Hello Rick,
this is my first time sending you info. I watch your show almost every afternoon. I am semi-retired and have lived in Mexico for 15 years, in Guadalajara. I have traveled all over the country never having a problem. Most of the violence is in the border area. Drug dealers killing drug dealers and corrupt govt people. Normal people have almost no problems. Police are great to Americans. I think Mexico is getting a bad wrap. Biz is good here. lots of People from the USA here to do biz., and from Europe, Canada, Korea, Japan, China. Anytime you want a less biased look, let me know.
Best regards,
David

Hey Rick what does the American people think of chrysler threatning the Canadian Government , (Give us What we Want or we will move to Mexico ) Maybe back to USA ). Myself i think it is time For Governments to say to all Auto Manufactures NO MORE MONEY time to fix yourself or go under , New Companies will step up and fill the voids.

First time blogger -

Rick, regarding Madoff, are we seriously supposed to believe that he is the only person that is involved in this "Ponzi" scheme. I mean seriously, this guy steals BILLIONS and no one else knew about his actions? C'mon?!! Not one person figured out what he was doing? He is the one and only person to know exactly what was going on? It's not right to steal, but you can't even rob a convenient store without at least a "look out". I wouldn't be surprised if we find out there are at least 3 to 5 more individuals involved. Not only in this scheme but there own scheme as well. Rick, any thoughts?

Stephen I.

rick i really am a big fan of your show i just started sending in comments to you on twitter and here a month ago and you have never read my comments on twitter or here or put them in your talk to rick column on your show. but i did notice that you use the same people in your talk to rick column often so yesterday i did some simple investigation on the net and found out that those people you use often appear to be hispanic,so i checked further yesterday and most of the people you used yesterday appeared to be hispanic. i am not a racist but am very familiar with reverse racism and truly want to believe that you are genuine also.
"sean in santa rosa"

Rick,

Why can't the United States do what Germany and other European countries are doing to boost the auto industry? Any car that is 9 years old or older is being scrapped and the government is paying close to $3,000 towards a newer more greener car. Why not here?

Rick,

I wish you had asked the question "Did Britain's post-WWII spending program work?" of someone who's British. American arrogance tends to prevent people in this country from evaluating objectively what other countries do, and this tends to be most true to the extent that someone has profited from the U.S. system.

Hey Rick,
Someone at CNN should pull a copy of NC Governor Bev Purdue's State of the State speech. She offered to drive a pick-up down to South Carolina to get Sanford's stimulus money, since he doesn't want it. I think it's kind of a light hearted statement juxtaposed over the seriousness of the situation. I'm with Gov. Purdue – go get their money if they don't want it!!

Rick, why does CNN treat bush as they do, their treatment of bush is like telling the maggot "If you beat my wife and I am there, I will ask you to stop or ask you why you are beating my wife, If you beat my wife while I am not there and you are gone when I get home I will forget about if" This maggot,bush has slid on everything and is still playing the media as damn fools.

OK Rick. Madoff is in jail and by all reports he expressed some remorse. Wether real or fake, at least he said something to the people he screwed.
This Allan Stanford, who by the way, took all the money I had deposited in his bank, giving me the opportunity to start all over again, is telling the american people to "PROVE IT". I have never seen a more arrogant individual and I can only hope he ends up in prison as well. On the receiving end of some well deserved "attention" by some of the more aggressive members of the prison population. Then perhaps he will also learn how it feels to get "screwed" by a stranger.

Rick:
Boy! that was the most stuipd thing I have every heard you say on TV!
Taxing dope, promoting it's use! get real!, I have a twenty-one year old
grand-daughter Pregnant so strung out on pot that she has no idea what she has done to her baby. Still smoking dope! Telling me see even CNN is promoting pot! Man you have too much time on your hands!

Larry

Great show, I would like to know why, with all the money they have spent on Star Wars, why do they not put a laser in space and use it to redirect pieces in space. If you burn it on one side would it not be propelled in the other. From a Canadian with a thought.

I took the plunge! I'm investing in america.I just bought 100 shares of G.E. this morning.It's time to invest .don't listen to the Jim Cramers and pull your money out.It's time to have faith in our economy and Buy,Buy,Buy!

This economic mess didn't happen overnight, nor will it be corrected overnight. The economy downturn is a combination of several things that happened almost at the same time. The mortgage problem and Wall Street bank greed and corruption goes without saying. The other two economic black holes were the loss of American jobs due to US manufacturing jobs being lost to other countries (China for example), and the oil speculators running the price of oil up to $146 a barrel. All of the above working in tandem sucked the life out of the American economy. It can be fixed, but it will take political will to do it. ...........We might want to slow down buying things not made in this country. We have "Wal-Mart'ed" ourselves into a corner.

You keep talking about how long madoff will be going to jail.
Why are you not asking for the rico act so that his wife and children that were working for him lose everything. Let them lose the very things that i95billion of stollen money gave them. Their homes, their cars, their new cloths ,and expensive shoes. Let his family get thrown out on the street and let them feel how the people they stole money from fell. his family is just as guilty. He goes sto jail and they live the life of riley, on stolen property... I don't know if they should go to jail but they should loose everything, everything to repay the losses.

If Obama trust Geithner, so do I. I wouldn"t expect a numbers cruncher to be a good orator. I think Geithner is definitely more refreshing than Paullson was. Paulson was merely Bush's last effort to help his rich friends get theirs. Look at where we are as a result. Better still, we all better trust God.

Rick – Love your show, but too many commercials! We want more of you and less advertisement.

EXTRAORDINARY TIMES LEAD TO EXTRAORDINARY DECISIONS AND
LEGALIZED POT WOULD FIX ALOT OF THINGS THATS THE BOTTOM LINE

legalize it already it is so much safer than alcohol & it can bring it out of this hole we are in

Rick, The $$ aspect is obvious, but not the MAGNITUDE – How MANY billions mis-spent on the "war effort" thru the year '69 (Nixon's 1st use/"war on drugs") 'til now? THEN add in the annual tax $$ not collected in that same time span!!

Did Madoff give up because he has managed to hide billions in his wife's name?

Legalizing Marajuana and prostitution would be a huge benifit to the US economy. It would raise huge tax dollars and provide enough money to secure the borders and pay for education about truely dangerous drugs. These vices would then finally be properly controlled and monitored.

Rick,
Just decriminalizing marijuana would save the country tens of millions of dollars even if it were not taxed for a profit.

South Carolina's governor wants no federal stimulus money. How about other federal money? SC can eliminate federal interference and the rest of us can save a ton of money. Gov. Sanford, SECEDE FROM THE UNION! Honestly, who'd miss them. Save us all from your grief!

It shouldn't take a Harvard professor to tell us "it's the money motive stupid'..legalize drugs....see the cartels go broke pronto. Make those who choose to become to become addicts pay for their own re-hab from money collected from taxing the drug.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/565/new_jersey_medical_marijuana_bill_senate_committee_vote

It seems the legalizing of Pot in America is already underway. I understand it is still federally illegal but many states are very close to allowing it.

I would suggest let those states to continue the experiment and we can all see how it goes.

The pharmaceutical interest dont want you coming home after work smoking a joint,having a drink,pigging out,romping in the hay,and sleeping like a rock. Da once again its all about the money.

Rick you talk about the drugs in mexico its out of control, when US stop buying so much of that may be that will happed proablibly you stop buy too. You know all the weapon the cartel use come from US my friend so US is pat off this problem.

I think we need to pull our money out the banks and put them into CREDIT UNIONS. I know I'm in the process of doing this. Also I've decided to cash my pay check and keep it out of the hands of Tax cheaters of the BO administration who insist on spending my wealth and insist on sharing my wealth w/ the lazy liberals.

I'm sorry for all those who were ripped off but I have not seen anywhere in the main street media that these investors were gambling. It's horse racing without the horses. They invested with him because they thought they would get a big return. Instead of investing in a sure thing. I'm sorry but they got scammed big time and it's partly because of their greed. I do believe he deserves the rest of his life in jail but I hope the people wake up and invest in sure things instead of gambling. It's not Madoffs fault, it's the stupid people that thought they could gamble. Wake up.

If it sounds too good to be true, hello, it proably is.
If it seems risky, walk away invest in government bonds, a sure thing??

Am I wrong?
Daniel ........... Toronto

Legalize, legalize, it is about time.

Rick, One statement if u have kids, which would u rather give your teenager a ride home?,a person who just consumed a 12 pack or a person who just smoked a joint? go figure!

I got a comment about the marijuana situation the effect you u will have is eat,sleep,hungry,and the fun part about it you laugh a lot but they should be worried about bad drinker they do more of the damage around the world so i think it will help the money situation will help in leave the marijuana alone i think its more damage n drinking drugs is ten time worst then smoking marijuana.

Off topic, but you asked.........
Legalise marijuana, I don't think so. Considering all the damage I've seen in my life time (I'm 52) from those who "just started out with marijuana", and then went on to harder drugs, well, I just can't justify it. Alcohol is bad enough, and we don't need to add to "Pandora's Box". I don't think that it can be regulated in a realistic manner, and it will only open the door to even more drug related problems that currently plague our society.

Why are credit card companies (Banks) being allowed to raise interest rates to 30% and above?

Rick, if you stop all the illegals from coming across the boarder , it will also stop the drugs

Rick I am from the inner city of Philadelphia and many people like myself have been saying that legalizing marijuana would do just what the Harvard Professor says, maybe our elected officials should pay attention to the people that are most affected by drugs, a bad economy, education and various other problems for possible solutions. A single parent from with a limited income can do more creative things with a budget than anyone I know of and that includes the highly educated economist.

Child molestors/predators rarely serve jail time but they put people in jail for years for possessing small amounts of pot? Change is overdue.

Rick,

I say "NO" to legalizing marijuana. My husband and I have gone through "hell" trying to help our daughter that went through marijuana addiction for almost 3 1/2 years.

She's is now recovering and understands the consequences of smoking the drug. She suffered psychosis, hallucinations, depression, and mental illness. She had gone to a mental hospital three times because of the reaction from marijuana.

I'm so tired of people thinking that there's no reaction. It alters the brain (neurons) because of the high content of "THC". They say it's getting stronger comparable to cocaine. People are also adding other drugs to it. It changes their personality to being aggressive, and not caring about their goals. It takes a toll on the family tremenously!!!!

The young kids would love to have this legalize, as well as the people that haven't grown up from the "60's."

My husband and I are finally having some peace. We have always been there for our daughter. I would describe more...but, this wouldn't go through people heads think nothing of it.

Rick, I enjoy your show...but the comments were all one-sided. Read more info on it, maybe, you would understand it.

I hope to God your children don't smoke it. If they do, I'm sure you would be livid.

We're just trying to be good parents.

It's tough in this day and age when everything consumes our children with drugs.

Jim Cramer: Give me a break, everyone hammers stock analysts when they are wrong, are we really that ignorant that we think people can be right all the time. It is no different than ragging on Warren Buffet because he has had some major losses lately (like nearly everyone) yet 10k invested a few decades ago with Buffet would still be worth what? 40 million, wake up people, you can't find someone to blame for everything in your life, unless of course you look in the mirror.

Rick, I think legalizing marijuana would be beneficial to everyone and if the taxes on the marijuana didn’t help the economy….the people smoking it wouldn’t care!

I believe it is time Rick Pees in a cup. Ditto for that Harvard Prof.. Their attitude is if it is deemed bad, legalize it. That way you don't have to be accounteble. Rick has that attitude on many subjects.
Tom

Incompetance surrounds itself with incompetance.

Cramer video – it has been said that the lower cost stocks (eg siriusxm) are also being manipulated the same way as Cramer said that he manipulated the hedge funds!! They just need less money to affect the change! NOT fair to the regular folks!!!!! I would love to have a report of "Shady dealings" by the brokers!!

I lost family and friends to a drunk driver. Thousands of people are killed or injured by drunks, if you legalize marijuana then this will probably double or more. This WILL NOT help our economy.

Hi Rick

About the shooting/suicide.

One problem with taking on line "warning signs" seriously is discerning between this and highly emotional venting. Many people write highly creative and extremely emotional messages because they know that nobody will take them seriously; while it's great therapy, I agree with you that it would be nice to somehow, do something to prevent such horrible things.

Hey Rick, Yes legalize Pot and have the same laws and penalties if one is caught under the influence! If you're caught driving under the influence of pot, go to jail, fined and community service, just like a DUI. It would bring more revenue in, keep the streets clean, taxation, boost economy. If you're going to allow alcohol and cigarettes to be legal, why not pot?

marijuana all natural>>good Lord put it on this earth>>it isnot a manufactured drug>>how many people has the FDA killed. approve one that also is medically proven to help

Yolanda, I am sorry everything consuming your children is with drugs but, I think one problem with marijuana and kids is it is easier to get than alcohol.

Second, I think the idea here is to make it available as a prescription.

Both Presidents Washington and Jeferson believed Pot to be the backbone of the economy. They also used it for all sorts of PURPOSES! What ever happened to those tax cards to be issued in 1933 by President Rooselvelt? LEGALIZE ALREADY!

Dear Rick, Not only do I believe that marijuana should be legalized, I think legalization would help the economy and help generate much needed revenue and jobs and also help people who depend on it for medicinal reasons. NO ONE SHOULD BE IN JAIL FOR SMOKING POT!
Alchohol IS 100 TIMES WORST

When I worked for an airline 40 years ago, a politician ran through the gate and up the steps to an aircraft as the agent was pulling the steps away from the aircraft. He fell between the steps and the plane and broke his leg. He tried to blame it on the airline.

There must have been a call girl on the other side of the door at the airport...

It should be obvious by now that interdiction never has worked and is not working now. However morally repugnant the ideal may be to some, the facts still remain. If that many people in a free society are disregarding the law, than the law is wrong. It is the only way to stop the criminal element and the violence that goes with it. The money saved on interdiction, prosecution, incarceration coupled with what we would make from taxation would be enormous. All important occupations random drug test anyway. Treat addition like a health problem not a criminal matter!

Legalize it!

Pot should be legalized, it will put drug dearler out of bizness

At least Senator Vitter paid for his own flight home, not like Botox Pelosi who is spending $$$$thousands just to fly home in a military jet. Lets email Vitter and thank him for his services in helping the taxpayers from spending their money.

NO< NO< NO,there is a genetic link with schizophernia and THC use of pre-teen and teenagers- I am an RN in Mental Health- BAD idea

I have been smoking weed since I was 26 and I am now 64 ,and it is a harmless drug. It is so much better than drinking

Its a simple fact alcohal kills more then weed does,so it cant be a matter of concern for life,what is it then???let the people decide their outlits as long as they can controll themselves.

I'd like to give a week without Mexicans a try. Illegal aliens are illegal aliens.

Of course we should legalize pot. I'll never see it my lifetime...or will I?
I thought I'd never see a black president either in my lifetime. my my how things do change

Yes, marijuana should be legalized - the only way to control it is to regulate it.

Rick, legalize. No more Gov't operations in Ca. raiding leagal buisnesses.

i think smoking pot should be legalized if Michel Phelps won 8 gold metals,and there are 0 deaths recorded each year for pot why not legalize it??

There are appx 1 million people in jail for nonviolent crimes involving pot possession and or cultivation. That is a lot of people and at what cost to America?

Yes!!!
Legalizing Marajuna would be profitable and smart. We all have choices to make, if legalized, that's just another choice we have to face.
Tax this product, legalize!

Not only should marijuana be legalized and high taxed, for school reform, BUT hemp should also be cultivated. The construction industry would benefit, and cause more jobs to open up. We would also then have America Made clothing, and so much more from hemp. Legalizing marijuana would immmensely help the population of people that deal with chronic pain that do not want to become addicted to pain killers....not to mention, it's also great for the ozone!

The era of Reefer madness is over, prohibition never worked, it just made thugs rich and created violence. People of this country have never had a chance to choose over alcohol, most prefer not to drink but to find themselves in the underground of society to purchase something that grows naturally.

The influx of money would be tremendous and would be considered a cash cow. Law enforcement could concentrate on the hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin and this would also relive the burden placed on our judicial and penal system.

The surprise would be that hard drugs would not be as in demand as they are now and that the violence that is inherent with gang controlled substances would also diminish. Keep honest working people away from the underground and you will keep the temptation of experimenting out of the equation.

Finally some good news, the DOW is up and Bernie Madoff is going to jail.

I think that this Saturday, we should show our support for President Obama, the economy (and ourselves) by showing some confidence and spending some money. This is not to make light of our economic woes, but we need to take an evening off from this economic turmoil.

Enough BAD NEWS...let's have dinner on the DOW! It’s our civic duty!

Nancy

I don't use it, but I know many people who do smoke marijuana recreationally from time to time. It doesn't seem to hurt them in any way. Also, non-violent users in prison should be released.

yes, I believe mariauna should be legalized. I believe alcohol and cigarettes, far outway harm to a person body than mariauna

I wish stupidity was a crime!!! because there would be alot more people in jail!!LEGALIZE IT,AND THE TAX DEFICITE WOULD BE GONE BEFORE OBAMA IS OUT OF OFFICE!!!

Rick, I wonder how many of the "pro legalization" of marijuana are users themselves?. How many are parents that have had a child heavily involved in pot use and have witnessed the progression to more destructive drugs (a predictable event) like meth, cocaine, crack, and the total loss of interest in any productive and constructive
endeavor.
As a parent who experienced all of the above with a child that at 42 still functions emotionally and psychologically as a 20 year old, my question would be: Are we going to trade off our kids for tax revenues?
Harmless it is NOT.
Any reference to "our moral compass" is a lost point since our society hasn't demonstrated a positive one in at least 40 years.
Legalize pot? Hell NO!

ive been smokin weed since 5th grade. and out of 3 kids i ended up being the most responsible one. i take care of my mom, a brother&support my own family. dont think i would of lasted long if it would of been alchohol!!

Legalize marijuana? Sure, why not. It doesn't hurt anybody right? WRONG, my son started with marijuana, not alcohol, and ended up dying from a drug overdose at 26. But that's okay, right?

Oboma's high ratings? Please tell me who is polled. I can't seem to find anyone in my area (Ohio) who would agree.Big photo op with the police recruits and not mentioning that 150 had already been laid off in that city. Those 150 probably had families and would more than likely want in on the receiving end of the stemulus money. Do the people in the unemployment lines,people living in storage facilities,or the people who have had their electricity shut off get to be polled? No need to be on TV I would just like to know how they arrive at these figures.

I WONDER;AS WE TRY TO SOLVE THE ISSUES OF OUR SURVIVAL HERE ON EARTH;IF WE COULD POSSIBLY STOP SHOOTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THIN AIR.EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY WENT!WELL A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT WAS SHOY INTO SPACE RECENTLY WITH A FAILED ROCKET LAUNCH.THE ANSWER WAS TO LAUNCH ANOTHER BILLION DOLLARS INTO SPACE THIS WEEK..........STOP!!!!!!THERE MAY BE TIME LATER TO SHOOT BILLIONS INTO SPACE,I HOPE,BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME. ...............PLEASE STOP! THANK YOU,GRAMPA COOKIES

Rick, i know this is off the topic. but i am very glad that you compare Mexico's crime versus US cities. As a nation America should sweep its own floors before pretending that the floors are spotless. Lets look– total crimes US[ #1] 11,877.218 Mexico[#12]–1,516,029 Firearm-homicide-gun violence [per 100.000] US #8 Mexico #7Murders per capita Mexico #6 US # 24 [do you know what countries are inbetween?] Prisoners per capita - US #1 Mexico # 49 Adults prosecuted US #1 Mexico #27 youth crime per capita US # 9 Mexico #14 Suicide per 100,000 US # 13 Mexico not in top 20! United States have a murder rate of 726 per 100,000 that is scary, and 1 of 100 are locked up! robbery victims US # 17 Mexico not in top 20! Does Mexico have small cities like Gary, Youngstown, Flint, E. st,Louis ill,Compton Liberty City Belle Glade, Oakland etc etc . Rick i think YOU get the point America is the most murderous industrialized nation, And cannot and should not look down at Mexico as America has alot of problems ,when it comes to violence and greed!! There is alot more!!! Canada the US and Mexico should really come together and do something positve, yes, these countries have problems, but i feel if they work in a team fashion, things will get done. The citizens of all three countries are for the most part, good , honest, hard working men and women, who care for one another and extend a helping hand to those in need. I am convinced that people get along but it is the GOVERNMENTS who are unable to treat each other with mutual respect, and this affects the innocent civilian public,

Maggie, you may visit any polling website and see how each poll was conducted.

There are even a few polls who mainly take all polls available and avg their findings for a poll of polls.

I know it is hard to see your children choose drugs or alcohol over life. Unfortunately these decisions are made while the product at hand is illegal. Many children and people also choose prescription pain pills as a gateway drug.

My point is not everyone will be happy with any decision made but it is what makes the most people happy that should be the policy.

Please leagalize it already!!!! An alternative to Oil, wood for paper, medical reasons, and a whole host of other uses is needed. In addition it might ease the overcrowding in prisons and help end illeagel growing opporations in our National Forests and parks.
A new source of tax revenue might even help the budget deficit that everyone is worried about.

If we need to create revenue for our country, instead of leagalizing marijuana, which is known to lead to harder drugs, why don't we leagalize prostitution? How much could we make on that industry?

Pattie, AZ

What if they sold pot like alcohol with a potency rating on it.

Most beer is 3% or 4% alcohol by volume. You could do the same for pot maybe.

regarding making marawana legal: I think it should be made legal/then it may not be so tempting/put all the billions of $$$$ toward the victims of the Madoff ponzi scheme.

yes, yes, yes!

I just found a Dec 5, 1913 Phila newspaper behind a picture. pg#12 continued from pg#1 "Drugs & Alchohol threaten the nation" is the headline. excerpts as follows: 400,000 lbs. of opium consumed annually is 15 times that consumed by Germany, Italy & Austria combined. 150,000 oz of cocaine each year in US. 23% of doctors in US are addicted to morphine.Alcohol causes epelepsy when parents drink. In 1908 drunkeness cost $3,000,000,000.
I wish I had also found page #1. I would send a copy of this to you if you provide an address.

O'bama is shooting himself in the foot again, talking about raising capital gain taxes, taxing the rich, watch the stock market tomorrow!
One thing about loosing your ass! you have lots of deductions and pay little to the goverment! I wonder if Warren Buffet will use his losses? How much do you think he'll pay in taxes.

pattie really sorry bout ur son. im turning 27 today and like i said ive smoked weed since i was in 5th grade and still do. every1 is responsible for theyre own decisions. not cartels, not my mom, nobody but urself. i think what we could do better as parents is educate every1 about every kind of life situations. the good and bad that comes with every decision a person makes. mayb then this world wouldnt b so corrupt!!

Hey Rick did i see a message in spanish in the lower portion of the screen? I did not understand it obviously but it seemed spanish.
I just hope this is not an attempt for CNN to start catering to illegals (the only latinos that dont speak English yet live here and pump our resources)
Please can CNN be all-English

HIP HIP HOORAY!!! YES YES YES!! Your Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron guest today is absolutely correct about the need to legalize and/or at least decriminalize the use of marijuana IMMEDIATELY.
I have stated for years that our government is making a huge mistake by allowing these antiquated laws to stay on our books. There are so many reasons to stop this insanity that it's almost too much to comprehend. It would not only make billions of dollars to help us pay down our debt, but also stop the ridiculous prosecution and jailing of basically harmless individuals simply "taking a toke" that does not hurt anyone near as bad as ALCOHOL, which is considered to be socially acceptable and taxed appropriately. I am wondering if his estimate of making $78 BILLION dollars a year from legalization includes the extra costs of burdening our court system with prosecution, cost of actual incarceration, and ruining the life of MANY people who have permanent criminal records from these arrests that can keep them from getting jobs FOREVER!! What about ALL the people in jail NOW for convictions of ridiculous charges that we are paying for, and releasing inmates from our overcrowded jails that have done actual dangerous horrible crimes that harm society. It is ONLY because the representatives making our prohibition laws from 1935 that failed to consider how to tax it properly and figure out a way to make positive steps toward avoiding the problems we now face. I doubt that they envisioned Mexican drug cartels coming into AMERICA and killing our citizens that are now their competition from simply growing marijuana on land that is productive from their efforts. The best way to put ALL of these Mexican and other marijuana drug cartels out of business is to make their product unnecessary. WE created 70 years ago the monster that is now out of control...WAKE UP AMERICA! We have been misinformed and manipulated our entire life by allowing these various handpicked "studies" to make us believe that marijuana leads to hardcore drug use and escalates crimes against humanity. CRAP! CRAP CRAP!! I would like to see the study of comparisons between people consuming alcohol and then driving on public highways versus people "smoking a joint" and driving or being in public. Our society is so misinformed it is unbelievable. Too many do gooders that believe that legalization would somehow be worse than allowing this insanity to continue and take advantage of the BILLIONS of dollars it would put into our financial system. How about all the farmers it would put to work? I believe that 78 billion is the tip of the iceberg when considering the TOTAL of everything connected to legalization. My guess is that Alcohol lobbyists are probably the main objectors to legalization. I guarantee if a pro legalization person was somehow able to be a Presidential advisor and laws were changed the overall affects would be INCREDIBLE! The list of overall positives that could be achieved from legalization would be mind boggling! It would also allow our police to concentrate on the REAL scumbags dealing in crack, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and other substances that truly create huge problems and do real harm to our society. This is the best idea I have seen yet toward making real progress. I am an over 60 year old cancer survivor with a sharp brain living in a no tolerance state. I'm not just a young person looking for another high or way to beat the system. Let the police both in our individual states and federal DEA agents concentrate on REAL CRIME that is creating more horrible problems every MINUTE of every day!! . The demand will NEVER go away. Therfore we must deal with this problem correctly and make it a positive financial step for our country. Legalization does not send any worse message to our young people than selling alcohol in almost every grocery, gas station, pharmacy, etc etc in this entire country! Amazing that is has taken us reaching the brink of a depression to reconize the problem and hopefully address the issue!

Bernie Madoff sent to jail for 3 years??? WHY!!
He bilked billions and billions of dollars. Now we will have to spend I don't know how much to support him.
Let him work for the people he STOLE from.

To all who haven't researched at all, have no personal experience, and don't care to enlighten themselves about marijuana truth:

I am 25 years old. I have been smoking pot regularly since I was 15. I am not schitzophrenic, have no mental illness, have never tried any other drug (except alcohol, which has had much worse effects on me), and am on a great path to success in life. I am about to graduate from college with my bachelors' degree, which I have earned in the evenings and on weekends via online classes after I get home from my full time office job. Despite my full schedule, I get A's and B's in my senior level college coursework. Marijuana has not made me lazy, irresponsible, stupid, or any other accusation that ignorant people like to spout. I simply like to put a little bud in my bong when I get home from a long day of work, class, and homework. It helps me relax from the stress of the day, much like people use alcohol. I do this when I am home for the evening, not driving or endangering anyone. So how does this hurt ANYBODY? If it hurts my lungs, that should be my choice just like it is the choice of cigarette smokers. No one else is affected by my decision, so why is it illegal? That just turns an otherwise successful law-abiding citizen into a criminal.

Oh, and Pattie? I guarantee your son did not die of a marijuana overdose. There has never been such a case documented in history. If your son chose to do hard drugs, I am very sorry that he made a stupid decision but don't blame it on marijuana. As painful as it is, you have to blame it on your son. I have smoked pot for 10 years and never done any hard drug ever. I don't even know anyone who has done hard drugs, but I know lots of pot smokers.

I see all these posts which claim that maijuana has ruined lives of people, the facts are that going underground to purchase marjuana exposes people to bad elements and harder drugs.

As far as blaming this substance for runing lives, I don't belive this is so. These people who lack any self control are the same ones who would ruin their lives with some other drug or substance, including alcohol. These people are what is termed "addictive personalities" and there is nothing that will keep them from experincing a high no matter how detrimental it is to their health or how it affect others around them.

The Temprence movement tried to solve this problem with prohibition and it created crime and violence. The nature of humans is that most like the experience of a altered state of mind, either it be alchohol, marijuana, cocaine, perscriptions drugs or whatever.

This is basically a issue of not having a right to choose, I don't condone hard drugs or designer drugs but I do feel that there is a need to have a choice beside alcohol, as you see a lot of Americans do, but secretly.

Personal responsibility and our right to choose is the moral issue here. The horror stories about how marjuana has ruined lives is just a deflection to the fact that the real issue is a addictive personality. As this country has evolved from the cultural changes of the sixtiees so had the ability of the "moral" few to affect and influence the many.

Unfortunaly ingorance and a attitude of moral superiority had perpetuated the Reefer Madness Syndrome for so long. I do belive that if one where to look into the roots of reefer madness, it would not be suprising to find that the liquor companies had a influence in not giving people a choice.

To say the marijuana has ruined lives, I have to say "I don't think so".

To those who oppose:

Let's talk about cancer patients in chemo therapy. Their quality of life varies from relatively active and somewhat healthy and may decline to bedwritten and suffering. THC pills lost in a comparison test to actually smoking marajauna. Smoking marajauna subsidized the unfortunate side effects of cancer patients significantly more than the THC pills. Smoking marajuana worked better by reducing pain and discomfort AND stimulating their appetites. So who are you to say what someone's quality of life should or should not be?

Not to mention how it would be a step in the right direction towards fixing the economy. I don't see how anyone could argue against that, I don't care who you are. If marajuana becomes legal I can definately see how the stock market would being skyrocketing.

And there's always...what about the children?? The message to the kids?!? Sorry folks, have you checked you're children's Ipods lately? They know whats going on. A lot of popular songs are about drugs and alcohol. Perhaps you could just be a good parent and prepare your child for situations they may come into in their life and how to handle them initially and it would be a non-issue.

We aren't raising your kids, you are. : ]

There's very little reported birth defects from using marajauna. However, it's cigarettes that you must be concerned with. Just watch "SuperHigh Me" It will explain all the health aspects a whole lot better to the 'anti-mary jane' folks.

Also, The pothead is never the guy to start a fight, that's the drunk.
(legalizing pot will result in reduced violence)

I personally do not like to go out and drink at all. I do not enjoy being drunk. People who haven't smoked pot seem to be confused that smoking pot and being drunk are the same, and they're definately not. Drinking too much will definately lead to a slew of bad decisions. At the end of the day I would much rather relax, eat a good dinner, smoke a joint, and fall asleep. Now what's the harm in that?

Moderation is key here people. Don't drink, just smoke when you get home, and only a little. You'll save your liver, you won't get a DUI, and I guarantee you'll enjoy yourself.

Who cares if it's marajauna is highly taxed? I would without a doubt pay the extra dollars to get a few moments peace of mind. In todays busy world, anxiety tends to get the best of all of us resulting in depression and isolation. People are overworking themselves left and right, especially since we are desperate for whatever working hours we can get. People need a break. People like to slow down at the end of the day. This would reduce 'downer' drug perscriptions and it's popularity...and hopefully leading to a lower prices on Rx because of high supply low demand.

– Marajauna has no lethal dosage. But gues what does? Rx perscriptions and alcohol sure do! There's overdosing on pills and dying from alcohol poisoning...but pot will never kill you.

Lastly, the average cost for one housed inmate is $30,000 a year. I'm not comfortable with knowing that I'm paying for someone who doesn't deserved to be locked up in the first place. Time is money, and I would much rather that officials spend the time that I'm paying them for by shutting down meth labs and locking up coccaine users. Now that's money well spent!

The hardcore drugs are the ones you need to worry about. People say, 'oh marajauna is a gateway drug'. I've been smoking pot for years, and only pot. I have no interest in anything that is synthetic or made in a bathtub. Sorry.

I can't believe alcohol is legal and pot isn't.

If you're not a drinker, you don't buy alcohol.
If you're not a pot smoker, you don't buy pot.

No one is making you smoke it, and it doesn't concern you, so why be opposed to fixing the economy?

WHY WILL NEWS MEDIA NOT ADDRESS THESE IDEAS?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN NOT GO BANKRUPT; IT HAS THE POWER TO CREATE MONEY (ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, OF THE CONSTITUTION).
HOW CAN THE INTELLIGENTSIA OF AMERICA BE SO BLINDED that they cannot see that the Federal Government must have a money system that can create and maintain an equivalent ratio of money to the goods and services that its peoples’ hands and minds can produce? Nature’s Basic Law of Economics states: All goods and services flow from the action of people resources on natural resources— Money is the medium of exchange which should be equal to the value of the goods and services—and not to a gold standard or some other insane idea.
MONEY FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND DEFENSE
The question should be: are there people resources and natural resources available for both? Money can be created (Article 1, section 8, of the Constitution). When are we going to wake up?
We don’t have to be a NATION OF ECONOMICS IDIOTS.
HOW TO GET THE ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK IN A FLASH BY GIVING 535 BILLION DOLLARS TO THE STATES
Give each state one billion dollars for each member of Congress– which would distribute the money equally among the states. States could keep all of their employees, and they could add a few more. They could create millions of new jobs by getting a lot of needed projects going. The Federal Government has the Constitutional authority to create new money. It doesn’t need to borrow it from China or anyone else. Giving 535 billion dollars to the states makes more sense than giving two or three trillion dollars to the banks.
TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH AND FLOAT DRIED UP MONEY SUPPLY When the rich get tax cuts, they don’t put it under their mattress; but what they do with it has the same effect. They store it as bytes on computer chips. They don’t spend the money that’s needed to moves goods and services.
The efficiency of the clearing houses for financial institutions has dried up trillions of dollars in float. You can’t beat a check to the bank any more. Debit cards, paying bills on line, buying on the internet with Pay Pal and the many other ways that money can instantly be taken out of bank accounts has dried up the money supply. When you could beat a local check to the bank and when it took an out of town check ten days to clear the bank, there were billions of dollars that could be spent by the depositors and billions that could be loaned out by the banks. WHERE ARE THE ECONOMISTS?

Interesting I comment on your yes or no question regarding legalizing Marijuana and instantly I was followed by Hemp News. Never quite connected the Tweeter effect quite so clearly before. Point of interest only.
Great show, you do a wonderful job.

Legalize marijuana? Treat it the same way legally that we do alcohol ? Yeah, and we do such a good job of that !! Our roads are already too dangerous from Poly Drug Abusers and Alcoholic idiots. All we need is to add another segment of our population to that sorted mix that can't control their compulsions.
We as a nation will never win the drug war. The American people will win the drug war on a individual basis when we decide as a culture and nation that drug abuse is wrong and destructive. Till then the Law or Lack of Law governing Narcotics and Alcohol will have no effect on the epidemic of substance abuse in Americia.

Hi, Rick
I will send you an information too, what make me very confused. I send it around, but nobody take this for important. I found in the German press an article about am. Investors in Germany. 43% of the German stuck market are in American hands. App 700 Bill. The biggest investor is located in the 53. floor of the Building of the Bank of America in New York. How can simple people understand this business? I hope you have somebody who can translate the article. Here the link:
((edited))

GET RID OF THE GOVERNOR OF SC.
The essentials of life are: a roof over your head, food on the table, clothes on your
back, lights on, water running, four wheels, cell phone, health care, a little spending
money and an income to pay for it all. The governor of South Carolina has it all, but
he doesn’t give a damn about the people who elected him. A recall should start based
on ignorance and insensitivity.

Confidence

Geithner hasnt had much chance to address anything thoroughly. Pres. Obama has initiated the most ambitious presidential agenda in modern history, and is still the most popular president in decades!! How many people even remember the names of the first-term financial teams of Reagan or even of George W ?

At the time of his Inauguration, the biggest immediate challenge identified by most media types was how was Obama going to deal with the HUGE expectations of him and his administration.

The new administration has initiated its legislative agenda in record time. The fiscal team have been working towards a restructuring plan. The Opposition's obstructionist reaction has been shortcircuited and the G-20 Summit is only a few weeks away.

Things in the recovery are keeping apace!! And things are moving very quickly.

Rick, YES, WE NEED TO SPEND...........STIMULUS-AN ITEM USED TO
CHANGE OR FOSTER A DIFFERENCE IN DIRECTION. THE PREZ ,
DEDICATED A HALL TO ABRA LINCOLN AT THE WAR COLLEGE...
INVITED PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO ATTEND??????
DIDN'T THEY DO THAT WITH YAMAMOTO???ATTENDED HARVARD,
AND INTERNED AT DOD, TOO!!!!!!!!!! BOBBY JANDEL-NO MONEY
FOR ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS...WHOSE NEXT AFTER SESAME
STREET??? HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU OVER HERE??

REMEMBER THE YORKTOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd like to investigate this subject because it's beyond me."
You guys have so much power that you can reach beyond barriers"
so why haven't you persued the fact that Bush, Cheney, Ronfeld did' created our miserable stay we 're in today.
Buy sending our troops to fight a broad. not only we are broke, using our tax payers money but many of our young lives were cut short.
By the way were is General Frank ?
I think that these guys need to be call to answer if they are clean, I see not reason why to hide from the truth.
Regards VM C

I'd like to inform you of how I feel in regard of the Armed forces'
I think that many Americans don't have idea how hard they work for us.
Please use your power" go visit the Oahu, Hi army base.
IF you see so much action then you 'll understand of why all my respect i have for these people.
We need to start looking into this matter, they deserve the respect that it's earned big time.
Regards. VM

What the hell?!! I posted my comment earlier and it is not here. What is this bs censorship?!! All the idiots who have no idea what they're taking about get their comments posted but because I disagree mine is deleted?!! I declare shenanagans on CNN!! Anyone who watches South Park will understand that ref. DO NOT delete this post! This is America and I want my opinion to be heard!

I am 25 years old and have smoked pot for 10 years pretty consistently. I have never tried any other drug (except alcohol, which affected me way worse), have never had any mental health issue, and I am one of the smartest, most driven individuals I know. I have been working towards my bachelors degree at Kent State University for the last 7 years, and I am about to graduate. It is taking so long because I have no help to pay for it and have to work a full time job. I take part-time classes online and in the evenings. I earn all A's and B's while working 40-50 hrs per week. Don't tell me how stupid and unmotivated I am, because you don't even know me. It makes my day to come home after a long, tiring day, when I'm home for good and not driving anywhere, and put a beautiful green sticky bud in my bong. It helps me relax, similar to how some use alcohol. Who is that hurting?

To the lady who thinks her son died of a drug overdose because of weed: No one has ever died of a weed overdose. If your son chose to do hard drugs, that was a stupid decision that was caused by stupidity, not marijuana. I have smoked for 10 yrs and never done any other drug.

Oh, and to the couple who thought their daughter was "addicted" to marijuana: Come on, get real. It's been proven that marijuana is not addictive. You fed your daughter lies and brainwashed her in order to control her behavior. You should be ashamed.

Your right it is our money! Rick, check out bill HR 1207 which has bi partisan support, to audit the Fed!

Its sad to see you are in CNN. I was hoping you would know better after seeing your own people (Cubans) wanting a change and getting what we're seeing now. I have tried to be opened minded, but the more I see CNN ,CNBC . The more I'm convinced that you and others there are bias, and on another note, I remember when Clinton was having an affair with his wife and daughter in the next room under his own roof, you guys hardly touched the issue I could almost hear your cries. If that would have been Bush, you would have had is head. You guys in the "News World" think we're not listening but your ratings are saying otherwise.

God Bless

Rick,
John Stewart ate a hole into CNBC, Cramer and the Wall Street Idiots. This man's common sense and truthful reality of where Wall Street really gets the money from that they carelessly play with ( the working class people ) is finally out. The theft of America happened on Wall Street with George Bush's wealthy friends in the Munitions market ( the war ), Oil companies ( high gas prices ), Banks and Fake 401k Company Investors. Don't blame the repairman ( Obama ) because you let your water over run the sink ( for 8 years ) and now the house is ruined.
Laugh now Republicans you're Jobless and Homeless too !

Dang Hector ....that should send quite a message–DON"T DRINK
SMOKE WEED. Wow!

Rick, have u heard that a fund manager for the tsp gov employee investment fund was arrested for essentially stealing from gov workers.

KIll TWO MYTHS
If America could kill two myths, she could easily manage the economy.
The idea that the money supply shoud be tied to a gold standard or some other insaned idea like borrowing money from China or Cuba
in order to expand the money supply, rather than by Article 1, Section 8,
of the Constitution is absurd.
.
The other myth is that business has a right to get what ever the traffic will bear and calling this theft inflation –which is a euphemism theft.

A Departmentof Consumer Affairs would put an end to price gouging by big oil and other big businesses.

Jon Stewart is a genius. Is it fake news host's responsibility to bring out the truth? What is the media doing?

The President wants us to spend and not to be afraid of the economy, are people in Washington so out of touch with what is happening? After the price of oil went up so did the price of everything, groceries, clothing and everything else under the sun. The prices have not come down after the drop in oil prices, the entities that have raised their prices need to parallel the real cost of manufacturing with the resale price. I understand they call this "sticky prices", the justification has passed and now is the time to stop thinking about the shareholder and start thinking of what they are doing to help contribute to ruining the economy.

Gasoline is creeping up and so is the price for heating our homes, if this goes unchecked there will be even less disposable cash for people to infuse into the economy. The majority of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and have little leeway.

As consumers we need to group together and send a message to these companies that we have had enough, I know that singling out a company for boycott has never worked in the past, but the catalyst is near and the climate is ripe for this type of action.

Let me list what has gone up in the past year, gasoline, fuel oil, electricity, propane, health insurance, groceries, clothing and taxes.
This is just general items, add in the hidden increases and it add up to quite a bit of money.

As more people are losing their jobs, I just see this whole bad economy thing snowballing, The housing issue is not the major issue here, it is everybody and their brother sucking money out of our pockets. Freeze the prices before this gets much worse.

And by the way, one question...who decided for all of use to not offer pension plans and only give us 401K's as a retirement policy? Again the choice has been removed from the American public.

Lets forget about the ball game, the reality shows and focus on the things that really matter and affect us all.

United we stand, divided we fall.

No small change in the DOW will change my mind comrades. Still a socialist ....

For a while now, Pres. Obama has been talking down the economy. Since he's taken office, we've lost trillions in the market, all the while he was predicting doom and gloom. Now that the spending bill, I mean stimulus bill, has passed, NOW he's speaking hope again. HM?

Rick, if you listern to Lou Dobbs, Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, Macain and Sarah Palin or Ann Colter, you will hear the word socialist ,refering to Obama , mentioned several times.

Rick, I find it hard to believe that you think Republicans are all right wing conservatives. Most of the ones I know are very educated, many like myself pro-choice and anti-government overspending. We are for people taking responsibility for their actions. We are the real republicans and probably the majority of republicans, but forgotten about by media who would rather stereotype us.

BTW...was listening to yur show this afternoon and the word is HIPPOCRATIC oath NOT Hippocritic!!!!

If the Government can oversee the stimulus money being spent, then we as the taxpayer should be able to borrow our own money. We could all who file taxes every year get 1 to 2 milllion a peice. The government can oversee that we take the money and first pay off or put current our morgages, car payments etc. or anything that needs to be payed off that is negative on our credit scores. We can supply receits or proof when we file taxes. The rest that we have we can put in banks and pump money back into the economy. Jobs can be created at a faster pace. The baks get back their money from loans. As long as we have to show proof to the government, we can all get back on our feet. Yes history repeats itself. Its obveous the old system will not work. This one time system will work.
Thank Rick Kahl , Gobles Michigan.

Rick, what's Oprah going to do now that her friend BeBe Winans has been allegedly accused of domestic violence?

The bear have been trap. Save America now please, buy some stocks is a bull market!!!

The US must do somthing about the drug war now before its to late because the states can not aford a other war Espacially so close to home

Rick, what is the US GOV waiting for? Let's get some military to the US/MEX border.

the lawyer was only during that in front of the press the hulk body slammed andre the giant so the lawyer is no match.

if they're not a fail state why are millions of they're people coming to the u.s. to get away from it.

laura from current shows how lame the more mainstream telemedia talking heads are... RICK. msm is directly responsible for the misdirection misinformation and miseducation of the american and world public. it's the management and ownership of the media, folks. watching pbs, bbc, current and world view is such a gift of priviledge. we are so lucky to be able to compare and see right through the attempts at entertainment and pandering to public consumer tastes by this industry. always irresponsible. the john stewart and cnbc tussle makes the reality of this so obvious. thank your lucky stars that there is still a modicum of altruism left amongst some media.

Good for you Rick – finally a show exposing the spear fishermen who killed a tiger shark "out of necessity" as nothing more than attention-seeking promoters. They had ample opportunity to "escape" by simply getting out of the water and while they had lengthy video of the slowly dying shark, they failed to provide any evidence that they were ever in any danger from it in the first place. This is a truly sad display of our attitude towards and treatment of sharks, which have been wrongly vilified and which will soon disappear from the oceans due to our greed and ignorance.

Mr. Sanchez, Ms. Ling is incorrect on several points she tried to make about the violence in Mexico. While Mexico is a large economy;
after it's oil exports, it is remittances from the US that keep the country afloat. Simply put, Mexico could not continue without the cash coming from the US into it's economy. Mexico is not the US's largest supplier of oil. That would be Canada. If Mexico does not (and it appears it will not any time soon) change it's enegry policy, it will cease to be able to keep up with demand from it's partners in trade. While many in Mexico and certainly Pres. Calderone know this, it is the power of the unions and the very vocal masses that prevents Mexico from moving forward. Sadly, Mexico is a basket case, and yes the US plays a huge role in everything that hurts(and helps) the country. Ultimatly though it is Mexico that must swallow some of it's pride and accept that it must change it's energy policy.

what about U.S. corruption. How does this huge amount of drugs get into the country and is distributed and dealt, how does the money get laundered, and illegal weapons sold and transported from here to Mexico

hey rick, as far as mexico goes, remember the alamo...

RE: Doctors who allegedly overprescribed drugs for A.N. Smith

You said hypocritic oath.
It's Hippocratic Oath – derived from Hippocrates, a Greek doctor.

It sounded like hypocritical, derived from hypokrites – Greek for stage actor, or one who is not who he pretends to be.

Although, you may have said it tongue in cheek.

Rick:

This weekend, the economic ministers of the G-20 will be meeting in England to lay the way for the G-20 Summit in early April.

Pres. Obama's economic team will be central to whatever is decided in advance of the Summit. American's confidence in Geithner and the fiscal team will become increasingly important in how the restructuring initiatives will be received by Wall Street and by Main Street.

Again, it's premature to evaluate Geithner or to put some definitive label on his performance so far. I think the new administration will continue to move very quickly on huge issues. I think that the global "New Deal" is going to be reality.

And I for one will be waiting avidly for any news of the economic/ finance ministers meeting this weekend!

I'm kinda hoping I dont have to watch BBCWorld for any reference to the meeting!! (deary me!!??)

Rick,

Many American reporters/commentators like to point out that Mexico’s murder rate is about TWICE the murder rate of the United States. (BTW – it has been reported that many of the guns used are illegally smuggled in from the States.)

A few are using the higher murder rate to promote tougher immigration enforcement to stop 'illegal aliens' from bringing the crime wave north across the border. ....Very commendable!

Well, I would like to point out that the U.S. murder rate is about TRIPLE Canada's murder rate. (BTW – it has been reported that many of the guns used are illegally smuggled in from the States.) ...Any comments?

Rick, HOW DO YOU GET A COMMENT,ANSWER OR THOUGHT FROM
YOU??????? I HAVE PUT SEVERAL COMMENTS ON DEC 15TH BUT
IT DOES SHOW THE FEB. DATE I MADE THE COMMENT; I TRIED YESTERDAY, STILL NOTHING!!!!!!!! I DID NOTICE OTHERS WHO HAVE COMMENTED WITH NO REPLY.....WHEN IT READS YOUR COMMENT IS IN MODERATION,WHAT IS THAT? IT WAS THERE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I DON'T TWEET, I HAVE NOT JOINED TWITTER BECAUSE OF SECURITY CONCERNS; IF I HAVEN'T TWITTED DOES THAT KEEP YOU FROM ANSWERING COMMENTS FROM THE WEB EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS ANSWERED FROM X HOURS OR MINUTES OR EVEN DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A TWITTERER, HOW DOES YOUR SYSTEM MAINTAIN ITS SECURITY AFTER YOU
HAVE TWITTENED????????

REMEMBER THE YORKTOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey you idiotic liberal scum of the earth vermin. Why don't you get the hell back to the miserable country your ancestors came from? Why do you hate the USA so much ? All you liberal animals will learn the hard way when this country will go your way and there will be nothing left of it. By the way , Obama is not a Socialist, he is a Marxist and he will go down in history as the worst President ever. In the mean time you filthy liberal pig, go and shtup your boy friend.

so rick when did you get your letter asking to bail out g.m or the banks land of the free or free to do what the government tells you to do

re:micheal steele the rep.need to seperate church from governing remember the inquisition the crusades one persons beliefs should not infringe on anothers as a country as diverse as ours theres no place for religon in politicss only church because for all we know our gods may be one in the same

as an american who's smoked pot i feel i should say the only times i've been arrested have all been due to alchohol not due to pot i never robbed stole or hurt anyone high although i have while drunk for which i'm sorry to anyone i hurt booze is the real gateway drug the only reason it's legal our polititions make to much money from it and possibly drink just as much

I am getting tired of reading and hearing how " AMERICA" is the problem in Mexico. How "AMERICAN" guns are the problem in Mexico. How "AMERICANS" addicted to drugs are the problem ion Mexico. How "AMERICAN" citizens being targets of Kidnappers are the problem in Mexico.

These people in Mexico make their own choices whether to be law abiding or become criminals. You can not blame the temptations of easy money from criminals in " AMERICA" as the cause of this Mexican Civil/Drug war any more than one can blame McDonald's for their heart attack. We as individuals make our own choices in life. What road we chose in not the responsibility of anyone else but ourselves.

Stop blaming " AMERICA" for everything you might perceive as wrong in this world of ours.

If you can't see the reality of human nature being what it is; opportunistic, then go back to school and learn something this time.

It's not " AMERICA" that is the problem in Mexico its the bad people who live there.

Stand up for "AMERICA". Stand up and defend her. If you cant stand up for her, then you will fall for anything.

There was a stat out today that socialist obama was said 40 times in a day on the news channels. I think it was 4 by all except Fox who said it 20 times

DrewK
Thanks. I'm old in years but new to this computer business.

Rick,
As a staunch supporter of the second ammendment, Its time for Americans to educate themselves about protection especially in the use of firearms. It doesn't take much thought that criminals prey on unarmed people which is the definition of a victim. This drug war is moving into the US. and it would be irresponsible for us as citizens to ignore it.

I have in the past commented to Rick Sanchez , AC360 and directly to CNN about many issues that affect us Americans.
This will probably be the last time. Why?
This is all good for “soundboarding” but that’s about all it’s good for.
I have in the past and will once again challenge CNN to show their “$$ viewers $$” how these comments really have help any of our (Americans) real issues.
Put up or shut up CNN!

A. Maes

There are lots of folks with fixed incomes living in places where there are jobs available. Perhaps we could arrange for a temporary housing exchange - a voluntary non-worker temporarily changes homes with an involuntary non-worker who lives in an area where there are no jobs. Say there's a great green job in Montana, but I live in California. Well, my goodness, why not offer a frozen Montana a year or two in California in exchange for living in a home where there are jobs. Maybe work through Craig's List, or form a separate website just for this.

I love seeing you guys work on ways to help rather than just focusing on nonsense.

I am a pharmacist in North Carolina and I believe if the Lending
institutions used a strategic effort to help homeowner to stay in their
home in stead of rushing to foreclosure, this real estate crisis would
have been avoided. Why didn"t the lenders use the owner equity as
payments toward mortgage payment. This process would have
prevented foreclosure, widespread housing depreciation, and bank
failures. Senario: homeowner house has market value $200,000:
outstanding principle $150,000 ; real equity $50,000 and has a
monthly mortgage $2,000 . If homeowner became penny poor, each
month the lender , if possible, could decrease real equity ( $50,000 -
$2,000= 48,000 ) and increase principle ( 150,000 + 2,000= 152,000)

When is a network going to have Barney Frank and Chris Dodd on and play their remearks about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and acutally ask them how they screwed it up so bad. Hell, Chris Dodd got a loan or two 1% below prime and He and Obama were one and two on Fannie Maes campaign contribution list. I know they are democrats and its agaianst the rules for the media to ask a tough question to their liberal bosses, but I would really like to hear Dodd and Frank answer for their crimes.

If anyone actualy thinks that the violence from mexico has yet to spill over they are crazy. I would reffer any person that thinks the violence is contained to mexico watch the episode of the first 48 on A&E where a hitman is sent from mexico to kill a mexican singer that fled mexico. They find him in dallas and pump the singer full of lead. The dallas detecitves catch the hitman the lesson i learned from this the cartels just work a different angle in the u.s.a. in mexico it's all out warefare gangs,cartels, and anyone with a gun are on the lose down there. In america it is more of a covert war they want there money and they dont want to attract to much attention but they can kill any person they please in america and they do. Thet may ship in a hitman they may hire or intimidate a hispanic gang but they get who they please.

Based on what my family has been through for the last 3 years, the Catholic Church in Washington State are the money changers that Christ needs to drive out of HIS church. I have seen them outright lie, ommit the truth when convenient all for power and money and not for the glory of God. They have financially ruined a family so that they can build a multi-million dollar complex that they do not need in a blue collar neighborhood. Where is the justice in that? When a priest lies to your face, you are stunned. Trust me. They also had a pedophille priest at this paris which no one in Vancouver, WA has ever spoken of in the media. They do not respond to injustice, compassion or empathy. Anything you say during confession is readily used against you.

Thank you for reading this.

Arlene

Rick – regarding the border
I agree both sides of the story have not been told like:
I believe the Mexican people have a right to be angry because the US buying the drugs supplies the drug lords with guns and money

I believe if the Mexican Govt really wanted to stop the flow of guns and "money" they would join the US in controling the borders on both sides, but I don't see this happing so ....

Nobody is telling the whole truth and you should also try to tell both sides even when you don't like it
A more secure border benifits all

I dont see How Giving Banks more money and them turning around and giving 165 million of our money to their bonuses. is going to help stimulate anyone. I for one am tired of this country giving eveything we have worked all our lifes for, They turn around and let all these people sneek in here and we have to change for them? I think its time for the american people to say that we have had enough.Our government is not protecting us, or caring in any way that will even help the people who really need it.

Hi Rick
I think our economy could be helped by the imposition of the national 55 mph. on our nations highways. This course of action would save the US. many $$. Lives would be saved driving down health care cost, Gasoline consumption would certainly drop, resulting in cutting into our budget deficit. Of course the full measure of benefit is yet to be determined. It worked before. Why not Rick?

Where's the Catholic church? Isn't the majority of Mexico catholic? If it's truly Christ church, the pope a successor of Peter,wouldn't the people listen to him?Of course when a religion has a history of hypocrisy and duplcity such as the Catholic chruch it's no wonder that that the flock follows the same courske father like son.

AIG making the top story again, bonus payments again to top earning employee's....new catch line I assume....binding legal obligations is the term that was released in the statement....time to replace the Treasury Department top officer....an time to stop giving our money to companies in trouble an paying out bonuses of any kind....you paying out a bonus, then your making money, where is OUR MONEY BACK, the taxpayers of America??? that is what should be coming from the Treasury Department....time to start collecting OUR MONEY and putting it in the right pockets that need it the most

Rick , what is happening in this country today is why we went to war with the red coats so the history books say. The government of this country better wake up quick and start spending our money very wisely!! I am sure there are people out there like me that are tired of paying taxes and it going to banks and companies who made bad judgments and expect the people to bail them out. I wander what the government would say if every American quit paying federal taxes. I think those in Washington better read there history books again because we all know what happen the last time when the people got tired of being screwed by a government. People will only put up with so much!!!!

OPEC member countries are meeting to either reduce oil production or increase oil prices, or both.

The G 20 countries are also meeting.
Tell me why the G 20 cannot make a deal to buy oil at their set price. OPEC in one day would comply as where would their production go? They do not have storage.

The G 20 Should be one buyer for it's members?

Very Simple.

Addressing Oil Prices

The oil price was up to about 150 dollars a barrel.

The price dropped below 40 dollars a barrel.

All other businesses would be bankrupt.

Why did this not happen to all oil producers?

Do you think their prices are criminal?

I do!

correction

Hi Rick,
I watch your show every day, along with alot of others on CNN. This is my first time commenting here. Last Wednesday, I had to pay in to the IRS over $1600 dollars for income tax. My fiance and I are so close to not being able to make budget at home. We just got a mortgage last November, which we are paying faithfully, along with a pick-up truck we bought in January. We are not beyond our means. After seeing the stories about AIG and other companies obtaining bailout money then paying huge bonuses to people in their employ, it really angers me. When will the government help the working middle class? So they lowered taxes, what will an extra 5-15 dollars a week do for me? That's nothing compared to the bonuses people are getting at AIG, people who obviously aren't worth it because the company failed, and, was bailed out with tax dollars.

There is something wrong with this system. I know President Obama is trying. I voted for him, but, I was hoping the changes made would have much more of an impact on us, the working people of the middle class. As of now, I am nowhere near satisfied with what is being done. Meanwhile, my fiance and I will faithfully pay our bills, even dipping into our retirement funds to stay ahead of things, which we will get hammered for next year in taxes.

Just watched CNN interview with Dick Cheney.....He is the poster boy for

"POWER CORRUPTS".!!!!!!!

We having been hearing for months now that we need our government leaders to say more positive remarks about the economy. Where are the CEO's of the companies that are responsible for getting us into this mess. What are their plans for revitalizing their businesses and stimulating the economy by loaning money? Where at they??????

Why won't they Media Address this Issue?

Why won't the Media address this issue??? Cause Govt Agencies Protect other Govt Agencies that's why!!! Yea, the Media is on the Govt. Payroll !! I have been Writing, emailing, faxing, News Outlets across the Country about "How disabled Veterans are being treated" with almost not responses. I also have Written to Politicians only to get the same form letter saying "SORRY TAX PAYER THAT SERVED OUR COUNTRY YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN, GOOD LUCK".

Veterans are being fired because of their disability. I am a disabled veteran of the United States Armed Forces; I was an employee of the United States Government starting in December 1992 – September 2007.Because of my Disability I had to endure constant almost daily harassment, mistreatment by my line supervisors and the upper management All of this led to me being fired.

Management Said my condition was not a "serious health conditon".

i realize this is not a story about Dick Cheney or AIG Bonuses, but being a fan of your show i wanted my comments to go to someone who cares.

who is Dick Cheney anyway. where was Cheney during the last 8 years? where was he while our president at the time stumbled over simple topics with an almost hypocritical smirk on his face. the only time i heard from Cheney was when he accidentally shot his hunting partner. i think he should think responsibly about what he says and the relevance it has to fixing the problems we face as a nation. His comments are as destructive as a misfired shotgun.

New topic: AIG Executive Bonuses.
Obviously there are two sides to this. Legal issues about the contracts, and responsible US citizenship.

Come on people, trade in your Lexus for a Ford Edge. Get rid of your nanny and have your wife pitch in around the house. Sell the summer home and give back to your local community. if the richest members of our country cannot donate some of their talent and wealth back into the local communities, our problem is not a bankrupt economy, it is that our most successful are morally bankrupt.

i operate a small design company creating logos, websites and murals. i am not rich, i often am overdrawn and pay fees to my bank (Wells Fargo) and they want to scold me after charging me fees. i have no savings, no stocks (thank god) but continue to survive doing a job i love. i give to my community often. free logo designs for the local children's hockey team, donated design work for local Rotary Club events and occasionally send $10 or $15 to the local Sheriff department. if everyone, especially the rich and powerful gave a little we could turn everything around. Proud US citizen, Mike Schopf.

I am in my 6th year of surgical training(residency). Just got my tax return. I owe 1300$!!!!! they already have $6362 of my salary from 2008....and they want more????
with 60+K in loans a family and a salary that pays close to minmum wage when you calculate an 80hr work week.....It really pisses me off that I OWE the government money... Havent they taken enough money already to bail out people who got themselves in trouble living beyond their means and also to give hefty bonuses to people on wallstreet/AIG... I take care of human lives and in more than one instance have been directly responsible for saving a life... what have they done to deserve MY money!!!!!

Rick Sanchez;

I take this opportunity to contact and to congratulate you for a great and informative broadcast; so you know, I always watch CNN news and specially follow your comments to keep myself abreast regarding the critics about president Obama. So, I’m taking the liberty to mention a few things regarding comments from people on how president Obama is doing things in order to turn around this nasty economy which he inherited from the previous administration ... The Bush administration!

It is amazing to me that in eight years of the Bush administration no one in the whole country, and specially Congress, said anything about the way he was running the country and the trillions of dollars he spent in wars we will never win such is the Middle East war. I have always believed that we should take care of our own backyard first and then do whatever is necessary for international affairs. This brings me to the topic regarding all the critics against president Obama, especially from Republicans whom have put us in this situation to begin with. In my view, president Obama is doing what no president has done in the past in such a short time and just for that I admire him for what he is trying to do and I hope he continues cleaning up, with a huge broom, the mess Bush and Congress put us in.

One of the things people should understand is that taking over banks which have abused people and lie about everything does not mean president Obama is taking our country in the path of socialism; I can see very clearly that people, specially Republicans, don’t know what socialism means and is; so, I’m spelling it out for them and hopefully you mention it during your broadcast if you see it adequate: “Socialism refers to the state ownership of everything under the sun; under a socialist ruling nobody owns anything but the state and people have no rites to question the government or give an opinion without being prosecuted and even killed”. This is not the case here in the Unites States of America as we have all the liberties under the sun practically; just because the present administration is thinking taking over those banks that have abused the tax payers does not mean we are in the path of socialism ... It means that our government does not trust these banks and want to do what previous administration have neglected to do for the people. In my opinion, this administration should take over those crooked banks and then transfer the administration to banks which have proven to be reliable and most important banks which have not abused people the way B of A and Citigroup have done. Also Wall Street should be cleaned up.

I do have lots of comments in regard what you have broadcasted about president Obama’s administration so far but it would take more than this comment to mention all my opinions and analysis regarding the situation we are in; so, I close for now as follows : People should think that ex-president Bush should have been impeached at least ninety days after taking office the first time he was elected; and if so, we would not be in such a mess! However, people were blind and stupid ... Specially Congress for playing alone. We must give president Obama all our support and confidence and probably we will see a turn around before his presidential term ends. Any economist knows that getting out of a recession, such as the one we are in, cannot be acomplised in a matter of days or months and even years for that matter ... It could take more than five years and for a full recovery more than ten taking into accounts the mess Bush left behind.

Sincerely,

Robert Murillo

Our economy wouldn't be such a disater if it weren't for the war.
Why doesn't anyone mention that we are at war and that that might be the real root of the economic crisis.

How many billions of tax dollars have been spent on the war.
Please mention this to American people.

We mention housing loans, the stock market, Bush bashing and the like...maybe it's the spending overseas?

At least bring this to the attention of the economist and to the American people.

Thanks.

in the 1000 hour this morning cnn showed a person trying to survive on food stamps and her dinner plate had a baked potato wrapped in aluminiun foil. nice try, you may want to find someone who is really hurting and cannot aford the resturant flair

Rick,

This whole AIG deal infuriates me. They hold the life insurance that my step-father has paid into for the past 30 years, now that he is old and been in the hospital recently for heart surgery, they have canceled the policy. Yet, they continue to get bailouts and bonuses, while they cancel policies on people that have paid into them for years.

He paid into that policy, so that my mother wouldn't be left out in the cold, now they are taking all that money and pocketing it also.

Rob Ward

It is NOT your money. It IS money your great grandchildren will be paying back to China!

I'm confused. Was it a secret about the AIG bonuses? Didn't anyone know this was coming?

About the aig bonuses i have had aig insurance for more than 10 years and last week they went up on my auto insurance 29 dollars a month,I guess now they are going to take it out on their policy holders. Larry Hart of long beach California thank you Good job RICK

I love that "Twitter Thing" because it's a limited invitation to join the conversation in real time. Newspapers are going broke because they offer a one-sided editorial. Television is a soapbox for bloviators. Radio preaches to the choir and passes the collection plate. If it's our money why can't we speak directly to the powers that collect and spend our money? Tweeting gives us a soundbite to try. Better than the right to remain silent. Does that # for Hey Rick work?

me and my wife have aig for car and homeowners.its crazy to see bonuses givin out why not hire people even if you need to train they can use that as a tax deduction if im not mistaken

Since when does owning 80% of a company not give you a vote? Bonuses are paid on performance, not as a matter of course. I was entitled to a bonus last year, but didn't get one because I didn't meet the terms of the deal. What kind of crap deal pays regardless of performance.

How many CEO's and Top level Execs have reneiged on "contracts" with their retirees, eliminating their pensions and their medical coverage? How many CEO's and Execs have drastically cut the pay of their employees (for example the Airlines industries). They only scream "Contract" when it affects them. When it affects their employees.....they could not care less. Give them a taste of their OWN bitter medicine! Time to put the shoe on the other foot for a change.

Rick, Cheney needs to go back to his cave. He and Bush flushed this country down the toilet. No matter how many lies they try, truth prevails. No more rewriting history.

AIG indicates that in many cases the bonuses are fixed and they are legally obligated to pay. Then why wasn't it considered salary? Were they trying to give employees a tax break by having this not count as regular income? If so the IRS should go after them too.

these guys at AIG have been playing footloose and fancy free with the banks fiances for some time, maybe its time for the IRs to check there income returns and see how they have been playing with tax returns .i don't think we would get a surprise

WHO CARES when the AIG contracts were written – if a company can no longer support itself, the bonuses / contracts should be invalid. If we did not bail them out, would there be # to give bonuses ?!?!?!?!?

Like any intelligent investor, the government should have reviewed the contracts prior to lending the money. They should have made the money contigent on no bonuses. Stop blaming everyone after the money is in the machine. Typical government--- spend then blame.

Dick Cheney's comment that the Bush administration is not responsible for the economy is like saying the person who pushes your car off a cliff is not responsible for wrecking your car.

How dare these executives take this money even if there is a contract. If they were honest/honorable people they would stand up to the plate and return the monies. People are living in tents in Calif. Food lines are increasing, the average citizen works with no bonus, no health care, no PTO, and when they are laid off are lucky to even get a severance pay. My thought is these executives need to go right along with Madoff, they are no different, the are legal crooks. There is an old saying "if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, it is probably a duck"

I feel that AIG should give the bonus to their employees with the understanding that they re-invest that bonus into the company. If the company does well,they get a percentage of the company's profit,if not theb oh well-join the rest of nthe country and suck it up

Hey Rick How in the world can those guys even think they should get a bonuse. If I don't do a good job at my work my boss is in no way going to give me a bonuse.

This whole AIG bonus situation is ridiculous. They get bonuses for failing. Auto workers are being forced to accept less and they have a union contract. So why should the AIG contract bonuses be any more sacrosanct? This is the sort of absolutely arrogant behaviour which demands big changes.

Contracts? I never offered these people contracts. If they want bonuses, then they can give our money back and then find their bonuses! Are bonuses the whole reason for a bailout. It is starting to seam that way.

Have they no shame?...evidently not. What have they done to deserve a bonus.

Rick what is the fuss about they threw the company under the bus.That is AIG.Where I work at we went with out a raise for five years and no one died.This was after 9/11.

Hi Rick, George Bush is not an evil man. He was just incompetent as President of the United States. Pres. Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex. Dick Cheney is what we were warned about. Cheney's ties to big oil and big business and his goals for them was the reason for invading Iraq. Rumsfeld's incompetency made sure that we would be at war for a long time. Karl Rove's "genius" figured out a way to make it all happen and seem right and legal. The cost in human lives of our service men and women and our treasure was immoral. The blame game? Why not? Let the chips fall where they may. If we ever have an honest investigation of the Bush administration, I'm sure some of the above would deserve jail time. However, they will find a way out. Richard in Toledo

Hi Rick....pertaining to AIG paying out those millions in bonuses, regardless what type of contract they had previous to the bailout, those bonuses SHOULD NOT BE PAID after the first bailout money was issued. Its evident this was done in a sneaky way by trickery and is no different then the CEO's of the big three, keeping their lear jets, going on lavish vacations, and throwing extravegant parties at tax payer expense, all the while laughing at us, and THE GOVERNMENT at how easy they swindled us. Its this type of credibility that destroyed our banking system, and they are still doing it and it appears they will get away with it. Our governor of Indiana, when he was elected in his first term, 3 hrs. after he took the oath of office, VOIDED a state union contract for all state workers by declaring it void. It was a contract also, and he declared it void, and nothing happened..........any bonuses before the bailout was given to AIG is one thing, but after receiving money, and continuing with millions in bonuses, is another. AIG evidently has no ethics, and its leadership has no guts..........contracts can be voided when its a duress situation and puts a bind on the economy, people, or nation. I'd say, this is very much a duress situation and needs immediate attention, and Congress and/or President Obama needs to proceed with nulifying their contract(s). AIG is big, but they aren't above the law, and ethics. THANK YOU.....................

Hey Rick, get rid of the pessimist. What does he know that Bernanke doesn't know? Bernanke said and I quote" I believe that the ecomnomy will recover this year". That thing after the quote is a PERIOD.
This guy is a Republican obstructionist.

AIG's bonus contract can be arguably be broken based the legal principle known as "force majeure." It's usually a clause in the contract, but it refers to –an intervention of a greater focre, i.e. the failure of the company.

As far as the AIG bonuses – I think the recipient's of those millions of dollars should be required to go buy millions of dollars worth of GM and Chrysler cars, John Deere and Caterpillar equipment, etc etc. That might stimulate something and save some jobs considering how much money they gave out!

AIG executives claim to be contractually entitled to their bonuses. However, a contract is an instrument that embodies a quid quo pro, and it is impossible to imagine how these executives could have met their side of the quid pro quo, given the dismal failure of AIG to perform.

Rick,

How about a wall of shame for the recipients of AIG bonuses? We should know their names and their faces.

If AIG pays out those millions in bonuses, do you think that I can call the IRS, get a loan or deferment so I can buy a pizza ?? Whats the difference...........I can use tax payer money also, or is that just for the upper class with 6 and 7 figure salarys ??

Tax the Bonuses at 100% That might solve the fuss

Bonuses!!! I can't believe these guys have still got their jobs!

Rick- The market is just fine! 5000 or 10,000, it doesn't matter. What matters is goods and services. If the market goes to 20,000 and no one is buying goods and services there will be people starving in the streets. Please understand that Food, Clothing and Shelter still are, and always will be, the most important parts of any economy.

Hi Rick, I keep my tv on cnn all the time. An some of the things that i hear about the Economy is not american, we are the ones that are suffering in this economy, not the bank's, they don't want to give loans, they just want to help themselves. I think that the bank's and auto industries should not have gotten a dime. All that money should have split between the people. we would not have bought private jet's or gave a hugh bonus to anyone. And the ecomomy would have turned around by now.

About Cheney's comments... The president and VP's assets are placed into a blind trust when elected. Lets see who managed their accounts and see what the over growth of their accounts has been over last eight years. My guess is they have done pretty well because they have robbed the country of its wealth along with wall street and the banks execs.

Rick,

I have just one simple question – before giving all that money to AIG why didn't ANYONE do the DUE DILIGENCE to see what obligations the company had for golden parachutes, bonuses, and salaries FIRST??????? I'm no genius but this would have been a NO-BRAINER (carefully chosen words).

Holly

Place those million dollar employees in a lower class home and job for a while and send those millions out to honest small businesses throughout America, or even make them bring those millions to the small businesses them selves.

From Port Neches TEXAS

About AIG Bonuses. When United and other companies went bankrupt, their retires lost their pensions. Weren't those retirements 'contracts' too?

Rick

Don't pay those guys bonuses with money, pay them with shares of the company they've screwed up.

These bonuses to AIG executives are supposed to be "retention" bonuses designed to keep them with the Co, because they are such valuable employees they do not want them to go elsewhere. Since they obviously did such a terrible job, why not let them go and thereby negate the contractural requirement to pay them "retention" bonuses to stay?

Why is nobody checking out on corp. that are still moving out of the country? Caterpillar is talking of moving their 2 biggest selling tractors from where they are currently being made in E. Peoria, IL to Brazil. They are the D-6 and D-8. That will virtually lay off tons of people permanently. They also gave a bonus even though they said they would not. Jim Owens, the CEO for Caterpillar is on Obama's Economic council. What a kick in the butt that is, huh?

Hey Rick, One of President Obama's plan is to get rid of teachers that don't do their job right when there are a lot of students that fail. In other words only compensate successful teachers. To be a teacher is not so much an occupation but vocation, a noble job.
Mr Obama, you don't want "failure" to get paid. HELLO !! What is AIG ???

these guys at A I G must be making one hell of a wage to get a bonus like that. if you went to work and drove the company into the ground. would you get a bonus.? only in america

Cash is the lifeblood of the economy–not credit. Credit is the problem. We are out of cash and credit. Cash has to be rebuilt first.
Stop promoting the myth that credit is the life blood of the economy. Credit is only a blood thiiner to promote circulation. We used so
much credit we are bleeding to death.

what we're not seeing on AIG is an explanation of why our gov regulators never reviewed the nature of the employment contracts which could have been altered as a condition of lending money. instead, they make a lot of noise about AIG's culpability in an effort at diverting attention from themselves, the real responsible party.

The market was in positive territory but when you mentioned Cheney on the show – the market went negative – just an observation

Rick, regarding the AIG bonuses that is so controversial today. The average person still does not know what a Credit Default Swap or CDS is. Wht's more important is they do not get told by President Obama or Tim Geithner the truth which is there is not in any way enough money to cover allof the CDS that were sold by AIG. Also, the sales of the CDS is what causes the bonuses for the best salesmen of these business debt insurance policies. They probably are still being sold to the detriment of everybody. The CDS needs to become extinct or just dump the entire free market system and start using potatos instead of dollar bills. Make the President admit that the CDS is still way out of control. Sincerely, NorthWestNorm

Rick,
I hear alot about high salaries, bonuses, etc. in this out of control economy and I normally agree. There is one group of people with high salaries and they ever got a pay increase recently, no one talks about them; it is our congress men and women. I propose they take a 40% salary reduction to set a good example.

Jesse
Miami

Does anyone know the basis for the payment of the AIG bonuses? I suspect they are related to selling some product, while the losses have to do with past insurance products (CDS's) that went bad when investor confidence went south.

Thanks for reading Rick!
So, who by name, are these AIG Execs and how much are they each slated to receive in bonus. Can that be made public?
And, let's as American People, invite them to the public table, and offer us their percieved worthiness for the bonus.
Perhaps that is not the norm, which is exactly what it needs to be....NOT business/policies as usual!
All the Best!
Nikki

Rick ,AIG had contracts and did not honor them .Is this leagal? I would love to know who these guys are.They need to be poster kids for people you DONT want in or running anyones company

Rick,
Its funny how AIG was willing to not honor the contract's for the cds they issued but think the taxpayer should honor these bonuses.

AIG is one of hundreds of ins. co's who sell cash value life ins. If you have this typeof product, and when you die, the ins. co. KEEPS the cash value (except for Typell Universal Life. They have been doing this for over a hundred years. They own over 50% of the wealth of America because they can legally keep csh values (so, buy term instead). But, in 1966 or 1967 Congress (who is in their pockets) passed a law stating that the FTC could never investigate the Insurance Industry ever again. Check it out!!

hey rick,
here's some reality for you. why don't you stop empathizing and sympathizing and put on your reporter's hat and pick up your reporter's notebook and dig up the facts for us. bush and cheney are not the only ones that made mistakes. rob rubin, alan greenspan, barnie frank and chris dodd are also guilty. get the facts and tell us how they did it. it works like this; reporters get the facts and report., the people hear the reports and decide. if you are not familliar with the concept read some of mike royko's old columns. i'm sure your smart enough to catch on.
tim mccarthy

Hey Rick, why don't we, as taxpayers, & now major stockholders, file a class action lawsuit against AIG's upper management, to recover losses & to at least tie their bonuses up for years in court. They taught us that trick, it's time for us to use it.

Rick, Why do the AIG excutives still have their jobs? Why are they not being legally prosecuted for fraud? Where is the accountability? How arrogant of them to think they deserve a bonus and not jail time!

We are talking about the exe. bonus what about the job losses in the company that bonus money could have retained how many jobs? The power of the wealthy is on center stage in this company and its sick!!! Fire the people who caused them to need fed money to pay this RETENTION BONUS??!! WHY would want to keep the staff running the company into the ground!

I am laid off from Ford. My UAW made concessions to help the company out. Ford didn't ask for any Federal aid, but our CEO was grilled about how he got there? AIG gets billions and billions and gives their bonuses because of their contracts? My tax money? Then turn around and give 90 billion to foreign banks? Im outraged, but sadly, not a bit suprised.

john king was way to nice to dick cheney. he should have ask him if hes' packing for prison...

Hey rick, Talking about AIG bonuses and contracts with it CEO.
Well I believe I have seen it in a local cities where the management of that city caused it to go bankrupt. At that point the state came in and took over the cities budget . The first thing I believe happened was all contracts were through out the window. These were unfortunately mostly blue collar union workers. This was to help get the city out of the red. I believe this is what needs to be done here. Its to bad that the people way up at the top are so out of reach with the working class that they would even think of not taking a bonus knowing that it really would not hurt them to go a FEW years with out pay.Lets take our hats off to the 1 banker that spred his Bonuses around.
Fire all the AIG CEO and make some new contracts.
This took place in Waterbury CT. to the best of my knowlege a few years back.

do all the people with AIG just like every other company facing hard times right now. the ones that are making the big bucks, ship them out and bring in new employees for cheaper pay. it's the american way, no loyalty

During the last weeks of Bush's Administration, when the first bailout was debated in Congress and finally passed, I remember the announcement stating that any Bailout $$ would be subject to restrictions. The restrictions included the limiting of salaries of the top level executives and no $$ could be spent on bonuses.

So how has AIG and others used the Bailout and Stimulus moneys in ways that were stated in these restrictions?

This the corprate form of welfare and the people who dont NEED the money are having a party on the american middle class!!

Bush blamed Clinton for any economic bad news for the ENTIRE 8 years he was in office. Does "We inherited a recession" sound familiar. As early as a Month ago on an interview he repeated those words. Do you also remember "deficits don’t matter" and "ownership society". They should be stripped of their assets (Cheney and Bush) and incarcerated for what they have done and allowed to be done. Shameful.

Rick:

Being as you are at Georgia State University it might be appropriate to confer with the students as to how they plan on payng back there school loans. I have two students, one undergraduate and one graduate of law.
Both students will have debt at the time they go out into the professional world in the amount of 200,000.00. After talking to "The Board of Education", my law student, who will graduate in May, will be expected to make payments in the amount of 3,200.00 a month. She has moved to Michigan where the job market is not. She will do what she needs to do as far as work, cocktail waitress but she will not make enough money to pay her school debt. The school debt can be put in on hold in three ways, all of which continue to accure 8% interest in a market where the prime rate is 1%.
I would like to know how we expect these students to pay their student loans back at these rates. Where is the government in helping their interest rates. These students are our future, they worked for their degrees with the american dream in mind and NO ONE is listening to their cries. I talked with the Board of Education and they said nothing is coming to rescue these students. The loans can not be declared in a bankruptsy so these students continue to accure interest because we are bailing out the AIG's of the world. The banks aren't helping these students with their already commited loans and the job market shows them no future. WHERE IS THE HELP FOR THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. We have made our mistakes, these kids are stuggling and no one is listening.

Please help these children, there are many that have chosen to go into debt to make a difference in this world and they have found themselves overcome with no support and no assests to borrow against. For all practical matters they are the ones we need to help find their way.

Please open this up to the students, I know they are frightened and Obama and the Education Department needs to help our future Americans. All we hear is that the states are going to give grants to illegal immigrants. Are we that blind, that we do not see our own in a time of need.

Marianne Middleton

dear rick
we people have not done any wrong
we have been told by our parnts stay away from drug alchool and gambeling
we are where we are because we did investements
now we have to tell our children stay away from that too
is that america?

Sorry to question everyone's rage about these bonuses but it is my bet that these bonuses are being paid to people who were contracted by AIG to sell these credit default swaps and were promised a commission. They did their job. They did not package or invent the product. If you're going after the bad guys take away the 350 million the Fuld got. He and the other guys who came up with this product are the ones that should pay. Steve from Ashland, Oregon

i am simply astounded that after the second multi billion dollar package granted to these banks and investment giants the people who granted it to them didn't figure or simply didn't tag a set of rules along with it prohibiting these kinds of injustices and immoral distributions of capital.

To: Rick Sanchez
RE: Comment on AIG bonus payments

If we are giving money to AIG to help them, but we do not want AIG to pay their bonus commitments, why can't we just lend the money with the stipulation the people''s money will not go to pay the bonuses.

Our money. Our rules.

Tell them to get the money to pay the bonuses at another time with their earnings.

Hey Rick, What a sneaky thing AIG did, not to let the Congress know those contracts were in place. I think they should have to give all that money back! And as to their stocks being up, are people that naive that they are still giving money to these schisters? We might as well let them into our homes and pay them to watch TV!

I don't buy what that professor was saying. There has never been a bank failure in Canada. Why can't Americas system be set up the same.

when is goverment, and the banks of this country ..are going too see the trut???? that the people in this country/ IS THE LIFE LINE// !!! and the people are in too much debt.. when the housing market crashed and job lost at its wost.. creats more debt.. and the banks are overwhelmed with the peoples debt.. untill we clear this this problem.. banks will not lossing up..

Why don't you interview someone to explain "lending" to the american people. I don't believe the average person fully understands "lending" or "credit" or "mortgage". This what your show needs to be about. Instead of bad rhetoric and blaming c.e.o's.

If not for the bailouts, How bonuses would have been paid at AIG ???

I can think of about 10 million people that would love to not do there job and get a bonus! For a portion of the bonus i think that same 10 million would do there jobs if they had one!!!

John King needs to be criticized for his horrid interview with Dick Chaney. He asked "Do you think that Obama is trying to brazenly deceive the American people?" What kind of a question was that? Did it not show bias? Of course, it was not just this interview. John King is as fair and balanced as Fox news .

I don't understand people who say that regulating business is limiting personal freedom, that it's undermining the capitalist system. Huh? Regulation is what makes a society function smoothly. Individuals are regulated as to the speed they can drive, where they can cross a street, where they can consume alcohol, how they can gather to parade or protest, etc. etc. Anti-regulators really mean don't regulate the CORPORATE CITIZEN. How brainwashed are we by the people who control the money!

AIG billions to US Bank and Wall Street giving them a double bite of our Apple..These same institutions received Billions to help stabalize the Financial Structure of or Country and now AIG is giving them more..NO WAY. President Obama take our money back right now and Nationalize AIG which would make all their contracts Null and Void. We can always turn them back to private companies after we get this mess cleaned up..

Our elected Officials have a huge conflict of roles in all of this also having taken all kinds of perks from these same Banks and Wall Street and now are helping them out while damaging us..When are we, the public, going to say enough is enough !

Its a shame, but as long as we have people runing things that have no morales or conscious we will have this problem.

How can a business (AIG) give out bonuses if the company is broke? Why do these contracts have validity when there was no $ in the coffers to make good on them? The $ that came from the feds (us) is not theirs to give . . .

Rick:
I heard this a.m. "Good Morning Joe" – a guest's comment that it was the "British branch of AIG that took such a risk that trickled down & finally to US. Check it out...why is NO ONE MENTIONING THIS?
V.H. Don't these outfits talk to each other? I believe in Obama – took years to get here...won't get out overnight...Hang on for a bumpy ride!

I like the idea of young people's ideas! This will soon be THEIR gov't.,too.
V. H.

These banks and investment companies that are requiring so much input from the fed need to be liquidated, along with the assets of their board members and employees that have driven it this far down. then have all the capital distributed among the taxpayers that funded the absurd loans.

Your audience member just reiterated that "Night Watchman" theory of economics. Specifically it;'s the notion that, along with profits, ethical good is also built into the free-market capitalism, thus maximizing happiness alongside supply, innovation, etc. The current misconception arises from an old, perhaps mistaken, possibly deliberate misinterpretation of Smith's Wealth Of Nations, and was discussed and dismissed as such around 100 years ago. So why do newscasters like yourself allow people to continue making this false assertion without correcting them? It lies at the heart of much of the present disaster, as well as the ongoing ignorance and objection to allowing government to fix markets. Yet it is all based on a mistaken reading. Why do you not attempt to correct it?

That should have said "fix the marketplace" i.e regulate it. The above sounds like I meant "fix" the price of a particular market, which I of course did not mean.

To B. Smith
How else do you think they got the interview instead of the much more ideologically aligned FOX News? By furnishing someone with the same conservative views as Cheney, they landed an interview that was a sure bet to make news and stimulate controversy. Quid pro quo

As to why we keep pandering to conservatives -at all ! – is the question I'd like to know. Social scientists have long known where many of their ideas originate, and it has little to do with ideology and far more to do with rationalize their own exaggerated fears, lowered empathy resulting from stunted social development skills the rest of us all pass through on the way to adult maturity. Social scientists at DHS and even Okl. Corrections have recognized this, yet it is not widely known to citizens. Another failure of our media I believe.

"Conservatism is not the doctrine of the intellectual elite or of the more intelligent segments of the population, but the reverse. By every measure available to us, conservative beliefs are found most frequently among the uniformed, the poorly educated, and the less intelligent".

From DHS:
“A meta-analysis by J. T. Jost, J. Glaser, A. W. Kruglanski, and F. J. Sulloway (2003) concluded that political conservatism is partially motivated by the management of uncertainty and threat. Medium to large effect sizes describe relations between political conservatism and dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity; lack of openness to experience; uncertainty avoidance; personal needs for order, structure, and closure; fear of death; and system threat.”

“We now take it for granted in the United States that political conservatives tend to be for law and order but not gun control, against welfare but generous to corporations, protective of cultural traditions but antagonistic toward contemporary art and music, and wary of government but eager to weaken the separation of church and state. They are committed to freedom and individualism but perennially opposed to extending rights and liberties to disadvantaged minorities and others who blur traditional boundaries.
There is no obvious political thread that runs through these diverse positions and no logical principle that renders them all consistent. Their co-occurrence may be explained just as well with psychological as with political theory. Conservative opinions acquire coherence only by virtue of the fact that they minimize uncertainty and threat while pursuing continuity with the past (maintaining the status quo) and rationalizing inequality in society.

Basic social, cognitive, and motivational differences may also explain why extreme right-wing movements are typically obsessed with purity, cleanliness, hygiene, structure, and order — things that would otherwise have little to do with political positions per se — and why religious fundamentalism is so attractive to right-wing parties and their followers in just about every nation stretching from North America to the Middle East.”

High Rick,
I love your show and hearing from actual Americans online.
You're right, Rick, this stimulus money is our money and our debt. In all other catastrophes,( i.e. Katrina, global AIDS, global poverty) superstars got together for "fundraisers to help out.
Do you think we could decrease our debt if we came together for a Save our economy Aid concert? Everyone could contribute and all monies raised could go to pay down our debt.

I'm not a economist but I know if you pay down your debt quickly, you get back on your feet quicker. Once the debt is gone, you have freed up your money.

Just an idea but it's worked before didn't it?

If the American people, the Congress, the president and Secretary Geiner combined have no power or say in how they spend the money, even the bonuses and parties are unconscienable. Then the whole bailout should not happen in the future. It's a bum deal!!

AIG is not the company, what about Citibank. They did it too. I am disguested.

"The internet cannot replace newspapers." So said the dinosaur to the chimpanzee.

I THINK WE SHOULD CALL A SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING WHICH WE ALL ARE AND VOTE DOWN THE BONUS'S DOWN AND FIRE THOSE WHO FEEL THEY REALLY NEED IT. LOOK DOWN ANY STREET AND YOU WILL FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO WOULD GLADLY JUMP AT THE CHANCE TO GO TO WORK FOR AIG. THEY BETTER WAKE UP BECAUSE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.

Question for Rick Sanchez. 3/17 you indicated this economic fall-out started "10 years ago" with nobody paying attention, which means this started last two years of Clinton. What policies/laws last 2 years of Clinton contributed to this mess?

The AIG bonus grabbers have damaged our country more than the Taliban and deserve the same treatment. Tax them at 100% and go over each one's past income tax statements with a fine-toothed comb and give them jail time for every slip-up found – accidental or not!

I have been unemployed since 01/02/2009. I have not received any employment benefits yet. Its an awful thing how AIG can get all of these bonuses and i cannot get what i put into the system.

Everyone is talking about the "Retention Bonuses" of $ Millions we take payers are giving to these CEO's. But no one is talking about how much there SALARY was to lead AIG to this situation. I would like to know how much these inept people were being paid !

I've been listening to the AIG mess for hours on CNN Something just doesn't feel right about this.

Imagine a ship at sea (AIG). The passengers are the US people/government, etc. I'm not a conspiracist, but if I were a "bad guy" this would be a very Machiavellian way to attack the United States. I can't help but wonder if there is something, or someone else behind all this???

Bette in Cleveland

Watching to stage show today on CNN the thought occurs to me that yes the AIG people should give the money back. Also so should all the congressmen and senators that received money (bribes) for AIG.
Whats good for the goose is good for the gander

Can't get my post on here......lost our education fund....no savings...lost my job......wtf?????? Tired of the grilling.....any teeth in it????? Love to see it. Does any one care about us out here??? I want to hear a solution......no more posturing.......Help the PEOPLE!!!!
These guys are lawyers and accountants and don't seem to know shit! !!!!!!!

As for Liddy....this guy shouldn't even be a CEO. He's shown such ignorance and arrogance that we should throw him out.

Why would any CEO defend the bonuses of a hundred or so employees all the while public opinion, congressional opinion and even the president are expressing outrage at AIG? Its sorta like throwing gas on the fire, turning into a PR nightmare, and completely destroying whatever is left of AIG.

If he had an balls or brains, he pull the hundred or so employees that received bonuses into a room and say "look, we're just pissing everyone off....congress, the president, the general public and eventually we'll lose the argument. Congress will tax the bonuses, we might have to release your names to the public, we might be investigated by every attorneys general around the country, who knows what else. But, I'm pulling every bonus back, and we're gonna write a nice long apology letter to congress, the president, the public and apoligize profusely. We're gonna ask what we can do to help fix the mess. You may not like this, and you might even want to sue the company to try and get your bonus, but the way things stand, its in our best interest to concede and move on. If we continue to piss off everyone around us, especially those who have the power to impact us, like our senators and congressmen; we are making a huge mistake. You might think this isn't fair, but as CEO its my job to do what I think is best in the long run.

But...nope. They'll keep fighting for these bonuses, and eventually the public, congress and the president will get fed up and end it in a way that will not be good for them. Really stupid – no wonder these guys got us into this mess. Its like trying to piss off the cop who pulls you over for speeding-just really, really stupid!

It is bad enough that we have to bail out AIG as many times as they ask for it, just so they can pull this crap again in another 10 years but now we find out that a member of our own goverment ( we all know who were talking about ) added language to allow AIG to dispense millions in bonuses. Yes we will probably get back some of the money but that is not the point. The bigger point is that the people were betrayed by this member of government. This is a far bigger issue in my little mind because we are supposed to believe that the government is there to protect and serve. Who's best interest was this member of government thinking about when he added this language?? I find this the most disgusting thing so far.....he should be charged with treason. Who's gonna bail him out??

Big Bonuses? No one is accountable for this. After all, the last twenty years of politics have convinced Americans that it's always someone else who caused the problem ... so why accept blame ... just point your finger at the other parties leader. Bob from Illinois

Stop pointing fingers, start being the example. Many if not all politicians are getting a bonus. Now AIG is getting their's and now congress will get their's as well. Why not set the example. I have to tell my child he cannot have pizza so I can pay the electric. My pay check keeps getting smaller, I have concern about health care and education why not give billions to them so our children can run profitable and honest business's it will take years to get out of debt that you put us in and our grandchildren with a good education may be able to put us back on the road. When will you my representatives start making those hard choices just like the american people who put you in office. Be sure that I will be voting to put those in office who will set the example and be accountable. Stop the noise and start the work. What is really going on? What are'nt you telling us. Why is AIG just the only one? What is going on in Washington. American's please call your representative and dont stop until you/we get answers.

5 billion bought..........this is precisely why we Americans must take an active involvement in OUR GOVERNMENT! It goes to the fact of sleeping at the helm and allowing these types of regulations being slipped in under the radar and how we got to this point. FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE!

Hello Rick,
We in Canada look to your leader and political bodies as allies and wonderful friends. Friend to friend, there really is nothing new under the sun. Politicians messing up is not new; getting caught at it is what burns. Really we ought to look at the whole democratic process. Has anyone studied how many people must be caressed before any poltician can raise the funds to run? Take away the need for monetary support while running for a so-called public office and you will eliminate a lot of the habitual misuse of taxpayers money and overall greed to have we – the small people – pay more and more to get less and less! Have a nice day – friend, We are all in this together.

I don't understand why the House of Representatives passed a bill taxing bonuses for companies that received more than 5 billion in bailout money from the government. Here they go again...they still don't get it!!! WHY the 5 Billion exception?
It would be more fair to tax all bonuses for all companies that receive over $100 in Federal aid.
I want to know who came up with the 5 Billion limit. Was it Chris Dodd again?????

Hey Rick...You get 3 minutes of air-time then a minute and a half of commercials..???? You've only got 60 minutes of air time..how about spreading out those commercials..so frequent on your air time...to some other hosts??? I like your program and would like to see you have either more time to host, or less commercial time...??? How 'bout it..??

Hi Rick:

I am writing you this email because I watch you all the time on cnn newsroom. I truly believe you 're an objective investigation reporter. Today, I am bringing an issue before you, hope you will investigate and provide not only to me but millions of liberians in the US some positive answers.

According to the Home Land Security, starting march 31, 2009. there will be massive deportation of liberians from the US back to Liberia. The reason is that : the US believes the Liberia is politically stable therefore, there is no reason to provide liberians who obtain their working permit under Asylum to apply for permanent residency in the US,
Mr. Sanchez, you know that just because a new president is in power in Liberia does not mean that the country is stable.In liberia for the present moment they are kidnapping people from left to right.

I have been in this country since 1991 with my family. My husband is a teacher in NYC public school. We strive hard, we went to school, earned our degrees and now they are about to deport us. . Every year, we renew our working permit. We have applied for permanent residency since 1999, since then no answer from the Immigration office. We called, we wrote them letters, nothing happen.

Mr. Sanchez, I am using a fake name because I do not want my co-workers or my boss to know that I am on a deportation list. however, my email address is valid. We have not committed any crime in this country, as immigrants, we worked hard, to meet the needs of our family.
please Mr. Sanchez, present our case to the public, investigate it for us,
the majority of liberians live in NY ( staten Island, North Carolina, Georgia, minesota)

Hope you will raise people awareness about such an unjust decision from the Home Land Security Department
Thank you in advance

Lucille

OMG !

With all the media buzz of having Obama under a Media magnifing glass on AIG this week, be serious. Senetor Dodd is a specific example of the systemic problems with the Congress which are recently more dysfunctional than the Administration. With Republican obstructionism to democratic failures like Dodd on AIG bonus language it is an outrage. Further, how can any member of Congress vote for a bill that has such language and then claim they were unaware. It is thier responsibility to be aware.

It is time for the Media to pull out another Magnifying glass and aim it on Congress. A balance of reporting for a balance of power, it's only fair.

I personally holding Congress more accountable than the Administration or AIG, as they both authored and passed the premise that allowed AIG to violate the taxpayers.

Congress wants to tax selected recipients of government money at 90%.
How about a 90% tax on present and past federal employees for all income over $250,000 - including speaking fees, book deals, and all those sweet post government jobs. Government employees dine at the public trough, so what right do they have to the spoils? Didn't they get us into this mischief in the first places?

High Rick! My Husband Second Unemployment is running out on the second week of April, is there any help coming to the unemployed Americans?

I hate to say this but, I thought Obama will save the economy, but now it slowly showed that he is slowly wrecking it, did I hear it right that they will forgive the banks bad assets?

Seems like AIG is the entire economy huh?

Why would they forgive those banks? Those banks sure never forgave their consumers.

Guess this was another one you didn't want to print. Anything that doesn't sing your praises doesn't get printed as usual. You pretend that this is a place where people can air their views, yea I gues that is true as long as those views are complimentary about hispanics, Rick Sanchez or CNN. This is a very false impression that you present to the public. You spend all your time trying to downgrade anyone who is black and that certainly includes President Obama. Your President in case you haven't noticed. But like John King and Yellan said the other day when Bennett congradulated them on their Get, which means ratings are far more important then saving your country, "we relly got them this time" smiling ear to ear. I do not understand your lack of caring about wheather your country goes bankrupt or not as long as you get the storey. This is todays values. at least on CNN. Are you guys immune to the losses that everyone including some one like me who is 68 gets from all this negative reporting. Maybe some day when you can't afford to feed your families as a result of your reporting you will finally get it.

Given the current situation, what would John McCain have done differently than President Obama?

Why are we even talking about AIG anymore? The blame for it rests squarely with the government, specifically Tim Geithner and Chris Dodd! They approved it all!

What a nightmare!

Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Tim Geithner, etc., etc., all nightmares! Gee, thanx America for voting in the NIGHTMARES!!!!

Hi Rick,

By the does any one know the definition of bonus?

According to Oxford dict. it means- A bonus is often connected directly to performance, such as generating more sales or motivating a production line to meet or exceed a quota.

My question is to all the EVP did you or nay of you made any sales that generated from sale or profit?

I would like to know the answer, if the answer is yes than I should be in that business

Thanks

To the people who think that Obama is doing to much.We thank you for putting Bush in office twice.We need to tke over AIG and others.Or we can say goodbye to our tax money.What are we going to do it no we are lazy Americans.These companies are so large they could take down the whole global market.Thank Bush and the republicans for the trickle down effect.

Please help America stop stimulus money from going to profitable companys.

I sent this message to Middle Class Task Force asking the office to stop IBM from being given any stimulus money:

I have been laid off since December 2008. Unemployment pays me far less than half of what I earned when I was employed. My household income was categorized as middle class then, over $100,000. I have a degree in Computer Programming. My former employer (Bank of America) outsources most of the programming jobs to India now. I now understand that IBM has outsourced 9,000 jobs this year. IBM reported earnings of 103 Billion last year. We must remember that “greed” is what got the financial companies in the position they are in now. Why outsource any job while making such large profits? Everyone in the USA can’t be expected to work in high paying jobs, so why outsource unless absolutely necessary to the welfare of the company’s survival? Mr. President, you made a campaign promise to help keep middle class jobs from being outsourced. What are you going to do to help us keep these high paying jobs here in the USA as you promised? You said, “Low wage, low skill labor.” It is still folks out there that should have a fare chance at getting these types of jobs too. Please don’t start changing campaign promises, especially after meeting with an IBM CEO who had the nerve to ask to stimulus money after IBM making record earnings per share. This will haunt your administration if you allow this.

My Question is : How much interest are the American people going to pay for the pres. 3.6 Trillion dollar bill on use? Because the interest has to be payed and that is money that we will not be able to use to help this country.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) wrote:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous
to our liberties than standing armies. Already they
have raised up a moneyed aristocracy that has set
the Government at defiance. The issuing power should
be taken from the banks and restored to the people to
whom it properly belongs."

"If the American people ever allow private banks to
control the issue of their money, first by inflation
and then by deflation, the banks and corporations
that will grow up around them (around the banks),
will deprive the people of their property until their
children will wake up homeless on the continent
their fathers conquered."

"The system of banking [is] a blot left in all our
Constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their
destruction... I sincerely believe that banking
institutions are more dangerous than standing
armies; and that the principle of spending money
to be paid by posterity
... is but swindling futurity on a large scale."

"I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on
this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
states, are preserved to the states or to the people.'
... To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially
drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession
of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any
definition. The incorporation of a bank, and the powers assumed
by this bill (chartering the first Bank of the United States),
have not, been delegated to the United States by the Constitution."

sorry rick. i'm not upset at you or ur station, but you are the only decent new anchor i watch faithfully,But fox news should be made to appologize to the canadian people for their terrorist threats. Sincerly yours joe....

Couldn't find a link directly to Nancy Grace. I want to tell her that her program makes me puke. 3000 children are missing every day in the U.S. How does she choose one to annoy us with? Her program uses a lot of time better used to fill in some of the empty places of CNN reporting. Particularly lacking is reportage on non-U.S. news. The Media is pathetic in its claim of reporting World News. Damn them!

JHH

Government doled out billions with impunity to bankers and wallstreet
Autoworkers that worked 30 years at GM or Chrysler Deserve to Get
their Pensions that we need to survive What is the president thinking
I will loose my house ,my car, my standard of living and my Dignity.

10 mins ago immigration,my peolple came through the front door,as we came off the boat,one of every ten of us went into the civil war,but you sneak across the border! now we must embrace them.b.s. police state or not round them all up all 15 million of them and pack them off.

I think the raids on employers that hire illegal aliens should continue. OBAMA claims they are counter productive, and yet OBAMA and his cohorts are trying to kill E-VERIFY. With E-VERIFY in place there would be no need to have the raids!
Once the illegal aliens see that they cant get a job ILLEGALY they will self deport themselves.

Oh !and please stop calling them undocumented workers! Thats the equivalent of calling a drug dealer an undocumented pharmacist!

I'm tired of hearing you,prettyboy, promote illegal mexicans/hispanics/latinos. The culture is from prison; that the biggest bad-ass, the most ruthless is the leader and everyone else sucks up. I've seen enough graffiti,trash and gang-banging/ritual stabbings and parasitic arrogance (in Southern California,) to know we are invaded and you do not tell the truth about what the bad-ass mexican parasite has done to our nation. Think that's O.K. Rickie? It's not. Stick to panoche, take your racist promotions back to the gangs you admire

I believe that law in forcement should stop breaking down doors. Being a person with Native American heritage have been stop and accused of stoled my Germany last name then took to jail. I was fingerprinted and held until my identity was confirmed. I could only image what a legal Mexican American when they get their doors knocked down.

Rick, How can Eric Holder set aside Ted Stevens conviction, but nobody can overturn the conviction of two Border Patrol Agents Compean and Ramos. Holder says their was some kind of prosecutorial wrong doing. If this is true the two agents who were railroaded by a Federal prosecutor into prison by unlawful charges and was done to appease the Mexican goverment should have their conviction set aside and returned to their jobs with backpay. They were trying to do their job of protecting the U.S.A. Which Mr. Stevens was trying to fatten his pocketbook. What a double standard!!!!

Come on Rick, what the heck?

I dont care what anyone says about the AIG execs, or this new global currency proposal. Its already planned with or without our approvals. Just like the Digital switch. Nobody is even speaking out about! How does the government have the ability to mandate digital tv? How can government take over private businesses? if you ask me Obama is on the path or planned path of communism. He would love for someone like me to keep quiet. But i rather die noble than live in fear. This fear mongering tactic is not going to work! What about the amero? where is all the tv coverage on this stuff???

There are really only a few people that appear to be doing most of the destruction in the London protests. They are encouraged by the mass of cameras documenting their actions. Rick should mention the destruction and then move on to all the other forms of protest people are utilizing. Showing these pictures of people breaking windows and beating up police officers only serves to encourage them.

Rick, let's send Rush Limbaugh over to London and let him go to the streets and pontificate how great the economy can be when Big Business is allowed to call the shots and the Rich continue to get tax breaks. That way we would be rid of him, the British would "eat him for lunch" . Thank heavens we were fortunate enough and smart enough to elect a President who will calmly, effectively and brilliantly lead us through these times.

The protesters at the G20 are nothing more than common street thugs, and TOTAL LOSERS in life. They go everywhere they can to get on the news and feel important. They are actually good coverage material for socialist reporters like S

The protestors (thugs) at the G20 are good coverage material for socialist reporters like Soledad O' Brien. She could do stories that show how these poor people need to be heard and cared for. Maybe even some of our tax dollars should be able to support them.

The senator who stated that Obama was "gutting" the military should be held accountable. Republican scare tatics and lies have hurt our nation enough. Someone needs to tell them that they lost and are now expected to be responsible, honest citizens, or get run out of whatever office they hold.

Hey Rick,

Your overdramatizing the riots in Tehran. There's over 7-million people in Tehran. I personally to care to see a couple hundred people throwing rocks at each other in the streets. The election is over. GET OVER IT!

Mike Garcia, Santa Fe, NM

The judge is just as responsible as the guard, there is no way that people doing something behind the lawyer, signaling and the other office moving threw her line of site was not noticed. and then for her to act dumb. Proves it has happened before.

I don not think that you will see this.
Please help.
I just saw your show
Please explain the health bill to me
If you do not know,that is OK
I do not think any one knows

Please replay

hey rick,
How about closing all the military bases overseas,embassys to save some money.Have you ever wondered why everything is made in China,maybe ita a little incentive to let us borrow money.So,its like borroowing are own money. I'm not a smart man but it can't be that hard to run the country.

Rick,

Our country COULD BE PARADISE if the members of our governments and the MILITARY would have some brains and actually what Brad Linton says in his comment can be true to some extent. Closing all military bases overseas is a great idea and instead open the ones being closed in our soil ... The great US of A! This will save tons of money and also would provide thousands of jobs here in our country. Let me tell you something about military bases overseas: Those bases overseas provide thousands of jobs to people where the bases are and tax payers money is used to pay people’s salaries instead of using that money to pay salaries here in our soil ... Is that fair? The military can train people here in the US of A better than overseas as we have all the technology available here and we don’t have to export everything to where the military bases are ... Only by closing all military bases overseas we can get out of debt in one year I’m sure. Also, we give away tons of money all over the world just for the asking so those people can eat giving a dam about OUR OWN PEOPLE here; as it is there is a lot of famine here in our own soil and people die every winter because they don’t have a place to live or have a decent meal but instead our government care more about people some place else than here. I have always said that by cancelling all foreign help for at least 5 years we can surpass ever country in the rest of the world but our politicians care more about our image overseas than being a country with zero poverty. Regarding security, we lack good security and the proof to that is that this is the only country in the world where foreign nationals can come in with not even a visa and hence terrorism in our own soil; however, the opposite is not true! I can go on and on mentioning what is wrong with our government and I will never finish; so, I better close this one for now with the following sentence: I can bring unemployment to ZERO in the US of A in one year so why our government cannot?

Robert Murillo
Placerville, CA

Have you consdered that fact that many people would retire early if they could afford interim health care before Medicare kicks in. If they coudld retire then there would be more jobs open for those unemployed. Most people do not understand the HIGH insurance rates as they are paying through their employers.

Karen, how could people retire early when they are loosing their jobs now? Retirement is now at 67 years old and will be at 70 very soon. There is no such thing as early retirement now and besides most people cannot afford early retirement. As it is, retired people want to go back to work now because of the expense they have and being on a fix income does not cut the mustard. Health Care insurance is only part of the equation in our super screw up economy ... Think again!

Robert Murillo
Placerville, CA