Comments on: The Passion of Tom Friedman

By: chip

chip — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:18:24 +0000

I’m not sure that I agree with your last comment. The managers of the banks have clearly been just as irresponsible and reckless as that of the auto manufacturers, and let’s not forget that they were instrumental in causing this financial debacle. These guys suspended all judgement in their orgy of greed, and I’d comfortably argue that their villainy far exceeds the short-sighted incompetence of the guys running the big three. Having said all that, the ‘bailout ‘ will first and foremost end up benefitting the very institutions and individuals which were instrumental in causing the collapse; this is an inevitable consequence of placing guys like Paulson in charge.

By: Monica Starr

Monica Starr — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:09:32 +0000

Beautiful art, but it looks like you’re outsourcing content. That’s cool. You’re becoming a portal. But I want all Barry, all the time.

By: Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:20:17 +0000

LOL GGP owns my local mall (Christiana Mall in DE), and they’re still going gangbusters, though the fact that it’s tax-free shopping in a 3-state nexus probably helps a bit, especially with cheaper gas..

By: DL

DL — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:48:16 +0000

If GM stock is still in the toilet on January 16th, 2009, I really think that at that point it will pay to take a position in the stock (on the long side).

It’s just unthinkable to be that Obama will refuse to bail them out.

By: DL

DL — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:39:21 +0000

I haven’t watched the video, but I did see Freidman on MSNBC last night. He was calling for the ouster of top management, but I don’t think he even mentioned the UAW.

IMO, even a semi-competent management team could bring GM back to profitability if the UAW would make significant concessions. (Not that they’ll have to, since they’ve got Obama wrapped around their collective finger).

By: oldman

oldman — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:08:05 +0000

That was eazy!

Now all we need is Congress and the White House

unfortunately they are probably bought and paid for by….

time will tell

By: batmando

batmando — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:42:08 +0000

@oldman
Not disagreeing, in fact I completely agree, just qualifying.
Imagine if an indexed fuel tax had been instituted back when Carter first proposed his energy policy.

By: oldman

oldman — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:35:52 +0000

I don’t care how you do it the dems have control I am sure they will be “fair” to the little guy just get it done.

Give everyone under 40K a hybrid! (kidding) I don’t care how just get it done.

America needs more take home pay less, fuel consumption. Stop sending money to people who hate us!

By: batmando

batmando — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:18:34 +0000

As fuel tax would be as regressive or more so than a national sales tax, there would need to be rebates to lower income brackets who would be the last to move into fuel efficient vehicles as those cars become available in the used car market.

By: oldman

oldman — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:02:33 +0000

Way to go Tom!

Look we are going to get tax increases that seems clear it is high time we we raise it via fuel taxes!

Everyone knows you get more of what you subsidize and less of what you tax.

We need to tax Income less and start taxing fuel more!

We need higher take home income this country and we must stop giving money who those who hate us.

Revenue neutral would be nice but who cares any more lets just get it done!

Lower the income tax and raise the fuel tax!

mileage standards would take care of themselves