The one article you should read today:

[Bread and Circus]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-arentowicz/the-big-picture_b_99533.html

[DevonRex]

1. K&R. Great article. nt

[SoonerPride]

2. K & R

liked this:

Let's take stock of our future. On the short list of factual trends we've done nothing about, we are facing an aging baby boomer population that is on course to bankrupt Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare in less than 20 years. Combined, these two welfare programs account for almost 2/3 of our federal budget. Concomitantly, my generation (Gen X) does not have the people power to keep pace with the rising costs of these welfare programs. If unaddressed, costs will continue to rise and revenues will continue to fall, especially as we ship more jobs and cash overseas.

Secondly, not only are oil prices rising, and will continue to rise, most unbiased experts agree we have passed peak production and will see the end of oil in around 37 years (which is why Saudi Arabia hasn't increased production to provide any price relief...they no longer have supply power). Additionally, we are no closer to getting off oil than we were 30 years ago when President Carter first tried to make renewable energy a national priority. Cheap oil is what makes the modern world possible. Without it or a viable alternative, there is no modern world. Finding a viable alternative(s) to fossil fuels is in everyone's best interest...including Saudi Arabia and Republicans alike.

Thirdly, Global Warming is another potential game changer. Whether or not you believe human beings are contributing to the warming of the planet, it doesn't really matter. Facts matter. The polar ice caps are melting, as are all our glaciers. Our house is burning down and we're arguing about who should take out the trash. The time for action is now because if we do not act, the risk of doing nothing could be catastrophic. I could go on to include the threat of global water shortages, inflation, a weakened dollar, ballooning interest payments on our national debt, a degenerating infrastructure, increased job losses, raw material shortages, the housing crisis, failing healthcare and educational systems, global population growth, plummeting fish populations, deforestation, pollution, terrorism, etc., etc.

[0007]

3. Thumbs up!! bttft and recomened.

[Window]

4. K/R.

:kick:

[Armstead]

5. K&R -- Required reading

I havevthe TV on in the background and these words hit home especially today:

"I bring all this up because as big business runs and ruins our government and our lives, we are sitting around bickering over nonsense like Jeremiah Wright. We need people in government who will take these monumental problems seriously...Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike. Most animals run for their lives when threatened by obvious danger. We just argue with each other on the tracks as the train fast approaches. I don't usually use this word literally but we've gone crazy.

While our politicians are mired in their short term corporate agendas, they're leaving your future and my future and our kid's future to chance. You don't have to go far to see some of the very real world consequences of government inaction and irresponsible short-term thinking as our financial system crumbles from the corrosive effects of unregulated greed in the marketplace. Politics is not a game, it's physics. With every action there is a reaction...eventually!"

[Armstead]

6. PS -- This should be e-mailed to every jackass in the media

[Armstead]

7. Another PS -- This is so important to remember that people should keep this to the top all day

It is pro-Obama, but it makes a crucial point otherwise that is crucial to remember.

[Bread and Circus]

14. I know, I wish he didn't line up behind one candidate or the other because..

his points go to the essence of what's wrong, which is so much bigger than what our current back-and-forth politics is equipped to handle.

[Armstead]

16. Well if people read up to the last two paragraphs, they'd probably all agree

What he is saying applies to the whole situation, regardless of who he personally supports.

[myrna minx]

8. K&R

[TheDoorbellRang]

9. From the comments: "Ignorance can be fixed but stupid is forever"

I think part of the intense passion in this primary is due to the subconcious realization that there really isn't much time left to change the self-destructive course humanity seems to be set on. Problem is supporters on both sides have different views as to our best course of action. My view is for Obama, someone willing to get the best advice from all POV and then making informed decisions, free of the pressure from self-centered corporate concerns.

I think most Americans ARE ignorant, not stupid, and an Obama presidency that returns transparency to government would help blow away the clouds of ignorance so many are wilfully immersed in.

[navarth]

10. he's wrong about Social Security, but the rest is good.

Ironic that he talks about getting to know the difference between truth and bias...he's buying into the myths about Social Security going bankrupt because of the baby boomers, etc. Someone needs to tell him that the plan is in fine shape if the Bu$hies don't keep raiding it for money. If you've ever heard Thom Hartmann's rant about this you'll get the idea.

Other than that, the article is very good.

[panAmerican]

11. That was nice!

[panAmerican]

12. That was nice!

[havocmom]

13. Read it & send it far and wide

Thanks for posting

[not_too_L8]

15. K&R

[knixphan]

17. That's the one.

Says it ALL.