Eka, I just can not handle the idea of listening to her voice for any longer than it takes for this election to be over. IT effects me like scratching on a blackboard. I told my Dad that and he laughed because my Mom had just told him the same thing.

Me to Belinda - I find perception fascinating. Have a psych degree LOL. do you remember the “filters” in terms of communication. The discussion about how we filter information internally and everyone’s internal filters are different? I have family members that cannot even “hear” obama because of his color and his name. it’s that simple. there is nothing he can say nothing he can do that they would hear as it all filters through their racism. I made every attempt at the beginning of the campaign to educate myself in a way that negated my filters. I often see elections through the narrow filters of the abortion issue, gay marriage that type of thing. this time i wanted to not be a single issue voter. so i read read read. I thought the VP debate was a fabulous example of perception and filters. My husband and I were watching it actually feeling sorry for Palin we thought she was so horrible. then the debate is over and Peggy Noonan is calling her a “star” and people are talking about how she did so well!

EKA, if I may be so bold as to interject. I posted MHO about what I think everyone should start thinking about doing on the thread about the 5 things we don’t know about the bailout; I think that’s what it’s titled. If you are curious, go ahead and have a peek. But please. Don’t get mad at me it you don’t like what you read. Its just one opinion. I would suggest spending some time surfing. Get educated on topics that you wouldn’t normally go to. Charlie Rose has some fabulous guests like Warren Buffet, and other economic experts. See what the experts are saying. Learn to read between the lines. Learn to figure out what they are NOT saying. Also, go find what they are saying in London / Germany / Canada etc about the economy. They have little to lose being in another country so they tend to be more blunt about what is going on. With all due respect you will not get the straight goods from any one person because the repercussions of being either totally right or totally wrong are too big here. All I can say is that this is a huge problem for anyone who owes any money with a tentative job. This is not about the economy anymore, it is about the individual. Stop indulging yourselves. Stop being in debt. Demand proper labelling on everything including food/clothing etc. Look at labels, and stop buying things made in countries you don’t appreciate or respect. It needs to start at the bottom. If you don’t buy it, they will stop importing it. En masse you really do have the upper hand you know. Oh. And one more thing. The Values questions are a mask and a distraction. Better wear big fuzzy slippers, not shoes, or you’ll miss the ending, for sure. The distractions in future are going to get even bigger. Just watch. Its gonna be an interesting 30 days. Hey that reminds me. Has anyone noticed that CNN hasn’t come up with a catchy name or theme song yet for this financial crisis like they did for “Desert Storm” or the “War on Terror”? Peace!