Bush economy surging ahead

And you folks keep smiling and laughing, while big business gets richer and richer and the poor get poorer.

To put it simply, I believe that the American system has evolved into a situation where the Corporation, ie Big Business, is given preferential treatment over the rest of society in nearly every instance, while enjoying bascially the same rights as other sectors of society.

This is a bad thing, for a Corporation basically acts as a 'person' but with no moral boundaries other than to make money. Greed is the bottom line, especially in our trading environment.

Big business invites policies that are actually destructive to our country, through a political manipulation of regulation and Trade policy in order to provide the cheapest product possible to the consumer, maximizing profits at the expense of our Trade Defecit and Environment. Due Dilligence laws mean the CEO's can't even make responsible choices if they want to; they would be lynched and brought to trial for failure to do their job, ie, provide maximum ROI for investors.

I know that I've said this to ya before, Thomas, but you really don't understand how bad things have gotten here in America over the last twenty or so years;

Preferential treatment such as ...? I am not aware of any preferential treatment a for-profit corporation gets that a non-profit corporation is not getting.

I think this is where we have a fundamental mismatch. I believe free trade is a good thing, and that the Chinese don't deserve the abuse Congress Democrats give them just for offering bargains to American consumers. This could be a long disagreement.

It is always tempting to explain political disagreements by presuming that the other side doesn't get it. It helps to remember that it's usually both sides of the disagreement who make the presumption, but at least one of them is always wrong.

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Preferential treatment such as ...? I am not aware of any preferential treatment a for-profit corporation gets that a non-profit corporation is not getting.

Not preferential over non-profit corporations; preferential over citizens. The corporation is treated far better than citizens are treated here in America while enjoying most of the same rights.

I look at our trade deficit and say, no matter what the mindset or beliefs that brought about this defecit, the fact is that it exists, and that's not a good thing. It will have to be addressed soon, one way or the other.

I don't presume to be more knowledgable than you on this or any subject, Thomas; I'm not suggesting that you don't 'get it,' but that you may not be aware of the extent to which certain trends have moved over the last five years here in America. I believe the last 5 years have seen a terrible shift in our national priorties, at least those displayed by the ruling party. And the majority of finanical data out there supports my belief.

Corporations have a right to hold and bear arms? They have the same freedom of contract as individuals? The same right to free speech as individuals? They can marry and divorce each other? The thirteenth amendment protects them against being owned by citizens, or by other corporations? The Eighth amendment protects them against cruel and unusual punishment? They have a right to vote? That's new to me. Alternatively, perhaps we have a different understanding of the phrase "most of the same rights".

Corporations have a right to hold and bear arms?

They have the same freedom of contract as individuals?

The same right to free speech as individuals?

They can marry and divorce each other?

The thirteenth amendment protects them against being owned by citizens, or by other corporations?

The Eighth amendment protects them against cruel and unusual punishment?

They have a right to vote? That's new to me.

Alternatively, perhaps we have a different understanding of the phrase "most of the same rights".

What I wanted to add was GW's tax plan does feul this fire somewhat for the "chosen few" who reap the benefits. Capital Gains taxes are reduced under his plan making cashing in on gains cheaper than before. repealing the Estate Tax makes them keep more of what they gained.

Only when income tax rates are slashed on the working party, will we see real economic growth. The middle class are the consumers in this market, not the elite and not the poor.

GW is missing that point, as are many others. Govt should NOT restrict a companies ability to create profits. However, they should not provide incentives either.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans' personal savings rate dipped into negative territory in 2005, something that hasn't happened since the Great Depression. Consumers depleted their savings to finance the purchases of cars and other big-ticket items.

The Commerce Department reported Monday that the savings rate fell into negative territory at minus 0.5 percent, meaning that Americans not only spent all of their after-tax income last year but had to dip into previous savings or increase borrowing.

The savings rate has been negative for an entire year only twice before -- in 1932 and 1933 -- two years when the country was struggling to cope with the Great Depression, a time of massive business failures and job layoffs.

GW is missing that point, as are many others. Govt should NOT restrict a companies ability to create profits. However, they should not provide incentives either.

"Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Monday reported a quarterly profit of $10.7 billion, capping a year of record earnings dominated by surging oil and gas prices."

Kraft, which makes brands like Oreo Cookies, Oscar Meyer, Velveeta and Jell-O, announced a second revamping yesterday, one that would eliminate 8,000 jobs, or 8 percent of the work force, and close 20 plants. The overhaul comes on top of 5,500 layoffs and 19 plant closures that were announced two years ago.