As the speed with which our economy falls continues to increase, a few nagging questions persist.

1.  Do all of those patriotic Americans who absolutely believed that a war for freedom in Iraq was worth whatever it costs still think it’s worth it when they consider  the cost (this would be the money that the government takes from, or will take from, us and our children)?

2.  If you save your income and put it into some financial instrument so that your investment will grow and be there for you some day in the future, can you rely upon the expertise of financial institutions to assure your future?

3.  Do our elected officials recognize that pontificating about what’s wrong after the fact does not help?

Amigos, I have been posting about the economy for some time, warning that bad things are coming and those who can’t seem to connect the dots are bringing us to a precipice that will do great harm to many.  These aren’t my most popular posts.  Indeed, many spend far more effort “explaining” economics that appreciating that this isn’t theory but reality. 

Take a broad view of what’s happening around you.  We have spent half a trillion dollars on the war in Iraq for a goal that is at best rhetorical.  Ah, how some love their jingoistic ideals and the accompanying rhetoric.  It makes them feel so . . . American.

But then, these same people like to have jobs.  They want to make good money, “because they work hard.” 

Wall Streeters are smarter about money than us ordinary folk.  Except at Bear Sterns.  But then, the people who worked their made a boatload of money in commissions, salary and bonuses.  That’s because Wall Street’s vision extends about 6 hours into the future.  They care only about the half point they can pull off the table in the next 5 minutes.  Our world revolves around theirs.  we need them, because without them we have no place to park our money until we grow old and die.

But whether they make us money, lose our money or collapse, they take a piece of every transaction and put it into their pockets.  The piece turns out to be pretty large.  They want to make good money, “because they work hard.”

In the meantime, our government has a duty to all Americans to keep the wheels of hope alive for our future.  See how bright, shiny words can be added to any sentence to make it seem uplifting even when there is absolutely nothing of substance or reason involved?  It’s a miracle. 

The government is the only business around that has a never ending supply of customers that will pay whatever price it decides to charge.  And public employees are the only group of workers whose income and job prospects are never affected by economic conditions.

Each year, they are assured of increases in salary, benefits and job security.  They want to make good money, “because they work hard.”

It has occurred to me that there isn’t much point to my charging my clients for my services if the funds are going to simply disappear later when another shocking downturn in our economy occurs.

It has also occurred to me that people who spend their money as soon as they get it on bright, shiny things may not be as foolish as I thought, since they are at least getting some benefit out of it while my “paper losses” mount.  Watching “paper losses” is not nearly as pleasant as driving that Aston Martin I have my eye on.

It has further occurred to me that I am tired of having other people commit to choices that I disagree with, but have to pay for anyway.  That goes for neo-cons, politicians, public school teachers, Wall Streeters and others.  Waste your own money and leave me out of it.

And finally, don’t tell me about economic theory unless you can account for why we seem to be so poor at addressing the constant series of failures that plague us.  I don’t have answers.  But neither do you.

Anyone else have any nagging question?