Example 1: The Mortgage bubble. I blame BOTH the dumbasses who took on mortgages that they did not understand would balloon, and the Banks who allowed the dumbasses to sign up in the first place knowing full well that they would never be able to pay them. The banks then bundled good mortgages with toxic mortgages and sold them all off to mutual funds, and then bet against them. This had the effect of draining the value out of everyone’s retirement, crashing the economy, creating a glut in the real estate market, and gutting the construction industry in this country.

Example 2: Citizens United. In 2010 the Supreme court ruled that corporations, citizens and unions could donate UNLIMITED funds to get a political figure elected. This hobbles democracy in my opinion and opens it up to the POSSIBILITY of the tyranny of corporations over the average citizen. It is not difficult to imagine a scenario where a corporation buys an election for a candidate who essentially becomes an employee of that corporation.

Example 3: Oil Speculation. This is the reason you are paying $4 a gallon at the pump. It has nothing to do with supply and demand of oil. Crude oil is treated as a commodity and investors buy and sell it as they would a stock. The price is inflated because of these investors, and becomes a tax on everyone. This should not be allowed. It is a drain on our economy and on almost every citizen.

Example 4: Taxes/Federal Spending. While all of this is going on the Bush administration had the gall to LOWER taxes on the highest tax bracket. Taxes are as LOW as they have ever been for the same people who got rich tanking our economy. Basically the people who perpetrated our current shitty situation in examples 1 and 3, got rewarded for it with lower taxes. Unconscionable. Meanwhile we dig ourselves deeper and deeper in debt. This is money we gave away to the highest tax bracket which we could not afford to give away.

Again, Adam – I am not vilifying you – you are not a criminal. Im sure you got used to the Bush tax breaks and are merely saying WTF when someone suggests that they go back up again. This is understandable. It is human nature. I also agree with you that there are plenty of people who just want a handout, who are unwilling to bust their asses to get ahead. I agree with you, there are a lot of stupid entitled people in this country. I am not one of these people, I worked hard at a University and in my career to get to where I am. I am not looking for a handout. I am genuinely angry about Examples 1-4 above, and concerned for the future of our country.

And how about stroking Adam up with the oven reference and store referral? He clearly came loaded with those to try to buddy up to Adam and change his mind on Overnight.