Our economic mess can't be traced back to the point you want it to be.

There are several key sources of the mess. The biggest issue was the rise of Credit Default Swaps. Casino Capitalism in general. Those mortgage problems wouldn't have been an issue without the 30-1, 40-1 and even greater leveraging by big firms like AIG, Countrywide, Bear Stearns, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, etc.

The Financial Elite created this mess.

Other factors:

Gutting Glass Steagull and most of the regulation created after the Great Depression.

Decades of Reaganomics from both parties, but chiefly from the GOP. Cutting corporate taxes to the bone, cutting taxes for the wealthy, which created massive debt. Cutting government investment in infrastructure and the future. Letting our infrastructure crumble, which hurts the economy.

Corporations putting profits above people and country, shipping millions of jobs overseas . . . that's another major factor.

Bush's insane invasion of Iraq. Another massive factor. Take that out of the picture and our economy would be fine right now.

Blaming poor people won't do. But it IS exactly what the financial elite WANT you to do. Talk about distraction!! Michael Jackson wasn't the distraction. It's right wing lemmings following the leader over the cliff, blaming poor people and minorities for the sins of the financial elite.

In short, we're in the mess we're in right now because too many people listened to the rich and powerful for too long. They screwed us and continue the process on a daily basis.

I think Sarah Palin is looking more towards having a FOX show more than running for President. Her party pretty much left her out in the cold when they lost. Not that she isn't still a republican, but I don't see her as wanting to hold public office anymore. That speculation seems to be coming more from pundits on political shows. I can't see the GOP backing her for President even if a lot of republicans stand beside her. I think they were surprised more than anyone by her popularity. Plus she would really have to hit the books and learn more about issues and policy. I don't know why all the reporters and pundits think this is some kind of campaign move.

Paris Hilton was a millionaire, celebrity and businesswoman before Harry S. Truman got a degree.

Harry S. Truman dropped two nuclear bombs on cities.

As of now, Paris Hilton has not dropped any nuclear bombs on cities.

I will take Paris Hilton over any U.S. President, living or dead. However, Albert Einstein, Bill Cosby, Martin Luther King, Buckminister Fuller and Muhammed Ali trump Paris Hilton.

Several years ago the few black defenders of the Republican party were known as Uncle Toms. For years i wondered how Ron Christie came to being the new Great White Hope .I knew he was a token black for Bush, however i recently found he has reached the pinnacle of tokenism as the boy of Cheney. I realize those Fools of Fox enjoy the no spin talking points of Uncle Ron. I have to laugh at the way he smiles before yelling and interupting,especially when his opposite number is making a point. This is an expedient for achieving a specific goal, that goal is to confuse and defuse fact with fiction. Please note every Re-Pub-tri-otic strategist excutes this approved plan of attack. No doubt the plan evolved from Fox and Fools, starting with Billo,catching on to the other fools.

Why the opposite number does not say "shut up and let me finish" instead of lolly gaging with "i didn't interupt you" or "please let me finish" Last, please insist that Pat Buchanan be refered to as "MSNBC Republican Analyst"

Has anyone got a picture of Joan Walsh's ass?

It's for a friend.

"For her sake, I sure hope Sarah Palin is closer to Paris Hilton than she is to Harry Truman, inasmuch as he's been dead for over 35 years.

Or are you suggesting that Ms Palin's... tendencies... are even more outré than the tabloid rumors have been hinting?"

No, I am not suggesting any untoward tabloid activities, I am suggesting that Sarah Palin has about as much substance as Paris Hilton and is famous for similar reasons, i.e. she is attractive, inarticulate and has a legion of followers for no discernible reason. Of course, the worst Paris Hilton can do is suck as an actress and take up tabloid space; Palin, by nature of her new and undeserved political clout, is capable of so much worse.

If trying to nip Palin's career in the bud is what it's all about, I'd suggest you're all going about it the wrong way. All the personal attacks on her and her family, the sexist jokes, and the hit pieces in the MSM and liberal press will just make her stronger among her conservative base. And it really hurts the "liberal brand" with many independent voters. If Obama cannot make major improvements in the economy by 2012 (it just may be beyond much quick repair!), I can easily see a scenario where Palin manages to be nominated by the Republicans (who else have they got?), and even elected if a strong anti-Democrat backlash develops (like we had an anti-Bush election the last time around).

I say leave her alone. She'll either improve herself to the point she won't be such a scary candidate, or (much more likely) she will fade away and eventually disappear, at least as a political candidate by the next election. Let her join Fox News, or whatever. But what's going on now just keeps her relevant, and may bring about the very thing that you want to prevent.

"Paris Hilton was a millionaire, celebrity and businesswoman before Harry S. Truman got a degree."

Paris Hilton was born a millionaire and celebrity ain't worth the nothing its printed on. And don't make me laugh with her being a business woman.

"Harry S. Truman dropped two nuclear bombs on cities."

Yep, he did. For my own selfish reasons, I'm glad he did, because I wouldn't be here if he hadn't.

"As of now, Paris Hilton has not dropped any nuclear bombs on cities."

I guess you never saw Pledge This or The Hottie & the Nottie. But seriously, folks, are you actually maintaining that Paris Hilton is someone to be admired? The woman is the shining beacon of ignorance as an asset.