Writes: Christopher Hitchens

What are the main principles of a banana republic?

A very salient one might be that it has a paper currency which is an international laughingstock: a definition that would immediately qualify today’s United States of America.

We may snicker at the thriller from Wasilla, who got her first passport only last year, yet millions of once well-traveled Americans are now forced to ask if they can afford even the simplest overseas trip when their folding money is apparently issued by the Boardwalk press of Atlantic City.

But still, the chief principle of banana-ism is that of kleptocracy, whereby those in positions of influence use their time in office to maximize their own gains, always ensuring that any shortfall is made up by those unfortunates whose daily life involves earning money rather than making it.

At all costs, therefore, the one principle that must not operate is the principle of accountability. In fact, if possible, even the similar-sounding term (deriving from the same root) of accountancy must be jettisoned as well.

Just listen to Christopher Cox, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as he explained how the legal guardians of fair and honest play had made those principles go away. On September 26, he announced that ‘the last six months have made it abundantly clear that voluntary regulation does not work.’ Now listen to how he enlarges on this somewhat lame statement.

It seems to him on reflection that ‘voluntary regulation’ … [ MORE ]

Sixty seven percent of Republicans just helped reject the bailout plan by a vote of 228-205. And, wall street is responding accordingly — the markets are tanking.

The situation is so bad that GAY Democrat Barnett “Barney” Frank, offered to be “uncharacteristically nice” to those Republicans who voted against the bailout — because they didn’t like the “partisan speech” by the speaker of the house — Nancy Pelosi.

One of these despicable ReTHUGlicans, representative Darrell Issa, said he was “resolute” in his opposition to the measure because it would betray party principles and amount to “a coffin on top of Ronald Reagan’s coffin.”

Yes …that long dead Ronald Reagan — the SERIAL LYING REPUBLICAN GOD, who still tickles GOP politician’s up the ass!

Just in case you are wondering, here are Ronald Reagan’s (the president of “sunny optimism“) Top 10 Greatest Achievements.

Even the “erratic and confused” John McCain, who just moments before the vote pre-maturely pro-claimed a vote success (due to his hard work) — while at the same time blaming Obama for inaction, must be stunned!

After “suspending” his campaign to provide “leadership” in Washington during this financial crisis — McSAME’s erratic politicking has failed once more, and Obama looks a lot more presidential.

What a shame!

It is the same Republicans who stymied the immigration bill last year, led by racist NAZI radio/TV talk show hosts, syphilitic maggots like Lou Dobbs, Rush Limbaugh, Sean “Mahoney” O’Hannity and a host of others, who incited an avalanche of “Working Class Whites” to “SPAM” congressional phone lines with NATIVIST rage, scaring the bejesus out of their elected officials.

Almost instantly, stocks plunged in wall street and the Dow lost nearly 600 points. It came in stunning defiance of President Bush and Congressional leaders of both parties, who said the bailout was needed to prevent a widespread financial collapse…..[MORE]