Does anyone really think that the American government is going to make drastic reversals of policy and turn its back on its investors and financial allies?

Look at one of America's closest economic allies and investors: China. China is a respectable ally, putting aside the fact that it's a Communist country that once instituted a law on how many children were permissible per family. (Also, the country will mysteriously not release its poverty statistics.) Speaking strictly economically though, the country is another commodity to which America is uncomfortably handcuffed. The American trade deficit in 2007 for Chinese imports was over $237 billion, up $5 billion from 2006. This all healthily adds to the overall trade deficit that America enjoys with its assorted investors.

The mouthpieces of the trade industries swear that these policies benefit the nation. They provide American jobs from foreign investors in the country, never mind the innumerable American jobs that are sent to these nations. Why? Because it's cheaper to import their goods then manufacture them here in America. This is why the country's become complacent with upholding a service economy. We can barely produce any of the sustainable items which are absolutely necessary for America. But we can sure tell you the balance of your last credit card statement...as long as another country won't do it cheaper.

Luckily, 2008 is an even year, which means elections. Even luckier, it means presidential elections. As I'm sure you've noticed, each candidate enthusiastically presents their platform for whatever issue is reported most in the media for the week. This week the economy has gotten a lot of lip-service, and, in return, the candidates have responded by offering economic stimulus packages for the country that throw around numbers like used-cars salesmen.

Each candidate offers so many billions of dollars in support, and, if I'm not mistaken, I believe Obama's plan is the most forgiving. It offers an immediate $90 billion buyout for the workers and senior citizens of America, with another $30 billion allotted to repairing the budget. The actual details of the plan involve each American worker and senior citizen receiving a $250 check, with another $250 check to follow, if the economy worsens.

Something about this sounds familiar...oh, I know: Bush's 2001 tax cuts that gave middle-class families a $500 rebate.

Not one that likes to be shown up, Bush has unveiled his plan for the economy, which calls for taxpayers to receive anywhere from $300-$800 rebates and more tax breaks for corporations. The plan that is meant to be "a shot in the arm" for the economy is worth $145 billion. Of course, the idea is for Americans to spend cash and put money into the economy. I think people will be more apt to save any extra money they get their hands on right, not spend it frivolously.

Candidates like Hill, John Boy, Jack, Barack, and Mikey have no problem with shifting more costs over to the government and American people in the forms of universal-health care and persistent war. Most of the candidates have actually adopted a Robin Hood caricature, vowing to rob from the rich and give to the poor (in the form of tax cuts). They valiantly wish for us to forget that they have in fact been stealing from the poor and giving to the rich during their entire tenures as politicians. How disconcerting is the knowledge that Clinton and Edwards supported the policies that led to America's current bankruptcy law?