This would prove Congress is crazy!!

Hello Soccermom, Well, right now you and I are part of the solution. Most folks don't take the time to think about economics. Yet, the nation's atmosphere is highly politicized right now, with it being election season. The solution is for folks like us to start talking about how the economy affects not only the political arena, but also our daily lives. No American wants to see the USA enter a financial nose-dive. I think that people will care alot more about things like oil, gold, water, solar, geothermal, huge entitlement programs, even waste management issues, etc..., as well as these dangerous financial/arms deals like the Saudi/US agreement, when they understand how much it all affects their ability to get a car loan, pay their mortgage, or keep their job! Or, how much our consumerism has affected the banking industry, which is selling off part of the American economy to keep an influx of resources to lend out. And, particularly how disastrous it is that we Americans do not save enough of our hard earned income, both for a self-preservation bubble, and to provide the banking industry with reserves, so that they do not need to borrow it from foreign investors. So, the key is talking about it. Which is what we're doing right now. The more people who become part of the solution, the better. Thanks for taking the time to read the article. It's a pretty big eye-openner, isn't it?

I'm already bummed out by the whole thing luna. LOL I read the article and find it amazing at how well the author called it. Oil did hit a $100 a barrel, and although gold isn't $1500 an ounce (yet) $900 an ounce is nothing to sneeze at. I find it really frustrating that we are not putting more energy into finding an alternative to oil. But then again, look around and nearly everything is petroleum based. Cripes, even our larger financial institutions are selling off to Middle Eastern investors. I truly do not know what the solution is, we can't force people to open their eyes as to what is happening on our own soil.

well I sure hope not we need to up our oil production so we dont have to depend on thiers.grrrrr

We probably won't hear about it again until there is another war and we find out they are using these weapons against us. I saw today though that Bush is urging OPEC to increase oil production becasue of the strain oil prices are causing on our economy, maybe he's thinking give them arms and in return we get our precious oil.

Good to hear from you again friend! I hate to say it but it is slightly comforting to know that this is not just a problem exclusive to the U.S. I have know doubt that it'll come back to haunt us, as you said, most non western nations are not friendly. Corporate greed is out of control, and it amazes me how blind our government is to this. But on the other hand I guess if your pockets are getting lines well enough it's easy to turn the other cheek.

The company I work for did a big drive to collect school supplies for a school the US military set up in Afghanistan, as well as toiletries for the soldiers. I had no problem with the toiletries, but was kind of preturbed with donating school supplies when there is so much need in the US as far as education is concerned. I emailed the soldier who was heading up this project in Afghanistan and asked him why these kids education was more important than our own childrens. He replied with some pictures of Afghan kids, most of them girls, with an explanation that for many of them this is their first shot at an education. And in return for our donations the local village had been providing intelligence on Al Quida operations in the area, and in turn our soldiers are safer. It madesense to me then, and the pictures were truly amazing, and I'm happy to say our agency donated over $1000 worth of supplies. I guess what I am trying to say is why aren't we trying to establish relationships in the Middle East with more acts of kindness and good deeds instead of supplying these people with weapons? Also, weren't the majority of attackers on 9/11 from Saudi Arabia? It seems backwards to me to supply any of these nations with high tech weapons.

I know exactly what you mean. We are going over there and taking lives and losing lives. We are tearing up their country and then offering them help to rebuild. That makes no sense. We have so many people here in the U.S. that are homeless and there are many building here that need also. there are also many states and cities that need some cleanup done here. we have starving adults and children here but the U.S. wants the American people to donate to other countries and for their own country. Where is all of our tax money going? Our taxes should pay for that stuff and their should not be hunger or homeless here!!!!! That is so dumb for the U.S. to supply them with weapons. Isn't that why they wanted to take out Sadaam Husein? The government is ignorant and the only the rich get elected or are able to run for Presidency.