so freddie and fannie are to big to fail when is government going to stop bailing out the greedy look at the markets all around the world we are tipping into a world  depression      jack

In spite of our best efforts to remain a DEMOCRATIC nation, America continues down the road to Socialisium (spelling?)  Ever since the bail out of the Great Depression, the American public has been feeding off the Government.  Does anyone at all realize that in fact we are feeding off ourselves?

The general public continues to ask for more and more handouts and cheaper and cheaper products, with end result being that companies must go offshore to stay in business. Yes, Mr.. More, it is unfair and I agree, but educate John Q. Public as to what part they are playing in this mess.

Foreign competition is not just from "Foreign" countries, it is her all around us in the United States, helped by a Congress and Senate that refuse to "get tough" on border security!  

It’s a simple fact of supply and demand, too many people, too few jobs and an unwillingness of a lot of younger people to get dirty doing what they mostly consider jobs unglamorous.  Why not be on welfare and let someone else do the work?

And speaking of Welfare, who said that my tax dollars should go to pay for an undocumented persons?  Elected official are so afraid of NOT being elected, that they will show little backbone when it comes to difficult decisions.  Do you really think that the French, Russians, or Japanese would tolerate this system?

It will take as much commitment by Americans to even speak truthfully about these issues, much less actually do something, as it did in WW2 This nation was united in defeating the enemy!  It’s a shame and lesson learned from History that mankind, in general, can only unite with one another in war, rather than peaceful efforts.

Nice to see the honesty  displayed by Mr. Buffett with his "goofed" acknowledgement.

The Global Economy needs to witness a STRONG USA (like in the Bejing Olympics!) - as those countries require the world's largest economy (USA) to partner with them for mutual and sustaninable economic growth. The US has always been a model of why democracy works for the mutual benefit of all. Unfortunately - the recent bail outs by the US Fed does not increase anyones faith that all is well in "Lotus Land". It only perpetuates a line up for more bail outs - as precedent has now been set. (i.e. Auto Sector is requesting government hand outs - and one of the three just needs to fail to wake up to the fact that - Only the Strong Survive - so get back to business basics - cut your overhead, cut your costs - get mean and lean - be innovative -then compete on solid ground. It is embarassing to see the US Fed even consider bailing out F&F - when the executives who were charged to make it work for the home owner pocked billions of profit for themselves. When is the US govnerment going to take these fraudulent theives to task ????- instead of allowing these fat cats to walk away into the sunset with the US taxpayers money? (i.e. severance packages for the CEOS of the major US  banks and brokerages was appalling) Bring back the court cases of Enron and Tyco etc - and show the American Taxpayer that justice will be served. The rest of the world will then run to reinvest in the US democratic, capitalist system - so all can benefit and a mutual win-win is guaranteed. We live and die by our own sword (be accountable and responsible)- so let the games begin on the corporate faudsters and get back the money they stole so to pay off the hugeand growing US deficit - please!

Let's get rid of federal minimum wages, and offer jobs to people at what the job is worth. I happen to think that working in a field all day is alot harder than taking money at a cash register. You say nobody will work for it, but they will have to if it isn't given to them. With this concept, we can compete on our own land for the products we need, instead of relying on the rest of the world. Who said this "Global economy" was such a good idea afterall.

Its all about globalization................2010 will be a wakeup call for this country and the new President is the scapegoat. Insider Information for those who chose to listen. Sept 2009 is when it all starts, grabs your hats fella's and buy as much Silver as you can get your hands on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We would all be much better off if we payed a great deal more attention to Mr. Buffet. Not that he is perfect, just that he gets it right much more often than most.

Mr. Wilson, your diatribe starts out uninformed and then just goes into complete free fall. Democracy and Socialism are not opposites, are not mututally exclusive and are not the same thing.

Democracy is a form of government, Socialism is an economic system. Some of the strongest democracies in the world have many socialist aspects to what are substanitally capitalist systems; including the USA. In a perfect world, we would have a good mix of both. Socialism is no scarier a word than capitalism except when both get out of hand.

The rest of what you said is even less informed than this so it needs no furhter comment.

I agree with Jack Smith, it is the "American way" to live the American Dream.  

Unfortunetly people today don't realize the a dream is not something you buy, it is somthing you work for. . and work hard and long to get.  Bailing out those living beyond their means teaches nothing, it cripples.  Those budgeting monthly not expecting the handouts, doing with what we have and making it work, have a hard time seeing it to be the right way of going about things if we see the bail outs of fancy homes and cars happeing anyway.  

When you have a child, from a very early age you teach that child there are consequences to go along with the actions. What are the consequences to maxed out credit cards and delinquent house payments?  

Where are the morals and values, and worst yet what are we teaching our children?  CONSUMER~ ISM.  

SAD.

Totally living out side our means.....is that the new American Dream.....continuing to keep up with the Jones??  Knowing that failing to pay our bills, walking away from a house payment that we couldn't afford to begin with, filing an easy bankruptcy while we are enjoying a 42" HD tv and a closet full of designer clothes?

Get real America....I blame the  credit card companies that bombard our mail boxes daily with "easy" low interest credit.  It's about time finance and responsibility for handling money is taught in our schools, and I mean at the grade school level through high school. It should be mandatory.....maybe these kids could teach their ignorant parents a thing or two about saving and handling money.  Sickening situation in our country. And wouldn't it be nice if parents could learn to say 'NO"  to the whims of the little darlings!!

Many of the problems currently occuring have to due with deregulation by the Current Adminstration and their misguided perception that business will do what is in the best interest of the USA.  We have turned over the keys to the inmates and expected them to act responsibly..  A significant issue is allowing all types of imaginary products... hybrid instriments, derivative and other exotic financial products .. which are totally fictiicous... There is so much Junk going on in the financial markets, with off balance sheet agreements, partnerships, hybird entities that prop up earnings and balance sheets of these institutions.. WE NEED TO have a common sense law... that says if you attempt to deceive your creditors or investors or US GOVERNMENT  by use of 'junk'  Tell them... you (CEO) will be fined 100% of compensation, and get a free pass directly to jail...  quit pussyfooting around... put teeth and common sense into the regulations and drop these crooks in jail where they belong..   The kid that steals a stereo out of a car goes to jail for $300 while these jerks can cause BILLIONS OF DOLLARS in damage... and stay out of jail....   come on people wake up...