With the current global financial crisis, the upcoming Presidential elections, and the ongoing Global War on Terror, it seems that our country is facing something like a 'perfect storm.' How did we get here and how can we navigate these challenging times? To help answer these questions and frame the discussion, we will discuss two topics: decision making and complacency.  There is far too little transparency and honesty in how political and financial decisions are made and there is too little interest in the population to force those in power to be open and honest in their decision making. 

    Some of the issues we will discuss from the political realm are: the consolidation of power in the Executive branch, the recent decision by Federal District Court judge Ricardo Urbina to release 17 Uighur detainees from Guantanamo Bay, the Hamdi decision in the Supreme Court, as well as the Presidential candidates' views on these issues as well as their reasoning on cases like Roe and Heller.  We will then move to the financial realm and discuss the increased consolidation of decision-making power in the capital markets over the last 40 years and the effect that has had on the US economy and the economic well-being of Americans.

    If citizens are not informed and involved, it is difficult to make wise choices in a democracy. Americans have been complacent for too long and are now being forced to deal with the consequences, continuing to look away will not solve our problems.