CHAPMAN: Economic pain palliatives

So, I think I get it: We're screwed, so get used to it?? I don't think so. Vote Democrat, vote for hope, vote for change. Our biggest problem is we've let the global, not AMERICAN, GLOBAL oil companies dictate our oil policy. Net result? Global EXXON-MOBIL just broke the record they set last year for the biggest profit in the history of civilization. McSame's solution? Let them drill us some more. Time for new thinking, new optimism, a green energy revolution, and old-fashioned US leadership in a field where everyone gets to make money, and everyone gets a chance to live a better life. That's what America USED to stand for, and what we can and will achieve once again. Unless you listen to these guys who tell us to bend over, relax, and get used to being screwed.

This guy is right. Most people from every political stripe believe that America as a nation can revive its economy if we just innovate, or offer incentives to the right industries, or do whatever it was we did in 19XX after the last economic mess. This is not like those times. There is no way to spend, or tax, or incent, or invent, or grow our way out of this. This is the beginning of America's permanent economic decline, and the best thing for people to do is realign their lives. So quit shopping, quit vacationing, start planting food, and start selling off the stuff you don't need. Basically, if you're impoverished like I am, the door closed before you ever got a chance to get yours. This time it really is over.