Ron Williams Phones It In

This could be a continuing series, I'm thinking. Today, Williams tells us what we already know, that Joe Biden is well within his rights to run for both his VP…

Tales of the Economic Fallout

Earlier in the week, Duffy asked to be pointed to some writing that might be in favor of or justify the current bailouts. I haven’t read anything other than fairly glib variations on the “too big to fail” theme, but here is some reading (and listening) of how we got here and some thinking that I had not heard previously:

The NYT Freakonomics blog has a very cogent history of recent events.

Wednesday, Fresh Air had a long interview with Michael Greenberger who explains in clear and riveting detail the shadow economy that is being protected by the current actions of the Fed. Do yourself a favor and listen to all 40, 45 minutes of this. (You can get this as a podcast from iTunes, too, for the next week or 10 days) I highly recommend this — Greenberger is not all that pessimistic about the economy, but he is critical of the management and policies that got us here. You may or may not agree with his diagnosis, but his description of the current state of the board is completely vital.

Bailout Nation — The Power Grab

Unstable Isotope pointed us to this draft of the bailout legislation earlier today. Look closely (highlighting mine):

(b) Necessary Actions.–The Secretary is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the authorities in this Act, including, without limitation:

(1) appointing such employees as may be required to carry out the authorities in this Act and defining their duties;

(2) entering into contracts, including contracts for services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to any other provision of law regarding public contracts;

(3) designating financial institutions as financial agents of the Government, and they shall perform all such reasonable duties related to this Act as financial agents of the Government as may be required of them;

(4) establishing vehicles that are authorized, subject to supervision by the Secretary, to purchase mortgage-related assets and issue obligations; and

(5) issuing such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to define terms or carry out the authorities of this Act.

Camp Obama Comes to Delaware

I was talking to a NJ Dem Party official a few weeks ago and she told me that the recent one of these held in NJ drew more than 200 people from all over South Jersey. And that this event was not only inspiring, but damned fun. I’m posting the entire invitation below the jump, but this is really an incredible opportunity to get some of the best organizing training in the business — training that would be useful for all of us looking to get more involved in working for more and better Democrats at the local level. And it is just fantastic that this opportunity is coming to Delaware.

Leadership

Obama is talking about addressing the issues (with his financial team in attendance) and urging some bipartisanship, while McCain is whining and contributing to his epic flail. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmfeesYmx1Y&eurl=http://www.jedreport.com/[/youtube] This is…

Bailout Nation, Part What?

I'm losing track now. GM wants in on the action now. This is a company that can't sell cars that consumers want, has leadership that thinks Climate Change is a…

The

I'm just posting this entry from Barry Ritholtz at The Big Picture in its entirety, because it is that good. From Mr. Ritholtz: "I am having a hard time keeping…

The Legacy of Conservatism

This is not funny. Pressure is building on the pristine "AAA" rating of the United States after a federal bailout of American International Group Inc, the chairman of Standard &…

McCain’s Royalty Thinks His Voters Are Rednecks

Here ye! Here ye!  McCain surrogate, Her Royal Highness Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, is speaking: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti60li-FwdQ[/youtube] There you have it. Speaking for normal (non-redneck) Americans everywhere, I'm feeling better…