The Tea Party protesters are unhappy because they recognize fraud when they see it. Socialism, in any form, flies in the face of the values the founding fathers established for this Nation.

Frederic Bastiat, in his book "The Law," suggests there are two kinds of plunder--"illegal plunder," such as theft and swindling, and "legal plunder." He goes on to state that when government "defends plunder and participates in it. Thus the beneficiaries are spared the shame, danger, and scruple which their acts would otherwise involve. Sometimes the law places the whole apparatus of judges, police, prisons, and gendarmes at the service of the plunderers, and treats the victim – when he defends himself – as a criminal. In short, there is a legal plunder, and it is of this, no doubt..."

He then explains how "legal plunder" can be recognized...

"Liberality in princes is regarded as a mark of beneficence: But when it occurs, that the homely bread of the honest and industrious is often thereby converted into delicious cates for the idle and the prodigal, we soon retract our heedless praises."

"Giving alms to common beggars is naturally praised; because it seems to carry relief to the distressed and indigent: But when we observe the encouragement thence arising to idleness and debauchery, we regard that species of charity rather as a weakness than a virtue."

Taking turns bashing each others party for whos to blame for the finacial mess we are in is a waist of time. Both the Dems and the GOP have been fiscally irresponsible. The bashing gets in the way of problem solving.

Common sense tells me that to spend more money to get out of debt does not work. As you spend the money times might get better for a while, but in the end you have a larger debt. We need to stop bailing people out we need to spend less. Yes this will cause suffering, but this is the consequence we must pay for being irresponsibile as a society.

In the end we the people are the problem. How many of us live like the governement under a mountain of debt. If a politician did propose what was really needed to be done we would not vote for them because we are unwilling to pay the price. If you want things better get your own house in order and stop expecting someone else to do it for you. To the minority that live fisically responsibile lives I comend you and trust you will continue to take care of yourselves.

Good comment. And concerning Obama's health care reform, a non-partisan study just recently came out by the experts showing it will ultimately save money because of a simple fact that dozens of other countries have already picked up on: preventive care is a whole lot cheaper then waiting until a problem is so bad you are forced into hospitalization. I'm not a fan of everything Obama is doing with the budget, but in some cases, it's better and cheaper in the long run to make some expensive changes today.

"I would be all for a cap in medical malpractice suit payouts."

I checked this out. After years of relentless lying by conservatives I check out most things they say. Corporations would love to cut your access to the courts. For example, litigation from asbestos workers cost them a lot.

Malpractice adds 3% to medical costs. If you studied process improvement or you have gathered date for a Prado chart, you know you start with your largest cost drivers first. 3% isn't a big hitter.

If you had experience doing cost analysis, you would know there are hidden and apparent costs to be considered. When, you do any study, you look for what is being hidden from you by people with agendas.

It's obvious to me that in a free market costs drive actions. If there was no cost to murder people would we be safer? The idea of deterrence is really about costs.

Would you get better health care if we rid providers the cost of malpractice? Why would a provider pay $100,000 for surgery on your 65 year old mother if there wasn't a risk of economic lost?

Doctors complain to no end about the cost of malpractice insurance. I know because there are several doctors in my family.

However, I get no free health care, and don't have insurance. I work, but can't afford it (David).

There is a common theme here, and some have gotten fat off of it.

if americans disagree with the shocking anti their own citzens goings on,who voted these successive clowns in? u had better get a better vote counting systrem asap,no one wants them but every 4 years these thieves r back,somethings wrong..BIG TIME.