[Gcromqgb]

Is that why a American
vehicle like a Chevey surburban or escalade costs as much as a "starter home" in my area costs?

I find it mind-boggling that anyone can conceive of housing under $200,000, but hey, I live in the heart of the city.

But yes, it does seem rather oddly out of balance, though in that respect, it is the starter home that seems underpriced.

And the problem with the Big-Three automakers is not 'sticker-shock' at all since Nissan, BMW and Mercedes are all doing very, very well in the US market selling similarly priced products. It is all about quality and the product itself (much like the music industry's woes - entirely of their own creation and highly related to their business model itself).

[tussinelde]

many, many things are judged by past performance, political parties included. Did the events I spoke of not occur under democratic leadership? This is the obstacle that will have to be overcome. Confidence in the party will have to be earned, it's not a gift.

That's fine - if the republican answer to every question is still "Bill Clinton" then I think the democrats will do very well.
I think voters are smart enough to realize that predicting 911 was an unrealistic expectation of either party and that why we didn't get him before then is less important than why we haven't gotten him since. Eventually people will require a real answer to the question of why w has chosen to pursue other interests while bin laden is allowed to live.

On the specific charge of Clinton not getting bin laden, if any answer is even judged to be necessary, it will be easy to point out that at least Clinton warned the bush admin about bin laden when they took over. While I personally do not blame w for not heeding that warning, any attempt at this late date to use "Bill Clinton" as the answer will probably bring that issue back.

The republicans should be forced in both the upcoming congressional elections and the 2008 presidential election to run on their record. If they really do succeded in convincing people that the events of the Clinton admin are more relevant than anything that has happened since then they will deserve to win and the people will deserve whatever happens to them.

[dxpfmP0l]

I just found out that GM lost $36,000 per minute int he fourth quarter ($4.8 billion) while Shell made $17,000/min in the fouth quarter 2005 ($2.08 billion). If that doesn't sway voters I don't know what will.

[klnbgqr]

many, many things are judged by past performance, political parties included. Did the events I spoke of not occur under democratic leadership? This is the obstacle that will have to be overcome. Confidence in the party will have to be earned, it's not a gift.

I agree completely with this view. As much as partisans might want to deny it, parties conform to their previous track records on most issues regardless of who is the leader or candidate.

Indeed, not only are the same policies endlessly recycled, but so are people. The number of Reagan/Bush1 flunkies that were re-hired by Bush2 is astounding.

This pattern is quite consistent in and outside the USA.

Indeed, as a new 'conservative' government is sworn in here in Canada, I expect 1/2 of all 'flunky' appointments to go to ex-Mulroney flunkies that were thrown out 12 years ago. Same ole game.

[_tppga_]

I also forgot to mention that American cars are marked up 25% when imported into Korea

guys,how do you think of China export so much clothes(I don't know fix word,maybe "accouterments" is better) to US and Europe.

Hi Sunny! Clothes is the proper word, I have never seen an english speaker actually use the world 'accouterments' before.

My younger brother is working in a accouterments Company,his company export accouterments to US.he is working in office,his salary is about $300(RMB2400)one month.
in factory,an ordinary worker's salary one month is about RMB800($100).so Chinese's accouterments is very cheap.
American says that China worker make US worker lose their job...

Well, thats alright. You see, without a minimum wage, the salary of the average Chinese worker is not grossly inflated, like it is in the USA. Sure, your brother makes $300 in one month, but he can buy much cheaper things in China as well.

The only problem you come across is when you try to buy American products, made with lots of silly government regulations and with people getting paid far more than they should, due to a locally inflated currency.

Either the US will get wise to the idea that economic protectionism sets the country up for economic disaster, or we'll have an economic disaster

I certainly hope my countrymen realize which way is the good way.

[KuznehikVasaN]

Hi Sunny! Clothes is the proper word, I have never seen an english speaker actually use the world 'accouterments' before.



Well, thats alright. You see, without a minimum wage, the salary of the average Chinese worker is not grossly inflated, like it is in the USA. Sure, your brother makes $300 in one month, but he can buy much cheaper things in China as well.

The only problem you come across is when you try to buy American products, made with lots of silly government regulations and with people getting paid far more than they should, due to a locally inflated currency.

Either the US will get wise to the idea that economic protectionism sets the country up for economic disaster, or we'll have an economic disaster

I certainly hope my countrymen realize which way is the good way.

What are you proposing??? You think Factory workers in the US should be earning Chinease salaries?

[Zfdeisde]

I think health care should be their main issue. Hard core conservatives are against universal health coverage but most people I talk to on a day to day basis outside of political discussion boards seem to want it.

[gamecasta]

1). Take Ted Kennedy off the stage.
2). Take Hillary off the stage.
3). Take Howard Dean off the stage.
4). Stop the abortion obsession.
5). Stop taking from working people to support those that CHOOSE not to work.
6). Stop saying the solution is always to raise taxes.
7). Stop saying the solution is always the government.
8). Dump Michael Moore.

In addition:

9) Have a solution, criticism solves nothing if you have no options of your own.
10) Distance the party from the loony left.
11) Include God, 92% of Americans believe in him, alienating the party away from religion, alienates the majority of Americans. The Republicans have mastered this.
12) Dump Hollywood morons. The average American sees them as elite jerks who make radical statements, and where do they do this?...Democratic fundraisors.
13) Publicly disagree with the likes of Belefonte - the only politicians you see disagreeing with these morons are Republicans...what does this say to the average Anerican?....that Democrats agree with them.
14) - It's worth repeating...dump Dean, dump Kennedy and dump Hillary.
13) Do none of the above...and just like now - all three branches will stay in control of the Republican party.

[Tauntenue]

I know you libs love to blame the management for American auto companies' problems, and you are partly right.

But let's not forget that American cars cost more than their foreign counterparts, and are less reliable. That's a workmanship issue.

[lungumnentibe]

I think health care should be their main issue. Hard core conservatives are against universal health coverage but most people I talk to on a day to day basis outside of political discussion boards seem to want it.


You're right, but Democrats can't agree on a program. Americans want universal health care, but it has to be a better deal for them than their current health care. Single payer won't sell, neither will Hillarycare. Which means Democrats need some new ideas. Pay or play might work, that's what Japan uses. Subsidizing insurance or expanding Medicaid to cover the lower middle class might also work. But anything that requires the middle class to pay more for what they already get is going to fall flat.