"We don’t know what the economic policies of a McCain-Palin administration would have been. We do know, however, what Republicans in opposition have been saying – and it boils down to demanding that the government stop standing in the way of a possible depression," wrote Paul Krugman in The New York Times.

This leads me to another quote from that noble Roman and famous Stoic – Marcus Aurelius. He wrote: "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

***

I just love Jennifer Aniston. She is one of our most appealing young leading women. (Yes, I know she’s 40. That’s young! And anyway, she looks a fresh 30.)

And I enjoy reading about her. She always comes across as much more than the sum of her over-publicized, made-up tabloid persona. She is real and accessible. The latter word is at the core of her appeal. She’s what the girl next door would be if you lived in a totally perfect world. (I interviewed her once over the phone and she was delightful. Even though I’d been warned on pain of death: "No personal questions!" I had the feeling she really wouldn’t have minded.)

So here is Jennifer profiled again, this time in Elle, interviewed by her old friend Kristin Hahn. She is photographed in evocative – and provocative! – black and white by Alexei Hay. This long article reveals, again, the thoughtful girl behind the hair, the smile and the inevitable, constant attention to her romantic life. (But unlike other stars, similarly hounded, I think the feeling is that most everybody wants Jennifer to find the right guy and live happily ever after. She generates a lot of plain old good will.)

Jennifer talks about her upcoming movies, "The Bounty" and "The Baster," forming a production company and what making films and entertaining or enlightening people means to her. She says she doesn’t take what she inspires in others for granted.

Most amusing to me was the revelation that, as a child, the star was not allowed to watch TV, and if allowed, it was only "60 Minutes" and documentary medical programs. So Jennifer saw a lot of surgeries over dinner. So many in fact that she came to feel she’d grow up to be … a microsurgeon!

I’m so glad she passed on failing arteries and went straight for the heart of America.

***

The Jackson family is doing themselves no favors, public relations-wise with their plans to stage a big "tribute" to brother, Michael – a ten-city "reunion" tour.

There’s lots of in-fighting over billing, money, all the usual Jackson issues. Boy, you didn’t have to be a seer to have predicted that the Jacksons were going to unite over Michael’s body and try to dredge up a few more millions. (What the hell did they do with all the money Michael poured into the family for 30-plus years?)

Janet Jackson seems to find the tour a bit distasteful, and is not eager to headline. Well, she is the only Jackson besides Michael who went out and made her own money from her talent.

I’ve said it before. Michael was the super-star engine who drove the Jackson Five to success. Jermaine Jackson – who gets creepier with every "Larry King" TV appearance – didn’t have the stuff. Nor did Tito, Marlon or Jackie. The entire Jackson clan lived off Michael from day one.

You know what? I kind of hope this tour tanks, big time. It would serve them all right.