Obama is #1. a person who has learned how to feed the public what they want to hear.

#2. His being the first black candidate for President is no reason to put him office, yet it will swing a lot of votes.

#3. If you truly think he will change things quickly or even at all, then do one thing.
Write down EVERY PROMISE this man makes and see just how many he actually accomplishes if he gets into office.

He is a very accomplished speaker and has the ability to suck folks in with his retoric.

McCain, will make promises and many he will not be able to keep, but he is a true american who was in a horrific situation and came through it with VALOR.
NOT ONE PERSON has questioned his ordeal or his strength while captured in Vietnam..
This is a man who admits his mistakes and owns up to them publicly asking no quarter.

This is a leader who will make tough decisions and will stand behind his decisions with out being wishy washy when questioned by the press or public.

You young folks can't remember Vietnam, but those who served remember.
It was a hell hole and the government of the US and the general public of the US gave the veterans NOTHING upon their return.
The vets have had to fight for everything they should have gotten for just serving.

Help begins at home, and that doesn't mean by leaders we voted in who's first concern is greasing their own palms so when push come to shove they will survive while letting the rest of us fall.

It is a shame to bail out the crooks and corporate leaders who have robbed from the very folks who work for them, buy their products, or elect them into office.
It is time the public quit asking for and giving handouts.
If your a good farrier, you survive. If your not a good farrier or businessman or horseman you fail and disapear.
SO SHOULD IT BE FOR CORPORATIONS AND POLITICIANS.

my 2 cents worth

Hey there,
I really feel for you guys over in the US. Our (western economic) system is flawed to say the least and is finally failing - who knows where this will end?!

Coming from the mindset of 'a days labour for a days pay' it is soooo hard to see why these a - holes should get bailed out when they have never gotten dirt under their manicured nails and have been paid like kings to do us all over for so long. I really hope that this economic nightmare is the great leveller that we need.

I assume it is the same in your country that the farmers - the very people who feed us and should be exalted for their efforts - have been paid peanuts, with no respect, for years and forced to sell out to corporates. Farriers are just another step down that line. I hope I live to see the day when these fine occupations are respected once again (and paid accordingly:p) and financial controllers - and politicians - are put in their place. Good luck with it all.

Our government promises $700+ billion of money they do not have to help out failing financial institutions and....

....todays market is down another 600+ points.

Sooooo.... here comes the lone ranger to the rescue.

"If you scour the history books, (the steps taken or being considered) are the only policy options of last resort, said David Mackie, head of Western European economic research at JPMorgan. It's not entirely obvious that these measures are turning the tide, Mackie said. At the end of the day, if you socialize enough of the financial system, it has to work."

Make no mistake. This is not ineptitude. This is incredibly well planned strategy that you're seeing unfold.

My cynicism has yet to keep up with today’s reality!

Cheers,
Mark