Essays:

• Michael Hudson, Obama's Awful Financial Recovery Plan, CounterPunch.org, 12 February 2009.


• Sandra Ward, Recession? No, It's a D-process, and It Will Be Long; An Interview with Ray Dalio: This pro sees a long and painful depression, Barrons.com, 09 February 2009.


• Simon Johnson, The G7 Are Asleep At The Wheel. Why?, The Baseline Scenario, 14 February 2009.
  
  Johnson has provided an answer in his other writings (see The Baseline Scenario): the oligarchy refuses to recognize its losses. The owners are still trying to make the U.S. Congress (and other national treasuries) pay for their losses. The People is now the only entity large enough to cover the bankers' failed investments. But it is not The People's debt to pay. Others could operate the nations' banks. However, the reigning oligarchy still controls the politicians sufficiently that the politicians act contrary to the public interest and continue to delay the day of reckoning. My suggestion to friends and others: prepare for a prolonged financial recession/depression unless & until a thorough house cleaning happens. At the moment even Obama acts as a tool of the oligarchy. See also the Greenwald essay noted below.


• Peter Boone, Simon Johnson, and James Kwak, Baseline Scenario for 2/9/2009, The Baseline Scenario, 08 February 2009.


• Matthew Richardson & Nouriel Roubini, Nationalize the Banks! We're all Swedes Now, The Washington Post, 15 February 2009.


• Nicholas D. Kristof, Our Greatest National Shame, The New York Times, 15 February 2009.
  
  Public Education, then Health Care.


• Glenn Greenwald, David Brooks reveals the mentality of the Beltway journalist, Salon.com, 14 February 2009.
  
  The Washington establishment has become so corrupt that it is unwilling to call attention to the corruption of itself and others.