The Iraq War has got to be viewed as a great fiasco. It has weakened our military, hurt our relationships with other countries, and emasculated one of the few secular muslim countries. I don't care whether it ultimately works out - democracy v. dictatorship in Iraq was not worth ONE American life.

It has skewed our political system. Hillary Clinton had way more meaningful experience than Obama, but she was skewered by the media who clearly favored Obama. McCain is just there.

Congress deserves its low approval rating. They drafted the rules that led to the mortgage crisis and the major dems in Congress are on record saying everything was fine. Why? They didn't want to criticize the black man in charge at FNMAE.

But, we deserve whatever we get (and I still think Obama has the best chance of sparking the economy even though I think his economic policies suck). We wouldn't vote for someone who told the truth. Someone who was willing to do what was necessary to fix social security won't get elected - we'll just let it continue to rot until a new crisis is on hand.

Why don't I like Obama's economics? He wants to give tax money back to people who do not pay taxes. Fuck that. And I don't believe that $250, $200, or $150k stuff. Ask people from Louisiana. The state proposed the Stelly Bill, a tax increase that both parties promised "wouldn't effect anyone but the rich." Well, it jacked up EVERYONE's taxes at the state level, and by significant amounts.

I don't mind paying taxes, but I don't want what I work for to go to someone who doesn't work.

You notice that the ribbon looks like a figure 8? I guess whoever is running the Iraq war, be it the guy in the White House or the guy on the battlefield, is always behind the 8-ball, so to speak.

Interesting comment, Joe, about the media skewering Hillary's chances. Since when did the media have ever NOT elected a president?

Most Americans really don't have a clue as to what's really going on here. Iraqi businesses have reemerged, Sadaam's brutal dictatorship has ended, and Iraq really has a chance to fully participate in the world market. We are already partnering with Iraqi businesses on future bids.

Attacks are down and the Iraqi military is really showing signs of being able to take the load. Hell, since I've been here the security for the Baghdad perimeter and airport has been taken over my the Iraqis themselves.

When I first came here you could count on a mortar attack almost every day. They are very rare now.

I really think progress is being made and the Iraqis I talk to feel the same.

That is good news thank you for sharing PN.

Progress is good. Less violence is great. But that doesn't mean that after the U.S. stops paying off people, and withdraws, there won't be a resurgence of sectarian hostilities. They still have not come up with a good plan for the peace. Or a method of carrying one out. And unfortunately, a dictator that is less radically religious, is better than a government run by religious extremists. At least for the people who are more progressive in their attitudes about modern society, who want to choose their own paths in life, without repurcussions from a theocratic government for their choices.

Journalist Thom Shanker wrote for the New York Times 3 December 2008:Yes, his handlers showed him where the bear shit...