When you consider the irony of America, what comes to mind for me is how soft we are.

Highly polarized social issues such as abortion, gay marriage, and terrorism perpetuate anger and confusion while real economic situations such as declining real estate values, limited credit, and widespread corruption restrict the people, and soon our own governments.

A Morality Issue

The United States is clearly on the brink of moral insensitivity. This would be grim for us. It never works out for civilizations. Liberals blame conservatism and the Bush Administration for global chaos while keen citizens and individuals have forewarned us about these circumstance for the past 20-plus years.

For instance, In 1989 Charles Colson suggested in his book Against the Night that government policy was “mortgaging our future”. Seems obvious now, right? Of course. But not so then.

Another example is this citizen in Ann Arbor Michigan who in 1999 calls out the Clinton administration for urging sub-prime lending on its banks like Fannie Mae. Sub-prime as we know descended upon multiple industries including automotive.

Automotive Economics

With credit now less available for automobiles, legislation is in the works to put money into consumer wallets for the purpose of buying automobiles. Consider this Maryland Tax Bill referenced on DealerRefresh.com and ADM. This is a good idea, but why don’t we also sever our economy from the source of the problem while we have the chance - UNIONS.

Re-vitalize our Unions

Eliminating unions is not a populist choice and I realize that, but clearly something needs to be done about our worker unions. They hold us back. Giving money directly to consumers is good medicine but unless we address the source of the problem we will just re-visit this situation again.

Now, as Emeril Lagasse would say, let’s “kick it up a notch” and re-purpose automotive unions altogether. We should be able to lower production costs and make American automobiles more valuable. This also would free up workers for use in areas more in tune with our future such as Energy.

Shift Workers to Domestic Energy

By freeing up the unions workers could be applied towards a variety of other job types and industries, particularly in Energy Supply. The economic possibilities of this would restore value in the U.S. dollar making our own goods and services more affordable. Bring provision back to the Home Land.

These things could happen but it may be a rough road. With social integrity on the brink of collapse we risk being continued targets to global hatred indefinitely. We must establish our own beacons of light to weather through this period that could concievably last beyond your own lifetime.

Yesterday while driving home I became nauseous at the thought of what is going on. Such panic and suspense on radio and TV. You have to wonder if there is anything to talk about today other than global finance and partisan US Politics.

John Kerry was on and he made me sick. His interest is heavily focused on bringing down President Bush. It’s this kind of politics that ruins this nation. All Obama talks about is what’s wrong with our government and the injustice it causes. Well no kidding, Barrack. But you are not the solution. You are a dreamer and a wooer, not a realist. No wonder Europe loves you. You won’t stand up to them, or anyone for that matter. You are a socialist and you don’t know it. Or do you?

Curiously, the Republican answer seems spoon fed on a platter, but McCain doesn’t see it. Turn it Up, John! Kick it up a notch. I would love to see you look Obama in the eye and tell him he doesn’t get it. Do that and you will win. Mark my words.

I am glad the “bailout bill” failed. I think it shows promise in the people of our government that rightness and common sense still have an influence No one wants the corrupted culprits to get off scott free, especially on the backs of the working class. Congress seems to understand this, but Congress also is not willing to go down with the corporate crooks which puts us all at a disadvantage because no one has the ability to make concessions with the lawmakers. Therefore, the people will be pay the price.

It’s a pickle and not only am I witnessing declining stock prices I also am witnessing declining traffic on car dealer sites and it makes me curious where the breaking point is or if everything just always bends.

Maybe I don’t want to know, but I do know that our civil servants need to loosen up, have some humility, be prepared to make some sacrifices, and do what is in the best interest of the people. That might require some of the same from us as well too. Society has drifted from its Keeper. Imagine the impact one of our leaders could have for breaking the plane of church and state separation and calling on God to rectify things.

The partisan politics going on right now is ludicrous. This may be a point-of-no-return turning point for our country and the entire globe.

Did you catch wind of this Jazz singer Rene Marie in Denver that was invited to sing the National Anthem and instead showed up to sing the “black” version. What the heck?

It’s funny how press and people are jumping all over this with beef, outrage, and concern. You can not get more publicity than this for a Jazz singer. As annoying, ludicrous, and ignorant as this might seem, this should serve the Rena Marie brand well.

I am curious to see the results of a poll that would show the racial divide this is going to stir. Race can not be ignored here. We are a proud people today. Proud of our country. Proud of our religion. Proud of our color. Proud of our gender. You name it, and we should be too. That doesn’t mean we need to be polarized about it, but we can’t suppress the fact that race matters.

The singer created the race issue in this case. She did not have to express herself in this setting. That wasn’t the invitation. She can do that in her own clubs and shows, but not at a civic gathering like this. That is just selfish and ignorant I don’t care what color you are.

Not to be a Monday night quarter back here but I seriously think I would have interrupted her. I am surprised no one approached her, took the mic and asked her to step down. She would have deserved it.

Actually, if you watch the video there does not appear to be much of a fuss at all. Maybe the fuss is only the Media and Bloggers. There was not a thunderous standing ovation after she sang but there was a bit of clapping going on.

In the past week, literally, I have put $180 of gas into the tanks of cars I have driven. $69 into my wife’s car that I borrowed for a day to visit a client on site because I had a rental I didn’t want to inconvenience my partners with its black interior on such a blazing hot day. I poured nearly $70 into that car after driving it for less than a week before dropping another $40 into my own car after picking it up from the body shop. That $40 got me less than 3/4 a tank and I stopped because the though of my fuel expense was making me ill.

This is really crazy. I am inclined to cancel my upcoming on-site client visits because technically I can do them via web meeting, but web meetings are not the same. But the economics of these on-site visits just doesn’t add up. It’s an annoying situation.

Dick Morris has a book coming out in 2 weeks which apparently sheds light on the responsibilities that the commodities markets have on our gas situation. I trust Morris’ point of view and am curious to see what his insight has to offer us.

Personally, I do not hold the oil companies accountable. Sure they are making incredible profits, but this profit is necessary for them to create alternatives. I have a growing itch that it is up to us, THE PEOPLE, to take a stand. By curbing our driving habits, we truly can make a difference. I can start by doing my client appointments via the web. My wife has a 50-mile-plus round trip work commute and she could push for telecommuting 2 or 3 days a week.

These are slight examples and in reality we all would have to be committed to making minor and major sacrifices to take this stand. Consider the impact of say 25% of the U.S. driving population cutting back fuel consumption by 25% for a few months. You have to wonder what sort of impact this would have.