Chicago Daily Observer

Today, American families are working harder than they used to and making less. And, at the same time, even as they grow older, many Americans are socking less away in savings than they once did.

Both trends might keep us up at night. But with the baby boomers set to begin retiring next year, we cannot afford to ignore the second challenge. The problem is clear: This isn’t a nation of savers.

In the past two years, America’s personal savings rate reached its lowest level since the Great Depression. And in comparison to other industrialized countries, the United States ranked second to last in personal savings.

How low can Rod go? That’s the question state legislators are gleefully pondering in Springfield, as they debate the depths to which Blagojevich’s poll numbers, political support, and moral credibility will plummet.
In a town where camaraderie and conviviality are the norm, the governor’s belligerence, recalcitrance, petulance, egotism and arrogance are deemed abhorrent – if not deviant. “The man (Blagojevich) has a character flaw,” Democratic State Senator Mike Jacobs is quoted as saying.
Blagojevich does not govern, which means to direct, lead or manage. Instead, he reacts, which means he responds to polls. His style is confrontational, and he is in a perpetual campaign mode, undoubtedly convinced that voters are more impressed by a governor who is a fighter than by a governor who is a doer. He seeks sound bytes, not accomplishments.
“What’s wrong with him (Blagojevich)?” lamented State Representative Joe Lyons (D-19). “We, as Democrats, ... Read More...

Laura Ingraham’s New Book “Must Reading”—And This from A Fellow Book-Writing Fan!

Full disclosure – I’ve known and liked top-rated radio host Laura Ingraham for about 20 years. In fact, I remember from decades ago what may have been the genesis of her new best-selling book, “Power to the People” (Regnery) maybe even better than she does. She used to talk sadly about her concern that Americans were “soft.” She worried that we wouldn’t be capable of winning a World War II today, because she felt our character, as a country, might not be able to fight that battle. It was like the worry of a mother for a child she adores – but who sees some character issues that make her question sure how that child will do in life.

What comes across in “Power” is, in a sense, Laura’s incredible relief at how that concern for a country ... Read More...

Phenomenon.

That’s the most overused description of Sen. Barack Obama, but still the most accurate. His skyrocketing from Hyde Park state senator to Democratic keynote speaker to U.S. Senator to presidential contender is, well, phenomenal.

The story needs no retelling here; it’s been splattered across the covers of every magazine in the country for the past year—though many storytellers do not realize how remarkable was his primary election victory in 2004, transcending race, ethnicity and the Chicago political machine in an historic sweep.

In an incredibly brief time the Obama team set records for fundraising, signed up supporters everywhere and established a star-studded assemblage of policy advisers.

He rose quickly in the polls, then got stuck in second place—reaching a plateau this summer, some 15 points behind Hillary Clinton, and saw her creep that up to 20 or 22 points despite the fact that he raised more money from more ... Read More...