Something that's really begun to disturb me during my fleeting quiet moments is how our democratic republic is fatally flawed. There is a bigger emphasis being placed on re-election (in the form of entitlements) as opposed to doing the "right" (i.e., tough love) thing.

Why is it that pretty much every other major car manufacturers have profitable factories in the states, except American automakers. And Congress has just agreed to lend them 50 billion. (Auto unions anyone?) Why is it that more money is being pumped into our failed public schools? (Teachers union anyone?) Why are we rewarding failure with increased subsidies?

And this most recent bank issue is another example. Government involvement encouraging sub-prime mortagages is just downright stupid. Let's help the poor (and minorities) by slipping a noose around their neck? Sorry--if minorities aren't well "represented" in your data, that's not discrimination--that's one of Enlow's laws.

And the dirty secret is that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 created the 'From mark to market' policy, which actually puts the government in a position to make a crap ton (dare I say, "windfall") off of this "bail-out". We're buying risk at a signfiicantly under-valued price--largely due to the media hype which those in the government are at least partiall to blame.

But this goes back to my original point. Assuming the government makes a crapton "windfall" off of this deal, it will likely go towards government expansion, as opposed to buying down our debt. Explansion to buy votes and stay in office, as opposed to doing the right thing--increasing our national security and securing our way of life for the future by living debt-free.

Sorry, nobody cares. I'm a politician, I'm in it for me, Screw the future. (So sayeth even the republicans who ran on term limits, and ultimately opposed them.)