Imminent Probability of Recession

Things looked really ugly this week from an economic standpoint. The tanking of the stock market has been hard for investors like myself to swallow.

The comments on Thursday from Fed Chairman, Bernard Bernanke, were not encouraging to those of us interested in seeing what true economic stimulation ideas he feels would be helpful to stabilize our economy.

The proposed plan of rebates to encourage the debt-strapped consumer to go out and spend some more money on Chinese-made imports is not going to do much in my opinion.

What we need is investment in creating something that satisfies true global demand such as alternative energy products, next-generation transportation, mass transit systems, medical break-throughs for diabetes, breast cancer, colon cancer, etc.

A structured, transparent, plan of Fed funds rates would be helpful to business investment. If the Fed were to announce that they were taking down the Fed funds rate to encourage business investment for solid business loans and potential homeowners with solid credit then we might see a softening of the downward spiral. The rate should be set for a specific time period with the announcement that 1/4 quarterly adjustments upward would follow until the rate met the risk-adjusted 10-year average rate of inflation.

John Edwards - Champion of the Working Class or Limousine Liberal ?

Is John Edwards the champion for working-class Americans or is he a limousine liberal, whose extreme wealth and expensive taste and indulgences make his promise for "One America" seem disingenuous?

You decide. Make your case one way or the other. Be fair!

Mitt Romney - Charismatic Leader or Religious Cultist?

Is former Governor Mitt Romney the charismatic leader that America is looking for or does he have the agenda of what many consider a religious cult in mind?

You decide. Make your case one way or the other. Be fair!

Mike Huckabee - Honest Leader or Spokesman for the Religious Right?

Is Mike Huckabee the honest leader that many have been looking for to move beyond political rhetoric or would he be a spokesman for the religious right using the Oval Office as the Baptist pulpit?

Barack Obama - Contemporary Leader or Too Far, Too Soon?

Is Barack Obama the contemporary leader America is looking for to unite our diverse population or has he been pushed by too far, too soon by members of his party not interested in supporting a Hillary Clinton presidency?

Make your case and respond in the comments link.

Rudy Giuliani - America's Mayor or Moral Dilemma?

Is Rudy Giuliani the leader that Americans are looking for to lead our country in a post-911 world? Does Rudy Giuliani's personal lifestyle and social beliefs present a moral dilemma for socially conservative Americans?

You decide. Make your case one way or the other. Be fair!

Hillary Clinton - Strong Leader or Pandering Populist?

Does Hillary Clinton have what America is looking for in 2008? Is she viewed as a strong leader by men and women alike? Do men and women see her as the other part of the equation in a Clinton leadership team? Or is Hillary a pandering populist just responding to popular polls saying whatever is needed to get elected?

What do you think? Share your views by clicking on the comments link.