First: Did anyone notice a certain NC congressman who is in the fight for his political survival showed up as the fifth richest member in Congress? Not that there's anything wrong with being rich (sorry, folks, it's true). But I think it is fair to say that if you have increased your wealth as much as he has between 2006 and 2008 (even thru inheritance), and your district has lost massive wealth also between 2006 and 2008, it shows that A) you may be out of touch with your constituents and B) your individual success seems more important than your district's success.

Late though it may be, Mr. Hood appears to be coming to an awareness of the stunning and gross incompetence of the Republican Party. His party. The party that has given us over the course of seven short years: immoral war, a second great Depression, sanctioned torture, dangerous infringement of personal freedom, and worse. Hood doesn't come out and say it straight - he's not honest enough to do that - but it's all right there between the lines.

Today we are witnessing Bush-by-the-book: screw things up, party like there's no tomorrow, and leave all the problems to someone else. In this case, the disaster will fall into the hands of Democrats in Congress and a very likely Democratic president.

As is often the case, Binker has something worth reading, especially if you're interested in how the meltdown might impact the Old North State.