And yes, I too believe that sooner or later we will overcome our difficulties. I also believe that it would be very much to our advantage to have as an ally such a big dude as our Government. Because we don't really have other allies. Most of them are already in China or Brazil, and are not really interested in our prosperities for they are not "us" anymore.
BTW, do you know that majority (60%) of the SMB owners have under $250K earnings? Not to mention all write-offs they can use. That's where dollars should be spent, and where they would make the biggest splash on the buck.

Are you sure your are not a republican?
No, I'm not. Nor am I a Democrat. I'm categorically unaffiliated, and I feel free to go wherever my world vision will take me. For instance, I voted for Rep Presidents twice. After watching Reps and what they did to our Presidency and whole country during Clinton-Lewinsky ordeal I grew pretty disgusted with them. Seing the country flourish in 90's has also moved me closer to the left. And I was absolutely terrified and disgusted again with the following 8 years of Bush Jr. Moreover, in the past 2 years I saw nothing that would change my impression of the Reps as worthless demagogues and being totally uninterested in leading the country.

Alvin Greene - Democratic party nominee for US Senate from South Carolina.
Ha! There was a hypothesis circulated in the media about Alvin Greene being a Reps' "Trojan Horse" to spoil the Dems' chances. I don't believe it's true. More likely he's happened to be on the alphabetical list of candidates above Vic Rawl. But he has made a nice counter-balance to come of the most notable Tea Party candidates, hasn't he? At least he was not involved in the Black Magic, didn't argue with the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, and didn't call for armed takeover of our Government.

Sergej - totally agree with your sentiments on hypocrisy and demagoguery of conservatives. Especially social conservatives. Fiscal conservatism is healthy, the way it is NOT implemented - is the problem .....conservatives just give it lip service. Yes, Bush lowered taxes - and what happened to the economy?:-( . As far as small business - we just have to do what China CAN"T do. I know many of these businesses, we actually have one. And are not planning to outsource.

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Happy New Year to all! Virtual hugs!

Too bad this guy lost the election. I would love to see him representing democrats in senate
It's OK, the guy with similar political experience, or lack of it, represents the democrats in the White House

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Хочу лето (или нормальную зиму)

Fiscal conservatism is healthy, the way it is NOT implemented - is the problem .....conservatives just give it lip service. It is healthy, and we badly need it - after we get out of the crisis. Only fiscal conservativism is not represented by Reps at all. In fact, in 96, 2 years after last Reps' takeover of the Congress, they CALLED FOR HIGHER DEBT! And that's the same people, who now assault the Dems for the debts they made! Yes, Bush lowered taxes - and what happened to the economy? What a great economists! Just like leeches were the panacea from all illnesses in the past, so are tax cuts for all our economic troubles. They didn't work in 2007 or 2008. What do we do if they don't work now?
As far as small business - we just have to do what China CAN"T do. And what is that? Are they less educated? Or not as smart? Or lazy? The balance may start changing when Chinese or Indians or Mexican will catch up with us in the standards of living and pay levels.

Milton Friedman: Greed
I personally totally agree with Friedman. With only one reservation: there must be checks and balances in every system including capitalism. Otherwise what you call "capitalism" I call "oligarchy" not too different from its present Russian version.

... including Capitalism???
Give any example of the checks and balances in other "regimes".
I understand Stalin's checks... any others?

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Global Cooling for the next 30 years!!! - Does not expire!!!

Too bad this guy lost the election. I would love to see him representing democrats in senate
It's OK, the guy with similar political experience, or lack of it, represents the democrats in the White House
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where as, GW's extensive political experience, definitely proved to be of great value to him and to us.

Лина, Ваша ссылка логически некорректна. Если Буш даже и плох, то почему надо допускать (или приветствовать) некомпетентность Обамы? (Я, впрочем, не считаю Обаму некомпетентным, но это другой разговор).