The U.S. As A Failed State

This commentary from Paul Craig Roberts, who's professional and educational accomplishments speak volumns and who is critical of both political parties, just published a must-read commentary on the state of systemic decay in this country:

Costs are out of control, and priorities are skewed in the interests of rich organized interest groups at the expense of the vast majority of citizens...The one percent that comprise the superrich are laughing as they say, "let them eat cake."

Here is the link:  Let Them Eat Cake

Here's an observation I shared with some people this weekend, in the context of a tragic story that made me sad for our country and incredulous that we stand by idly while the politically connected Wall Street elite completely loot our system with Obama's blessing:

The system is clearly 100% corrupted and broken. Obama is making things even worse. I heard a heartbreaking story last night about a struggling mother living in her broken down truck with her child, yet still keeping her child in middle school and making sure he had clean clothes for his school band performances.  She made money by salvaging scrap metal from residential and commercial dumpsters and selling the metal to scrap dealers.  She was trying to do the right things to survive.  She may have hit a wall this week because the system would not help her or her child.  Her loyal, well-trained dogs were towed away with her truck and she may lose custody of her child.  Why are the people running our biggest banks raking in 10's of millions of dollars when they are the ones forcing the weak and the poor into oblivion? Thanks for that Change, Barak.  While you fly in pizza from St. Louis for your lavish parties to entertain your corrupt, wealthy supporters, you are defecating on the people who voted you into power.