So sorry, my dear, but you have revealed yourself as a fraud.

Your use of the term "pro-abortion" to describe yourself is what initially set off my bullshit detector, otherwise, I would never have noticed.

Even amongst the most ardent pro-choice crusaders, it's a rare, rare person who would describe themselves as being pro-abortion. You're obviously far too out of touch to even attempt such a masquerade.

Naturally, I then decided to investigate your letters history.

I don't know where the hell you think you are, but you ain't playing with the kids in the corner here.

I'm sure you have a story to tell- one that maybe some of us can learn something from, but if you want to make a point here, intellectual honesty will get you much further than just making shit up.

Sorry. I don't like that one bit.

The rest of you can now go and take a gander at some of what our friend wrote here. Hidden agenda, much?

---------------------------------

"I agree. This is a tricky question. I am pro abortion but I often wrestle with it. I’ve concluded that I have to admit I don’t know for sure how right or wrong this is. Who knows, maybe when I have kids I’ll wonder how I was ever (personally) pro abortion. While I do not beleive in telling other women what they can do with their bodies, I do respect women who are PERSONALLY pro life (meaning they do not agree with abortion but do not want to stop other women from having abortions.) Interestingly a woman who used to be pro abortion also changed her mind. (there is a link to her blog below) She has a child with Down syndrome and adopted 3 more also with Down syndrome. I humbly bow to her amazing ability to really “walk the walk” when it comes to her beliefs. She's the real deal.

This is her blog: http://mommylife.net/about.html

-- Christina Stroz"

Greetings from Upper Eastern Tennessee, and

Happy Birthday!

I love reading your words. Thanks. :)

errrggghhhh... Must. Resist.

"the fundamentals of money (particularly for the average person without any fancy investment vehicles) is called math and everyone learned the basics, or should have, by the time they reached puberty."

-----------------------

Exactly. This is what I am talking about.

Even though I am an engineer who uses advanced math every day to do my job, I am nonetheless astonished at the degree of innumeracy in our society.

People who have no idea how different one million, one billion and one trillion are from each other.

People that cannot do + - * / functions without a calculator.

People that do not know how to work with fractional and decimal numbers.

People that have no grasp whatsoever of simple linear algebra.

So it is clear we need to start there, before money is even discussed.

I am a product of the Kennedy Challenge. Did anyone ever think that putting a man on the moon would require anything less than a full-out push for improving education? I had outstanding (public school) teachers that were highly skilled and inspiring.

It was a wonderful time to be a young student.

Now, to be honest, my teachers wouldn't have been able to reach me as much if my parents weren't behind them 100%. The teachers were an extension of my parent's authority (they earned that honor), but that's a whole other discussion.

Unfortunately, the Kennedy Challenge had more to do with beating the Soviets than anything else, so as soon as the cold war ended, many of the "liberal" social priorities fell by the wayside. It was no longer necessary to counter Soviet anti-western propaganda by throwing a few meager bones to the great unwashed.

I hate to be so cynical, but it's crystal-clear to me that a dumbed-down, innumerate populace serves American capitalism beautifully. I wish it weren't so.

"Obama Hand Spins Cloth for Michelle to Sew

Does anyone think the Obama family isn't getting the same thing? How naive Salon is.

-- ideefixed"

Says you. If this is so, then produce some evidence or shut the fuck up.

I would be interested in the backgrounds of the people in these stories. How many are "low-information" consumers, versus those who were simply beset by a "perfect storm" of life circumstances? How many thought they could "beat the odds" and get something for nothing? How many were just mentally ill?

From what I have seen- as evidenced by a proliferation of Payday and Title Loan stores, check-cashing joints and pawnshops in my area (Upper Eastern TN) that the simple explanation is that too many people just don't understand how money works.

Once people start working and living as adults, it doesn't take long for financial ignorance and bad budgeting habits to completely overwhelm- especially in todays economy which is fueled largely by debt.

Debt doesn't equal wealth.

Yet, if you say exactly that to many of the folks around here, the best you'll get is a Scooby-Doo "Hunnnnnh??"

Now, I am about to commit a grave heresy here, against the engines of capitalism- but...

The best thing our new president can do (and only ONE candidate would even dare consider it) would be to launch a modern "Kennedy Challenge."

Instead of putting a man on the moon, how about making a real committment to teaching people how money works?

It's not just ignorant hillbillies, either. I have seen plenty of people who should have known better do really stupid things with their money. Everyone could benefit from such an education- except perhaps the Wall St. money movers who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of 21st century feudalism.

If nothing else, it will go a long way to shutting the smug, fat traps of the punditocracy who have been prattling on and on about 'personal responsibility.'