners get a bed? What about the millions becoming homeless due to lack of jobs that are going overseas? And if they will swipe a loaf of bread, would also find themselves in prison, but at least a way to get a nice warm bed.

[Yoink 7]

Lets go through a decade of isolationism except in the international trade market... see if the world goes to #### and how many countries come begging at our door to re-enter international politics

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Thing is that irresponsible military action (especially if it fails in Iraq - and the country undergoes a similar sort of revolution to that which took place in Iran) pushes people towards isolationism.

The reality is though that the US has too much at stake to go down that route.

[Danno 1,228]

E Plurbius Unim brother

Heard an economist state, we spend 10% more for a military budget than all the major super powers in the world combined, even including some of the lesser powers. He listed out all the countries, I didn't write it down, but it was a long list of countries.

We have become the police of the world and I believe that is self proclaimed. Also seem to have more people in prisons per capita, and have capitol punishment. Have guys in our state that want 9,000 more prison beds, we already have over 30,000, prisoners get a bed? What about the millions becoming homeless due to lack of jobs that are going overseas? And if they will swipe a loaf of bread, would also find themselves in prison, but at least a way to get a nice warm bed.

My friend you are way out of touch with the Criminal Justice system if you think stealing a loaf of bread will land you a jail sentence.

IN most cases stealing a car won't do it (at least on your first or second offense).

As my wife would say; WAKE UP!

[alienlovechild 75]

Heard an economist state, we spend 10% more for a military budget than all the major super powers in the world combined, even including some of the lesser powers. He listed out all the countries, I didn't write it down, but it was a long list of countries.

Pretty much blows away the argument that wars are fought to make money. Even in peacetime, the U.S. defense budget dwarfs all others.

We have become the police of the world and I believe that is self proclaimed. Also seem to have more people in prisons per capita, and have capitol punishment. Have guys in our state that want 9,000 more prison beds, we already have over 30,000, prisoners get a bed? What about the millions becoming homeless due to lack of jobs that are going overseas? And if they will swipe a loaf of bread, would also find themselves in prison, but at least a way to get a nice warm bed.

"Capitol" punishment is what DC does the American people. It's "capital punishment". If you'd like to release a few thousand convicts, the best place to parole them would be in your neighborhood for starters. I'd still like to see some real reform in the penal system with legalizing marijuana, carrying out death sentences, anything proven to reduce crime in the first place. Having so many guys behind bars is huge waste of human potential but I'm not for just flinging open the prison doors.

[NickD 203]

E Plurbius Unim brother

Heard an economist state, we spend 10% more for a military budget than all the major super powers in the world combined, even including some of the lesser powers. He listed out all the countries, I didn't write it down, but it was a long list of countries.

We have become the police of the world and I believe that is self proclaimed. Also seem to have more people in prisons per capita, and have capitol punishment. Have guys in our state that want 9,000 more prison beds, we already have over 30,000, prisoners get a bed? What about the millions becoming homeless due to lack of jobs that are going overseas? And if they will swipe a loaf of bread, would also find themselves in prison, but at least a way to get a nice warm bed.

My friend you are way out of touch with the Criminal Justice system if you think stealing a loaf of bread will land you a jail sentence.

IN most cases stealing a car won't do it (at least on your first or second offense).

As my wife would say; WAKE UP!

Perhaps an over exaggeration, but people around here are getting kicked out of their homes for the inability to pay their property taxes, and you don't screw around with the IRS either.

But the title of this thread is "America is you and me. We will overcome." So what can we do besides a major revolt, we are a republic and elect officials once every 2,4, or 6 years, hope they are honest and looking after our interests, if drafted, show up, and pay all of your taxes. Can write to your congressman, even the president, but might as well address your letter to Santa Clause.

That major revolt is looking more and more attractive each day.

Regarding our justice system, living in a smaller town gives a clearer picture. Anyone in that system has to be a certified attorney licensed in their state. The ones that run for DA or judge are the ones that are not doing very well in private practice, would be a major cut in pay. The reason they are not doing very well in private practice is because they are dumb, and some are quite mean. Yeah, I have seen kids tossed in jail for stealing a candy bar, even if was just for a few hours or overnight. You wake up.

[SpiritAlight 1]

If USians start by insisting their government

stop the spending of trillions of dollars

to "policing the world", and turn that money inward

or simply just stopped that spending...well, like I've said before:

That would be a great start!

Could it be that simple?

Yes.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Can you imagine a world without the United States in it?

[alienlovechild 75]

USians

Who are they?

[mawilson 2,133]

USians

Who are they?

Asians who can't spell?

Can you imagine a world without the United States in it?

And I can imagine a United States without the world around it.

The US is big enough to be self-sufficient.

[SpiritAlight 1]

USians = people from the U.S.

"Americans" is a misnomer.

So there.

Ha!

The US is big enough to be self-sufficient.

Yes, and girth isn't everything.

Hahahaha!