I'm curious to know how the economists now agree with the politicians on how great the economy is going, while I keep hearing on the daily news that the huge employers of the past (GM; nearly all the Airline companies; manufacturing companies; etc.) are either going bankrupt or are already there. How other companies are closing their doors left and right, and how those that are still in business are bargaining for new contracts NOT to see how much of a raise they are giving to their employees but how much the employees are going to have to give back in concessions just to keep their jobs.

It seems a bit bizarre but then we live in a bizarre country these days.

A country where the laws are made willy-nilly with absolutely no thought given to the effect it will have on those it's passing laws upon.

A country where it's illegal for men and women to express how they feel for fear of being accused of sexual harassment. Where once it was water-cooler talk to tell a joke, now you must look over your shoulder to make certain that no one will be "offended".

A country where the rights of atheists MUST be protected but those of faith abused and scoffed at.

Where it's not alright to defend your property for fear of being sued if you happen to shoot a thief who has a good attorney.

A country where the "state" tells you that you MUST be safe at all times, including driving your car, with alarms, bells, and roving armed enforcers to ensure you do even though you aren't endangering anyone but yourself.

"There is no subjugation so perfect as that which keeps the appearance of freedom, for in that way one captures volition itself." Jean-Jacques Rousseau ; (1712-1778) Political philosopher, educationist and essayist.

And now the economy -- "Propaganda is persuading people to make up their minds while withholding some of the facts from them." Harold Evans.

So we are now asked to believe that the economy is going great guns despite the fact that people are being asked to shiver in their homes, huddled in blankets while attempting every way they can to survive the cold when the solution is right there on the wall disguised as a thermostat, but they wouldn't dare turn it up for fear of getting a horrendous gas bill which they can't pay .

When people are losing their jobs because it's cheaper NOT to go to work than pay the exorbitant price at the pump.

When the cost of groceries is getting so high that people can't buy healthy food, instead going for the fat building bulk food just to keep their families alive.

The land of the free. Our rights have been systematically taken from us by the state (government), nibbled away at like the bait I use when fishing until there is nearly nothing left.

"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." David Hume Scottish philosopher 1711-1776, once said.

I'd like to add a quote of my own. "Once liberty has been nibbled away at a little at a time, the state gets emboldened, and stops nibbling, but takes large bites instead."

It seems to me that the this propaganda has but one intent behind it. To make it possible for our elected representatives to enact MORE laws and programs which the government can then put into effect to "ease the burden" of those who can't survive without government assistance.

And so the march to socialism continues, where the government replaces God as the benevolent benefactor and those who disagree with the way government is operating are punished one way or another.