The U.S. economy

[geerussell]

The more you know...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

The image above has been resized. Click on it to see the full version.

[Vinny]

So much win right there.....^^^

[mercury]

From the US treasury Dept... Any Questions?

[geerussell]

From the US treasury Dept... Any Questions?

I have a question. Is it important and if so, why?

[Vinny]

I agree that playing the "blame game" is silly but I think it's certainly relevant if we're trying to discuss ways to reduce the debt. If the debt is a major issue with voters it's important that they understand the causes of it.

[mercury]

Since this seems to be one of the Reps largest talking points... voting for a party with a worse track record loses credibility.

[geerussell]

I suggest that not only is the public debt blame game silly but to participate in it at any level buys into the republican narrative of "we have a public debt crisis and it must be addressed now." Once you get sucked into that framing, the idea that question of whether it constitutes a crisis and/or whether it is an imminent one gets skipped over.

[geerussell]

In case there was any doubt about whether the government was captive to finance:

All bank related federal prosecutions:

All federal prosecutions:


Or I guess you can read that as an ever more honest financial sector.

[geerussell]

[geerussell]

For a mere $850,000 the banking lobby will give you an arms-length heat-and-serve anti-OWS campaign including:

• Comprehensive media analysis of OWS and their leaders

• Records search and obtainable open records requests of leaders' histories including civil and criminal information, litigation history, tax liens, bankruptcies, judgements, and other associations

• Associated business and record search including Internal Revenue Service and Federal Election Commission filings, sanctions, regulatory actions, and litigation

I guess there really are advantages to having a leaderless movement, it's just a matter of time before they dig up some dirt on Shelby.