Really... Everyone needs to cut the crap about Socialism. In a free market economy, a lender has rights. A lender can demand certain terms from the borrower in order to make the loan. Since these borrowers were in extremis, the lender (the US Government) had the upper hand. If one of the terms means that certain compensation packages need to be kept just on the near side of ostentatious, so be it. When the institutions wean themselves off the government bottle, they'll be able to pay folks whatever they think they must. In the meantime, it's good public relations for banks working in a nation with 10% unemployment to submit publicly to some terms that make it look as if they had been taken to the woodshed.

Mr. Winant makes an interesting point about the Republican base contention that John McCain is not a conservative. Of course, it begs the question, "What have the Republicans to conserve?"

Really, this is much ado about almost nothing. Men and women either hit it off or they don't, and I don't think it has much to do with whether or not one hooks up right away or not.

The young lady is looking for love. She will either find it or not find it. Some guys are also looking for love as well as sex. They will either find it or not find it. There are no guarantees. I disagree with Cary and the young lady her behaviors inhibit her search.

I'd say that the first thing she needs to do is stop being so down on herself. She is not a slut. A negative self-image does a lot to inhibit success and avoid happiness. Get rid of it. Desperation in a potential partner is almost palpable. Get rid of it, too. Otherwise guys will fairly smell it and know that the girl is a prospect for a one-night-stand.

The funny thing about love is that it almost always happens when one is not looking for it. Accordingly, stop looking. Live your life and enjoy it. And maybe when you are out, stop drinking one or two drinks before the usual limit.

Good luck.

I tend to disagree with Mike Madden's point about the GOP and the race card. The House Republicans are a largely disgruntled and disaffected rump who can't get past the reality that they crashed and burned in the election of 2008. I think it's their resentment at their loss that prompts them to behave like animals, not racial hatred. The really sad story here is that there is a "base" of voters to whom Mr. Wilson's antics appeal. With any luck that base will be too small to overcome the general disgust he prompted in the rest of the electorate, whatever one's opinion of the President may be.

Really, Professor Reich, nobody has any shame where the almighty dollar is concerned. As an economist, you of all people should know that. Cheers, Ted Faraone