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An Open Letter to President Obama
Dear Mr.
President,
You don’t
know me, but I was one of the millions of Americans who voted for you in the
last election. I have since been fairly critical of your Presidency largely
because I, like many others, feel betrayed by the policies you have enacted
upon winning said election.
However,
rather than simply becoming yet another “I voted for Obama and regret it”
commentator who has a lot of complaints but no ideas, I thought it better to do
my duty as a citizen of this country and try to offer a solution to some of the
problems plaguing the US today.
The
following is a plan that I believe would bring about a significant change not
only in the US economy, but in the US mindset. The last 30+ years in this
country have been dominated by an overall regression in moral character and
beliefs.
Somehow, and
I’ll leave the “how” up to the historians, our nation’s moral framework seems
to have shifted from asking ourselves “is this right or wrong?” to “is this
legal or illegal?” Even worse, we now seem to be shifting from “is this legal
or illegal?” to “can I get away with this?”
This is most
obvious in the financial community where a small sliver of our citizenry
continues to make billions, if not trillions, of dollars, through ill-gotten
means. I won’t bother going into details here, because the “ill-gotten means”
have been well documented by others.
For now I
will simply state that it is absolutely OBVIOUS that the market is manipulated,
that insider trading and front-running of investor orders is permitted with
impunity, that Americans got a RAW deal on the bailouts (that’s putting it
mildly), and that the worst thing that happens to those who break the law in
the financial and large corporate sectors is a fine equal to maybe a few days’
worth of profits.
The fact
that this activity continues to be permitted and that those who engage in it
make salaries in the six if not seven or eight figures sends several very clear
signals to Americans, particularly those young ones looking to get ahead in
life. They are:
1) Those
who work for financial institutions and large corporations are above the law.
2) You
should try to make money by any means possible.
3) Look
out for yourself and forget about everyone else.
I ask you,
what do the above observations say about the American economy/ financial
system? Moreover, what kind of mentality are we fostering in our nation’s
character?
Here’s my
proposal to change all of this.
First of
all, I would create a new financial law in the US. It would be the following:
Any
financial gain reaped by insider trading, manipulation, fraud, stealing, etc.
would result in 100% of the gains generated by the action being confiscated by
the Government and the company that committed the action being fined an amount
equal to 10% of its (the company’s) net value.
Today, the
most common punishment for financial or corporate entities that break the law
is a small fine. A perfect example of this is the recent Goldman Sachs lawsuit
in which the firm paid a $550 million settlement on a deal that helped the firm
generate billions in profit. To put this in perspective, Goldman generates $500
million in profits in about a week of trading.
These fines
accomplish little if anything. They are akin to fining someone $5 for running a
stop sign. If that was the worst punishment for running a stop sign, no one
would bother following motor traffic laws at all. So why do we impose similarly
modest sums on those organizations that generate billions of dollars? It’s not
like they DON’T have the money handy to pay off a sizable fine.
A fine of
this size (10% of market capitalization or total assets, or Enterprise Value or
whatever) as well as confiscating 100% of the ill-gotten gains, would act as a MAJOR DETERRANT to corporate
and financial crime. It would, in plain terms, clean up Big Business’s
(well, every business’s) act in no time.
So how do you go about enforcing this
new law?
I
propose the creation of a government agency titled The Bureau for Corporate and Financial Integrity or some such
thing. This agency would be a kind of Department of Homeland Security devoted
solely towards insuring that the money made in the financial and corporate
sectors, is made honestly.
I realize
that we already have several financial regulatory bodies in the US. However, it
is clear from the ongoing fraud, corruption, and theft occurring today that
these organizations are overwhelmed.
On top of
this, the markets and economy today are very, VERY different from those that
existed at the time most of these organizations were created. Changing markets
call for changing mentalities and attitudes. Which is why I propose the
creation of a new organization rather than simply reshuffling the ones already
in place (this organization could work with the pre-existing ones too).
By creating
a new organization you would create new jobs. More importantly, these would be
permanent jobs rather than temporary jobs such as those created by the census
and other temporary programs.
However,
rather than simply offering the usual cushy public position consisting of a
very stable salary and benefits, I would suggest you offer the employees at
this new organization the following deal:
The
employees involved in bringing about a case to fine a corporate entity take
home 1% of the money brought in from the settlement should the case win.
I can tell
you Mr. President, there are MILLIONS of smart, intensely analytical young
Americans who would jump at the chance to stop corporate crime if you offered
this type of compensation package.
For
instance, the guys who took on Goldman Sachs in this recent case would receive
$5.5 million to split up among them. That kind of pay is handsome in any jobs
market… but in one as tough as today’s? Let’s
just say you’d be overwhelmed with applications.
But what
about the rest of the money and the money confiscated (the money the company made via fraud or some other
financial crime)?
I propose
that you use it to:
1)
PAY
OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT
2)
Fund
various public programs (NEW ones, NOT old ones that don’t work)
Doing #1 would send a clear message that
America is an honest, financially prudent country. Rather than lecturing other
countries about finance when we ourselves are running a deficit and debt level
that would take a private organization bankrupt, we would LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
This would
also STRENGTHEN the US Dollar. I know many folks in the various economic
bureaus and our central bank don’t like the idea of a strong Dollar… but I can
assure you that the 300+ million rest of us WOULD LIKE IT VERY MUCH.
Regarding #2, by using the money
fined/confiscated from organizations that break the law, you would find a
large, ample supply of money to fund various governmental programs, which in
turn would allow you to CUT TAXES.
After all,
if the government didn’t have to rely on taxes to fund its programs and budget,
it could lower taxes for its citizenry.
This would not only GUARANTEE you a 2012
re-election win, but would jump start the economy as it would mean MORE money
available for private sector spending and consumption (particularly with a
stronger Dollar) as WELL AS THE PAYING OFF CONSUMER DEBT (mortgages, credit
cards, etc).
Obviously,
there are a lot of details that would need to be worked out in my plan. But its
results would be TREMENDOUS. Among other things, it would do the following:
1) Rein
in the corruption and fraud that is polluting our capital markets and economy
(not to mention our national character on the world stage).
2) Re-instill
a notion of “right and wrong” to our nation’s public conscience.
3) Create
new, potentially high paying jobs for our best and brightest.
4) Teach
Americans, particularly the young, that you don’t need to break the law to get
ahead in life, that you can do right by doing the right thing.
5) Help
with our debt and deficit issues while sending a strong message to the world
that the US doesn’t just talk about prudence and solvency, IT LEADS BY EXAMPLE
(this would also impact our national character as it would re-instill the old
virtue of living a debt free life).
6) Strengthen
the US Dollar.
7) Help
jumpstart the economy by lowering taxes which would permit consumers to pay off
their debts, and spend more if they chose.
8)
And
of course, JUMP START YOUR APPROVAL RATINGS LEADING TO A GUARANTEED 2012 WIN (I
know you’ve got to consider your political career in your policy-making).
I do not
view this plan as a “fix all” remedy to our nation’s ills. The US economy and
political/ financial systems are in dire straits and there are some issues
which will simply require us to “take the medicine” if we do the right thing.
However, I strongly believe this plan would
be the first step towards shifting our country’s course from one of corruption,
greed, immorality, and lawlessness, to one of honesty, integrity, transparency,
financial prudence AND solvency.
In plain
terms, it would re-instill notions of doing the right thing and of making an
honest living. It would also re-instill our confidence as a nation as we become
proud members of a country that is financially prudent, virtuous, and which
leads by example.
I realize there is a small portion of our
population that would STRONGLY oppose this plan. However, I can assure you that
the vast majority of Americans (99% of us) would be ALL FOR IT. If you put this
matter to a public vote, it would likely be the BIGGEST VICTORY IN US HISTORY.
And, finally, I can guarantee you that
introducing this plan would immediately JUMP START your approval ratings AND
almost certainly guarantee you of a 2012 victory (I know this matters to you).
If anything it would be a great start towards a new future in this country, one
of strong national, corporate, and individual moral character.
Yours Respectfully,
Graham Summers
PS. For more scathing critiques of the socio-political structures in this country as well as hard-hitting investment insights revealing the real reasons the market moves as it does, join me atwww.gainspainscapital.com
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Ok it's a cute thought and your heart is clearly in the right place but have you thought this through? Give the money to the government? First of all the government is full of slimey politicians that are just as crooked and corrupt as the Wall st.guys if not MORE SO. Plus many of the economic and finance posts in the government are headed by EX WALL ST GUYS! Hank Paulson anyone???!?!?
Your idea about letting the investigators keep 1% is even worse. Are you aware how incompetent and stupid the average government worker even if they're not also corrupt? Have you ever been audited by the clowns at the IRS? They already try to put your balls in a meat grinder for no valid reason as a routine matter of business. Could you imagine what kind of crooked stuff they would do if they knew they were going to take home 1%?
As I said your heart is in the right place but in terms of practicality you are way out in left field. This is a bad joke.
"Your letter may have more adhesive power if it were reorganized and aimed at the general population."
Or on a bumper sticker. I threw out an idea today regarding a simple message to the people - on a bumper sticker. If you are interested you can find my posts (multiple) in today's reading.
btw - one of the best parts of ZH is coming across threads like this one. Relatively quiet and reasonable discussion. Some great comedy too. (sarcasm off)
Edit: Scratch last paragraph- I wrote that at about the half way point in the thread. Still good stuff.
What a litany of bullshit.
So, which moronic messiah are you pathetic, fucktard, party-centric morons, going to vote in to save your ass next time round?
So the big Oh is not living up to your fucked up dreams of salvation? Fucking butt fucking buffoons on both sides of the house.
Your idea of the role of government is no less than; "Save me oh wise ones, I need your unending help to get me through life". Fucktards. You were all there at the acceptance speech, you with wet panties and mesmeric smiles, beaming with hope, tattooed all over your faces.
There stood the Messiah on stage (behind bullet proof glass), the second coming, with you bowing and scraping and wiping your tears of joy. You were all there, hoping.
Now,... "Ah Shit", you are saying, "I've been gypped!" What? Again?
Well GOOLLYEE SERGEANT! How many times are you going to have that 12' dildo rammed up your collective butts before you are not surprised by the assault?!
What's that old saw about repeating the same folly and expecting a different result?
Sigh.
FfffuuuuuuuuuuckK!
Spare us, it was entirely clear what Obama was long before his election. He had the most liberal voting record in the Senate. He was a top recipient of campaign cash from Wall Street. He was all for TARP. He articulated the meek, appeasing, apologetic foreign policy his administration is now pursuing. He said he would regulate the economy to death. He said taxes were going through the roof.
A community organizer, a senator for a couple months, and a law school lecturer. Yea, that's sure to make for a good leader. Do us all a favor and don't vote next time. Leave it to those of us that have a clue.
Public reply from Obama
"Dear Graham
Fuck you, you dumb suckah.
Sincerely yours
Barack"
More laws and regulation lead to less morality and decency.
Gubmint is a cancer. It grows like a tumor to destroy its host - us. It is time for heavy chemo.
The solution is to enforce existing laws, not to add more. I'm sure disgorgement of ill gotten gains is a remedy already available. Making yet another regulatory agency run by a Jewish former goldman employee that will be corrupted before the paint dries is a hopelessly naive idea.
You should have supported Dr. Ron Paul you stupid fook.
Well, I guess we sure told him!
Bad choice of echo chamber, dude.
All this is a good idea(s). But, most of the laws are already on the books. They are not enforced. Sorta like only Congress has the power to make war...
These are the laws that are currently being ignored, courtesy Chris Story of World Reports who has lately been silenced for reasons unknown:
THE FOLLOWING DATA HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AT THE FOOT
OF MOST OF THESE REPORTS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS++:
• COMPILED BY U.S. SECURITIES EXPERT MICHAEL C. COTTRELL, B.A., M.S..
LIST OF U.S. STATUTES, SECURITIES REGULATIONS AND LEGAL PRINCIPLES OF WHICH THE CRIMINALISTS AND ALL THE MAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REMAIN IN BREACH:
LEGAL TUTORIAL: The Steps of Common Fraud:
Step 1: Fraud in the Inducement: “… is intended to and which does cause one to execute an instrument, or make an agreement… The misrepresentation involved does not mislead one as the paper he signs but rather misleads as to the true facts of a situation, and the false impression it causes is a basis of a decision to sign or render a judgment”.
Source: Steven H. Gifis, ‘Law Dictionary’, 5th Edition, Hauppauge:
Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2003, s.v.: ‘Fraud’.
Step 2: Fraud in Fact by Deceit (Obfuscation and Denial) and Theft:
• “ACTUAL FRAUD. Deceit. Concealing something or making a false representation with an evil intent [scanter] when it causes injury to another…”. Source: Steven H. Gifis, ‘Law Dictionary’, 5th Edition, Happauge: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2003, s.v.: ‘Fraud’.
• “THE TORT OF FRAUDULENT DECEIT… The elements of actionable deceit are: A false representation of a material fact made with knowledge of its falsity, or recklessly, or without reasonable grounds for believing its truth, and with intent to induce reliance thereon, on which plaintiff justifiably relies on his injury…”. Source: Steven H. Gifis, ‘Law Dictionary’, 5th Edition, Happauge: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 2003, s.v.: ‘Deceit’.
Step 3: Theft by Deception and Fraudulent Conveyance:
THEFT BY DECEPTION:
• “FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT… The hiding or suppression of a material fact or circumstance which the party is legally or morally bound to disclose…”.
• “The test of whether failure to disclose material facts constitutes fraud is the existence of a duty, legal or equitable, arising from the relation of the parties: failure to disclose a material fact with intent to mislead or defraud under such circumstances being equivalent to an actual ‘fraudulent concealment’…”.
• To suspend running of limitations, it means the employment of artifice, planned to prevent inquiry or escape investigation and mislead or hinder acquirement of information disclosing a right of action, and acts relied on must be of an affirmative character and fraudulent…”.
Source: Black, Henry Campbell, M.A., 'Black’s Law Dictionary’, Revised 4th Edition, St Paul: West Publishing Company, 1968, s.v. ‘Fraudulent Concealment’.
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE:
• “FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE… A conveyance or transfer of property, the object of which is to defraud a creditor, or hinder or delay him, or to put such property beyond his reach…”.
• “Conveyance made with intent to avoid some duty or debt due by or incumbent or person (entity) making transfer…”.
Source: Black, Henry Campbell, M.A., ‘Black’s Law Dictionary', Revised 4th Edition, St Paul: West Publishing Company, 1968, s.v. ‘Fraudulent Conveyance’.
U.S. SECURITIES REGULATIONS OF WHICH INSTITUTIONS
HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE IN BREACH [SEE REPORTS]:
• NASD Rule 3120, et al.
• NASD Rule 2330, et al
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and 3040
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and IM-2110-1
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and SEC Rule 15c3-1
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and 3110
• SEC Rules 17a-3 and 17a-4
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and Procedural Rule 8210
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and 2330 and IM-2330
• NASD Conduct Rules 2110 and IM-2110-5
• NASD Systems and Programme Rules 6950 through 6957
• 97-13 Bank Secrecy Act, Recordkeeping Rule for funds transfers and transmittals of funds, et al.
U.S. LAWS ROUTINELY BREACHED BY THE CRIMINAL OPERATIVES AND INSTITUTIONS:
• Annunzio-Wylie Anti-Money Laundering Act
• Anti-Drug Abuse Act
• Applicable international money laundering restrictions
• Bank Secrecy Act
• Crimes, General Provisions, Accessory After the Fact [Title 18, USC]
• Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act
• Economic Espionage Act
• Hobbs Act
• Imparting or Conveying False Information [Title 18, USC]
• Maloney Act
• Misprision of Felony [Title 18, USC] (1)
• Money-Laundering Control Act
• Money-Laundering Suppression Act
• Organized Crime Control Act of 1970
• Perpetration of repeated egregious felonies by State and Federal public employees and their Departments and agencies, which are co-responsible with the said employees for ONGOING illegal and criminal actions, to sustain fraudulent operations and crimes in order to cover up criminalist activities and High Crimes and Misdemeanours by present and former holders of high office under the United States
• Provisions pertaining to private business transactions being protected under both private and criminal penalties [H.R. 3723]
• Provisions prohibiting the bribing of foreign officials [F.I.S.A.]
• Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act [R.I.C.O.]
• Securities Act 1933
• Securities Act 1934
• Terrorism Prevention Act
• Treason legislation, especially in time of war.
you are so fuck*** stupid
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/warning/view/
where is your money??
how safe are you???
First time commenter...
I am a bit disturbed by the vitriol. I hate Obama as much as anyone today, of course, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I voted for him. Living in a state where my vote was of zero consequence, I realize now that I definitely should've voted for Barr or Paul, but the Republican party offering was a recipe for instant global armageddon, and I'm not in the mood for WWIII.
Yes, I was chumped again by the two-party system. It will never happen again. There is far more for all of us to gain by avoiding the kind of hateful rhetoric that's so prominently displayed here. There are plenty of brain-dead Democrats who voted Obama and are assholes. There are ALSO plenty of brain-dead Republicans who voted McCain and are assholes.
What seems more important to me is that we tone down the anger and hostility, because things are getting uglier by the day, and unless you really want to spend your future hunting your neighbors for food, you're going to want friends and allies, not enemies.
The last thing anyone needs is your excuse for hating people.
can't we all just get along? Of course we can, as long as I submit completely to the opposite ideology (say, Pelosi's et al, banksters et al, eletists et al). Then there can be peace. No, at some point, a fight is not only necessary, it's THE solution. I'm ready, are you?
Enjoy your feeling of being "chumped", revel in it -- but LEARN FROM IT!
You got 2 junks (so far) for stating the obvious. Not one of them was mine. It is apparent that not going all frothy at the mouth and vitriolic in an anti-Obama rant will get ya junked. Not fair since your comment is pretty spot on.
I don't mind a few junks.
But I really DO hate Obama. :)
Unfortunately, I don't think Barr or Paul could possibly have gotten elected.
I'm pretty sure there's no political solution at this point--partisanship has become more attractive than thought for too many people.
Hey, Blunder Dawg! Take a quick look at my comment above about how far off the cliff people have fallen on the Obama freak-out. Criticizing Obama is like shooting fish in a barrel, he's an easy target. We should be gunnin' for the people who put him in the barrel.
makes you wonder who is junking this stuff. Another point of view I guess, but...
Your rant isn't useful. With funds, you can learn to play their game. Every stock is controlled by hedgefunds/marketmakers. I'm learning their system of taking it down and bringing it back up. It's every man for himself. The elites hijacked the market for themselves. Up 10% in 3 weeks while redemptions $10 bil by Joe Public. I took profits today, you must take profits regularily, no sellstops, they take them out at the open.
Get a system, focus only on 5 stocks, study the hourly charts, think CUT-THROAT. That's all it is, America-survive by being cut-throat. It ain't going to change. 66 US dead in Afgan in one month, no draft, youth apathey abounds, because they're using 120,000 private soldiers which is unconstitutional and nobody cares.
BARACK THE PLUMBER
http://williambanzai7.blogspot.com/2010/07/leak-ender.html
"The Bureau for Corporate and Financial Intergity"? and exactly how long would it take this new watchdog bureau to become completely corrupted by lobbyists and special interest money?
He lost me when he led the letter off with voting for obumblefuck. what a loser capital firm his must be.
as a country we deserve the 4 years of hell we brought on ourselves.
maybe this clown can go on the view and discuss this concept with the einsteins that "interviewed" our leader
Obama is a wholly owned subsidiary like the rest of the Congress.
Are the Obama's invited to Chesea's wedding??
Dear Mr. President,
You fucked me. You fucked us all. You have fucked up.
You should cross post this at Daily Kos.
You might be surprised, but this would be very well received by a large part of that community.
S Graham is a total douche, like the man he is verbally felating.
Do you really think he would care even if he got your letter shoved down his throat ?
U can whine all u want but he is just a 'car salesman' acting as President on behalf of the people really in Power
I vote straight Democrat. As long as they keep supporting Unions and taxing the rich to give to the poor, I'll continue to vote for them. Every now and then Democrats have to do the rich man's bidding in order to raise campaign cash but that's the price you have to pay in order to help ordinary Americans. If President Obama can push back against the right wing loonies and secure another term, tax rates can be raised to 90% for those making over 250K and inheritances can be taxed away over 1M. This will go a long way toward restoring equality.
Do us all a favor - stop voting here and emigrate to Western Europe. They have the lovely wealth redistribution you swoon over - and heck, some of those countries still make things people want to buy. You and your fellow beer-hall buddies can masturbate about screwing "the rich" all the live-long and you don't have to worry about such things as upward mobility - because you'll have none. Which seems like a perfectly awesome life for a union hack.
So please, go in Peace. Go with God. But by all means, go. Now.
Why do all you right wing loonies hate equality?
Since when was Karl Marx an "agent provacateur"?
Augghh! Internet/website latency bit me! (duplicate)
The "Equality" that Socialist/Progressives usually end up giving everyone is "Equal" squalor and misery -- look to the former Democratic Republic (East) Germany for your so-called egalitarian paradise. I'll take a meritocracy any day!
I love diversity. You're a complete idiot. We are not equals.
+1
Because the only things where people are equal is in their God given rights. Not in their incomes or net worths like you seem to espouse.
dj
+100
How egalitarian -- give to the poor, LOL -- are you that oblivious? The Unions tax you, give your money to the democrat politicians, who then do the bidding of the rich. You and your union buddies drive up prices until the whole thing fails, and then you want a bailout to save those Amuricun jobs. Maybe you should request they install a Vaseline dispenser at the union hall, for the next go-round.
"The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples money" Margaret Thatcher
Please take your Marxist crap to another country Obama admires, Cuba, Venezuela, China, I'm sure you'll find happiness there.
Take your racist rant to Arizona. What part of Hope and Change don't you get. Obama is bringing social justice to ordinary Americans.
ROTFLMAO
That public education hasn't helped you much!
Yeah... great idea. Your last name wouldn't be either Marx or Engels, would it?
Moron.
Refreshing honesty how you want to (continue to) get something for nothing. We're freaking doo... uh, saved!!!
You are recommending that the dog bite the hand of his master while being given a bone. Obummer is not going to do a thing that is not commanded by his benefactors. FOGETIT! Impeach to reach and teach a leech. Arrest the criminals and use asset forfeiture due to fraud to return to their victims that which has been procured by devious, illegal means.
"mr. president" is a computer generated mind-controlled zombie, bought and paid for by a satanic cabal of elitist oligarchs and sold to an illiterate dumbed down terminal generation of sterile narcissists singularly and obsessively concentrating on the acquisition and consumption of a bewildering array of useless, offensive and toxic commodities. "mr. president" happens to be one of these commodities, the product of an award winning billion dollar plus add campaign, orchestrated by subliminal madison avenue media manipulation, and beamed into every home via Big Brother's cyclopean television eye, the hypnotic ELF pulsations of which has been entraining brain waves with hypnotic suggestion for decades. Bathed in cathode rays inducing beta-state semi-consciousness, the inert, vacuous and disengaged targets are inculcated with various programs designed to heighten suggestibility and virtually eliminate conscious cognitive function and of course critical understanding. Chaotic and chronic dissociative states leading to the breakdown of individual personality are afflicting mass segments of the population. "mr. president" is but the most egregious projection of this national psychosis.
I'm getting almost jealous, another rant that beats mine!
+ 100
I think I get the drift of the comments. Obama bad. Got it.
Now what? We just can't stop there. Some constructive ideas other than the limp crap that is laid out in the article above? We have some really smart folks here, but the focus has been an anti-Obama rant. I really expected better. We have to get over this MSM generated bias and refocus.
God how I long for the days when I too was a dewy-eyed optimist.
Phoenix Capital Research:
Sucker. Hope your capital research is better than your candidate research. The data was all there.
I stopped reading attentively after the proposal of a new agency.
Sorry Graham, gaming the system will not be stopped by a new agency, instead it's just one more thing to get gamed.
You cannot fix a system dying of complexity (because complexity is what makes it easier to be gamed inconspicuously, for certain people), by adding another twist or detail!
Leave Graham alone!!
He obviously hasn't figured out yet that Washington, DC is just the mail room for GS, JPM, BP, Monsanto et al.
And apparently none of you eloquent ZHers who are "criticizing" those of us who voted for Obama have figured it out either.
Are you actually suggesting that things would have been materially different if Grandpa and Barbie had been elected?