specific planning with considering alternatives that provide the funding. It is high time the US Government be held to the same rules as corporate America or our very own households...one cannot spend what they do not have. If it isn't in the check book then one waits or chooses trade offs or a little of both providing visibility on funding what is being proposed/desired.

Curtail all efforts in the Middle East by 50 % by year end 2009.

Attack Medicare abuse beginning 4th quarter 2009...establish committee to establish action plan.

Attack pharmaceutical companies current sheltering by year end 2009. Allow no more than one year on patents for new medication.

Implement tort reform or elimination.

Establish insurance panel to address the ills of the industry with rules and regulations to follow by year end 2009.

Etc......etc.

There is no way anything remotely like the above, or what VK proposes because the political ramifications mean more to the incumbents than truly addressing/solving the problem. Without the politics there is no problem in existence that CANNOT BE SOLVED.

It starts with a government that wants to do what ever it takes to fix the problems.

And it does not matter what the party affiliation. When we turned companies around during my stint in Corporate America, I can't remember ever needing to know what the participants party affiliation was to get the job done.

Good thread VK.

btk