It's Time To Take On China Inc.

Here's a good piece from Salon.com about our need to
change the business relationship with China.

America is losing the trade war - War Room - Salon.com

The First Taste is Free...

There's been a lot of talk this year about the political
"elites" in both parties and how the "regular" folks in the Tea Party are challenging them and will shake up
Washington.

While I disagree with most of the opinions voiced by
the TP candidates, I do admire their passion and
believe most of them have a sincere desire to make the
country stronger.

My question is this...do we have an electoral system that
automatically corrupts everyone who enters into it?

It takes an staggering amount of money to stay in office
these days. Candidates need much more than they can
get from regular people. They can talk all they want
about not being connected to special interests but
EVERYBODY has to trade influence for cash if they
plan on running for more than one term.

Can the Tea Party candidates (or any other kind of
reformer) avoid this fall from innocence?

Which Party Represents the Middle Class?

Paul Krugman talking about why those politicians
defending the richest 2 percent
may make life a lot harder for the rest of us...

Op-Ed Columnist - The Tax-Cut Racket - NYTimes.com

Professor Fullofcrap

I guess Newt has decided his only chance to win in 2012
is to jump on the Tea Party bandwagon and start spreading
crazy Obama-hate theories...

Op-Ed Columnist - Who’s the Con Man? - NYTimes.com

Humanity Needs To Grow Up

Do I think the goofy looking pastor in Florida should
burn copies of the Koran?

No.

If I found out some guy in Pakistan burnt a pile
of Bibles today would I lose my mind and try to
burn down a mosque?

No.

Humanity needs to grow up. Too many of us are like
hypersensitive five-year old kids who fall apart
simply because somebody calls them a bad name.

Give and Take

Tom Friedman on American foreign involvement and the
new financial reality:

Op-Ed Columnist - Superbroke, Superfrugal, Superpower? - NYTimes.com

Quick Spins

The Arcade Fire: "The Suburbs" is a really strong
album. In fact, I will be very surprised if I
like another one better that's released this year.
Very anthemic like "Neon Bible" but now there
are some interesting softer moments and surprises.

The Kids Are All Right (soundtrack): Generally
speaking I only buy soundtracks of movies directed
by Cameron Crowe. But this (like the film) is a
winner. There's a great blend of new and old material
from artists like MGMT, David Bowie, Fever Ray, Joni
Mitchell, Deerhoof and many more.

Heart: "Red Velvet Car" has some nice cuts on it.
There are a couple of weak rockers but the rest of
the album is composed of really nice mellow stuff.
And Ann Wilson's voice continues to impress the
hell out of me.

Dancing With Your Dog

The guy in this video really needs to consider getting a
human girlfriend...

Dancing merengue dog. [VIDEO]

Boo Hoo For Big Business

Corporate executives have discovered that the recession is
a great excuse to work the life out of their remaining employees...

Corporate bosses are whining, even though they're reporting record profits. - By Daniel Gross - Slate Magazine