>>>>>That's under the assumption that throwing money at the problem wasn't a stupid idea in the first place, which was being shouted by most fiscal conservatives.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>From some things I've read, the bailout and initial stimulus may have very well saved the entire world from financial collapse.
>>>>
>>>>Some argue the prolonged recession is because the stimulus package didn't go far enough (the fiscal conservatives put a cap on it).
>>>>
>>>>For the sake of argument, maybe we would have been better of with no bailout and no stimulus.
>>>>
>>>>The point is, we'll never know.
>>>>
>>>>Like you though, I hate the massive debt we're piling up.
>>>
>>>If we're going to be a capitalistic society, we need unhindered capitalism or we're just playing a stupid charade.
>>
>>Mike, you're a smart guy, but do you truly not understand the downside of untrammeled capitalism? These guys, left unchecked, are no better than wild pigs. I am not saying let the government run everything. I never have. There just needs to be a counterbalance to greed. When they get so greedy they are willing to run us all off the cliff, yes, the government needs to intervene.
>
>Guess that's where our political ideologies differ.

Guess so.

Nothing personal. Sometimes you just disagree on principle with people you respect.

This morning I received an email from an old friend who is on a clandestine military operation in Afghanistan, hush hush. He was a college roommate and even then we were miles apart politically. You think you have views too far out there for me to handle, or John Harvey? Think of the most offensive, most politically incorrect words you can imagine and he uses all of them. Not even close. But he's still my friend and always will be.