Things Just Don't Seem to Add-Up...

President-elect Barack Obama speaks regularly from the so-called "Office Of The President Elect."

One problem, though.

There is no such thing as the "Office Of The President Elect" (Fox News has provided some details on this tonight).

And while questions still abound regarding whether or not Barack Obama was even born in the United States - - and whether or not he was constitutionally eligible to run for the presidency in the first place...

Now, there are questions about whether or not Obama committed a federal crime regarding his registration for the "selective service" (the Military draft).

So, why are there so many questions about our new President-elect? And does anybody care?

We'll talk about this tonight...

Also, the government of California is officially "investigating" the Mormon Church.

Why? Because Proposition 8 was successful. That is, the California ballot initiative that provides for the amending of the California Constitution to define marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman.

The Mormon church is being "blamed" for this.

Yes, religious freedom is under attack right now.

Join me tonight on The Austin Hill Show, and we'll discuss it.

1-888-630-WMAL is the number from anywhere in the United States.

Less Harsh, More "Understanding"

Is America becoming "less harsh" towards criminals?

It is widely known that President-elect Obama intends for the Gitmo prison to be closed. And he wants a "more inclusive" approach to immigration in our country.

Less widely known is the "new approach" being taken in Virginia on illegal immigration.

Because of budget constraints, the state essentially intends to "focus on the economy," rather than policing illegal immigration.

This is, afterall, a Virginia that is under the leadership of a Democratic Governor, and a Virginia that just "voted Obama" in the electoral college.

So is this a predictor of things to come?

We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show.

Also.........is the election of a black President good or bad for "diversity?"

There are some interesting reports out today about "diversity" in the forthcoming Obama Administration...and depending on how you gauge "diversity," the reports are a "mix bag."

Join the show from anywhere in the United States at 1-888-630-WMAL.

And listen online ("real time" or "on-demand") at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com .

Is Obama Insufficiently "Hopey And Changey?"

The liberal, left-wing blogosphere is livid with President-elect Barack Obama's choices for cabinet officers. The thought of Hillary Clinton - - a "war supporter" - - for Secretary of State, has some liberals furious with B.O.

And it raises the question:

Is Obama embarking upon Bill Clinton's Third Term?

We'll talk about it tonight.

Also..........is conservative talk radio just simply being too mean to the Presidnt-elect?

Join the program by telephone, as always, at 1-888-630-WMAL.

Listen on line at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Is It Time For "Special Minority Rights" For Gays And Lesbians?

You thought the election was over...and you thought that California, and Arizona, and Florida, and several other states had "settled" the issue of re-defining marriage. And settled it by determining that the historic definition - - a marriage being defined by the union of one man and one woman - - as the voters in, most notably, California, chose to amend the state constituion so as to reflect that hostoric definition.

Well, not so fast. On last night's show the news was breaking that the California State Supreme Court will hear arguments against the newly passed constitutional amendment. And the arguments going before the court opposing the constitutional amendment claim that the amendment "abridges the civil right of a vulnerable minority group."

Oh, really?

So is it time to regard homosexuals as "minorities," in the same way that ethnic minorities are regarded?

We'll talk about it tonight on "The Austin Hill Show."

Also......why isn't President-elect Barack Obama saying anything about the economy and the markets?

The markets seem to be reacting in fear of his and the Democratically controlled Congress' vows of radical tax increases. Couldn't Mr. Obama calm the fears if he would simply state that he will forego tax hikes for now?

Join the program at 1-888-630-WMAL.

Does The Republican Party Need "Less God?"

An intriguing editorial appears today in The Washington Post by Conservative Writer Kathleen Parker, suggesting that the GOP neeeds less "G-O-D."

Is that really true? Is the Republican Party's absolute failure in the national election earlier this month because of too much "conservative Chrsitian" influence?

And another thing...

Where has President-elect Obama been with the proposed "bailout" of the "big 3" automakers?

He said that it was necessary last week. And lately he's been "M.I.A."

Why?

We'll talk about it tonight on The Austin Hill Show. 10888-630-WMAL if you want to join the program.

My Agenda For Tonight...

First, I'll explore whether or not President-elect Obama has developed a "cult of personality" around him, and if there has been some level of "Obama worship" surrounding him.

Secondly, we'll contemplate what President Ronald Reagan might do, given current economic problems, and, now, the nation's three auto makers begging for federal dollars to stay afloat.

The question isn't so much about Reagan - - it's more about the future of the Republican Party. Republicans need to take a stand, and to articulate a message here.

What is that message? What should that stand consist of?

Join The Austin Hill Show at 1-888-630-WMAL.

Is It "Obama Worship?"

This story appeared in The Arizona Republic newspaper - - that is, ironically, in John McCain's hometown of Phoenix - - last Saturday.

Make of it what you will - - I will have more to day about it later tonight.


by Christine Keith


Barack Obama's election victory inspired celebrations at Black black churches across the country, including in Phoenix. At First Institutional Baptist Church, Pastor Warren Stewart Sr. delivereda sermon Sunday 11/9 called “Ten Commandments Learned From President-electBarack Obama's Life.”

Some showed their support by wearing Obama T-shirts. Stewart's list began with the Obama-inspired version of the FirstCommandment: “Do dare to dream and hope big!”

The congregation's young people gathered at the front of the church, and he went through the other nine commandments, including “Do not let excuses stop you” and “Do keep your cool in difficult situations.” In his pastoral comments, Stewart wrote, “After 232 years, we in the United States now have a President who is a person of color. The world now has aU.S. president of color who can relate to what it means to be on the‘underside' of society.”

During his comments Sunday, he pointed out that it took people of allcolors to elect Obama.A picture of the first family-elect was projected on a high screen in thefront of the church. The African-American congregation looked up to the smiling family. Voices sang out with thanks and joy and praises of God, as they have every Sunday in this fellowship of faith since 1905, when the congregation was founded as just a Sunday school.

“The election of Obama is something that I wouldn't have ever believed in,”said Elmer Curry, 82, a deacon. “… I've seen that over a period of yearsthat the hearts of people in the country are changing.”

Clueless? You Decide.

Stunning new video has emerged displaying a level of cluelessness among Obama voters. Shot at a polling place in suburban Los Angeles on election day, November 4th, it demonstrates that while these Obama partisans had no clue which party currently controls Congress or who Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid are, they did nonetheless know that Sarah Palin was the political candidate whose party spent $150,000 on a wardrobe.

When asked which candidate (presidential or vice presidential) won their first ever election by getting three opponents from their own party kicked-off the ballot, everyone interviewed assumed that it was either Sarah Palin, or, as one interview subject stated, "that sounds like something McCain would do."

Nobody had a clue that a young Barack Obama had done that when he was running the first time for the Illinois state legislature.

I'll play some of the audio on The Austin Hill Show tonight, and then get your reaction.

Also.......is Obama headed for his first presidential failure with respect to the proposed General Motors bailout and the lack of support for it?

To join the show, as always, the number is 1-888-630-WMAL.

Breaking "News"

There is some staggering news that is about to "break" later tonight. I can't say too much about it yet, except that some disturbing polling data will be unveiled tonight, and tommorrow. The data reveals a frightening lack of awareness among Obama supporters as to some very basic facts about the presidential candidates, our Congress, how our government operates, and so forth.

I'll also have audio from an amazing new video project, that I'll reveal on The Austin Hill Show tonight.

More info, shortly...

"Media Reform" And The Assault On Free Speech

"Meda Reform" And The Assault On Free Speech

by Austin Hill



Is the United States about to face a constitutional challenge?

As we near completion of the first two weeks since Barack Obama’s election to the presidency, the path is being established for what I believe could be a serious challenge to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and the right to free speech that is protected therein. Any American who cares about such freedoms should be watching and listening very carefully. Unfortunately, it appears to me that most Americans are not.

As of late, much attention has been paid to the possibility of our federal government re-instating the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” a regulatory policy that, earlier last century, required federally licensed broadcast outlets to present “important” and “controversial” subjects in a “balanced” and “equitable” fashion. The lifting of this regulation allowed for entertaining, highly opinionated, individual hosts to proliferate, thus giving rise to the media genre we know as “conservative talk radio” (it has also allowed for the emergence of “liberal talk radio,” although thus far this genre has not been as commercially successful as its conservative counterpart).

On June 29th of this year, I authored a column wherein I suggested that the antiquated “Fairness Doctrine” might be the least of our concerns. I further surmised that a President Obama and a Democratically controlled Congress may pursue something I termed “comprehensive media reform” - - a much broader, all-inclusive attempt to more fully regulate media content and ownership.
I believe the stage is now set for such an effort. I’m imagining a rather sophisticated public relations campaign that would play out in the context of “experts” testifying before the next Congress, and “research” that would be reviewed in congressional investigations.

I envision something on the order of what the Clinton Administration and the Democratically controlled Congress did to tobacco companies back in the 90’s, only with broadcasting executives, and perhaps owners of web-based media outlets, being subpoenaed to answer questions under sworn oath.

Some will object to this comparison, given that tobacco is a verifiably dangerous product, and opinion based media is constitutionally protected. But I’m not assuming that factual truth, or constitutionality, matter to members of Congress.

Washington politicians have over the years very successfully demonized American industries that they don’t like - - both the tobacco and oil industries come to mind - - and have not only tarnished the ways in which those industries are viewed by millions of Americans, but have also achieved a wide array of “concessions” from those industries. Media owners, especially those who dare distribute “conservative content,” now need to be fully aware that their turn on Capitol Hill might be next.

Some of the “testimony” and “research” to be dramatized in the coming congressional show has already begun to emerge. For example, on September 30th of this year, Reuters news service published a “report” suggesting that conservative talk radio led to the initial failure of the calamity-preventing Wall Street ‘bail out” bill in the U.S. House. The article further suggested that Rush Limbaugh’s criticism of the bill caused stocks to “take a beating” and drove the world closer to global economic collapse, while syndicated talker Neal Boortz exacerbated matters by suggesting that more time was needed to allow the bill to “flesh itself out.”

Last week, “new media” took a hit as domestic terrorist-turned university professor William Ayers, in his much anticipated interview on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America,” explained-away both his terrorist background AND his personal friendship with President-elect Obama. Why did he wait until after the election to answer questions about he and Obama? Because, he explained, he didn’t want to give credence to the “dishonest narrative” that was being spread around about him by internet bloggers.

Additionally, Ayers claimed in a written essay last week that John McCain didn’t participate in that “dishonest narrative” that tied Obama to his terrorist past, until McCain did a one-on-one interview with Sean Hannity. From there, the presidential campaign turned vitriolic - - all because of Hannity and the Fox Newschannel.

Additionally, Media Matters, a liberal, Washington, DC-based think tank group has for some time been compiling and publishing “research” on both local and national conservative talk radio hosts. Last week, Media Matters released a report documenting how conservative radio’s “vitriol” has not been “reserved for Obama,” and has targeted women, minorities, “immigrants,” and “autistic children.”

None of the incidents that they sight rise to the level of libel, or would be legally actionable, and are all based on individual hosts’ opinions. Yet they are nonetheless characterized as “attacks” that are intended to “foment hate and suspicion.”

The “Fairness Doctrine,” as it was once known, may or may not be on the horizon. But a plea to "stop the hate" is almost certainly in the works, and a call for “media reform” will necessarily follow.

Constitutionally protected “free speech” doesn’t matter nearly as much as people’s ability to create perceptions about that speech, and the stage is set for a full-scale demonization of conservative talk media on Capitol Hill.

Wheww! Finally, We Now Understand The Relationship Between Our President-Elect And An American Domestic Terrorist...

William Ayers has spoken.

Watch the video for yourself right HERE.

And notice how he "explains away" both his relationship with Mr. Obama, and his own behavior as a terrorist.

He was a "militant," fighting against the immoral atrocities of the Viet Nam War...and, to use his words, he was on "the right side" of the issue.

Understand what's going on here: The United States Military was fighting against aggression and encroachment of communists in South East Asia (hence "the Viet Nam War"), and William Ayers was bombing the United States Capitol, The Pentagon, and other public buildings...and he was on "the right side" of the issue.

So now, do you feel like you understand the terrorist-turned-university professor better? Can you "relate?" Do you now "empathize?" Are you now convinced that the ties between the terrorist and our President-elect are really "nothing?"

This is 60's, hippie-era, moral relativism at it's worst, and baby boomers should be ashamed of this.

We'll talk about this tonight on The Austin Hill Show. Join the show, and "share" the "understanding" that I'm sure is now deep within your heart. The number from anywhere in the U.S. is 1-888-630-WMAL.

Oh, and speaking of shameful, 60's, hippie-era, moral relativism....we'll also contemplate on the show tonight whether or not our President-elect should bring the Clintons into the administration.

This, and more, tonight from 8-10pm Eastern.

How Do You Like It So Far?

What is the "it" that I'm talking about?

"Hope" and "Change."

In 9 days, we've begun to see the President-elect's plans take shape.

A Clintonista as Chief Of Staff..

All Democrats in the transition team....

Government "owning" a percentage of American auto makers....

Federal funding for the United Nation's forced abortion programs...

Meanwhile, Russia is engaging in military manuevers in Venezuela AND Cuba...and Iran is testing missles....and our American mainstream media is focused on what kind of dog the Obama's should adopt for their White House stay.....

Let's talk about it tonight...as well as lots of other items....1-888-630-WMAL (9625) is the toll-free number to join the show...and listen online at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

This Should Be Interesting...........

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has changed course, at least a little bit, and now says that the U.S. Government will NOT buy back "troubled mortgage assets." He proposes that the so-called "bail out" money will be used to infuse lending institutions with capital.

So, are you confident that he knows what he's doing? Or is the problem much worse than he originally thought? Or is the Bush Administration - - Paulson included - - in a panic?

Also, about those "humanistic" billboards inhabiting the MetroRail's train stations.......what is the "message" in the billboards really saying? And if there is no God (or "god" to use the American Humanist Association's "little g" wording), then who decides what is "good?"

This and more, tonight on The Austin Hill Show. 1-888-630-WMAL if you want to join-in.......

Who DOESN'T "Deserve" A "Bailout?"

As we wrap-up day number 7 of "hope" and "change," word is that Speaker Pelosi wants a special legislative session to allow a financial bailout for America's automotive makers, General Motors specifically.

The details are HERE at the Wall Street Journal. And didn't I just predict this? If our government under Republican control was not going to allow banking and lending istitutions to fail, then our government under (more-less) Democratic control is sure as heck not going to allow an American automobile manufcaturer fail.



So who's next? Circuit City? You?

We'll talk about this tonight.



Also...The American Humanist Association has launched a new billboard ad campaign on the DC Metro. The signs read:

Why Believe In A "god?" Just Be Good, For Goodness Sake

(see photo above)

Got any problem with this? And what do you suppose it's supposed to "prove?"

Join the program at 1-888-630-WMAL. Listen NOW at www.TheAustinHillShow.Com

Esxcursions In Acceptable Forms Of American Bigotry...

Click HERE and watch the video for yourself (it's new video from Salt Lake City's KSL-TV News) - - a homosexual rights activist group in Los Angeles has taken direct aim at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, blaming "them" for the passage of California's Proposition 8, an amendment to the California state Constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between one man, and one woman.

The fact is, 70% of Obama supporters voted in favor of the Constitutional Amendment in California, along with the "mostly white" members of the Mormon church.

But the Mormons are the ones that are being singled-out.

Does this mean that in the Era of Obama, in the age of "Hope and Change," there is now a new minority group that is approriately singled-out and maligned - - Mormons?

We'll talk about this......and whether or not the US Federal Government should bail out General Motors, tonight on The Austin Hill Show.......call 1-888-630-WMAL if you care to join in the conversation.

Message To Conservatives: You Are Racists And Should Be Silenced

For a while I thought it was just me. But in the final days leading up to the national election, I began to notice it on both local and national talk shows around the country.

And now that we are a few days past Mr. Obama’s election night victory, it seems quite clear: things have gotten more intense, not less.

I’m writing here about the attacks that are being telephoned-in to conservative talk radio hosts around the country. I’ve noticed a consistent increase of people that I’ll call “Obama enthusiasts” popping-up as callers on conservative talk shows, and no matter what the topic on the show may be, the assertions from the callers follow a predictable pattern.

The precise choice of words that the caller uses in their line of attack may vary, but the pattern essentially goes like this: A) The caller asserts to the host that “all you ever do is attack Barack Obama;” B) The caller then comes around to asserting to the host that “you are obviously a “racist” (or “you are a bigot,” or “you think Black people are inferior to White people,” or something of that sort); and then the caller concludes with C) “you should be removed from the ‘public airwaves’” (or some variation of the general sentiment that “you should just be silenced” or “you should shut-up”).

Now let me be clear: I’m not complaining about this, not at all. In fact, I welcome it on my talk show at 630 WMAL radio in Washington, D.C. It’s no secret that talk radio thrives in controversy, and conversely, a talk show can become boring if everyone is “in agreement” with the host.

But entertaining talk show content is one thing. And the broader implications of people’s words outside of a talk show can be something different (I’m reminded here of the many times over the years that I’ve heard Rush say “words mean things”). And the implications, the “meaning,” of the pattern that I’ve identified above, seems to be this: If you so much as question the President-elect, you are necessarily a “racist,” and your voice should, therefore, be removed from the public square.

I must also add that, while the hostility I’m hearing on conservative talk radio is mostly directed at white, male hosts, it’s not necessarily a “black against white” phenomena. For example, on my show last Friday while I was discussing Mr. Obama’s remarks about the economy at his recent press conference, I received a call from “Roberto,” a man with a Hispanic sounding accent in Arlington, VA. Roberto’s opening salvo was to say that I was being “patronizing” when I pronounced his name with the traditional, Spanish “rolling R” sound.

Now, I grew up in Southern California surrounded by Spanish speakers, and I was taught by my “white Mom” that, as a matter of respect, I should speak Spanish as it was intended to be spoken, and NOT like a “gringo.”

But never mind that “respect” thing. As far as Roberto was concerned, I was just simply offensive. And then, of course, the pattern kicked-in - - I was questioning the President-elect’s remarks because I’m a racist, and therefore I should be silenced.


I’ve heard this rhetoric enough times, and on so many different talk shows in addition to my own, that I believe there is some organizational effort behind it. I’m not insinuating that the finger prints of our President-elect are on this, and the participants in this might be quite loosely organized, at best.

But there is a certain mindset, a certain philosophy that underlies this rhetoric, and it is becoming more widespread. It is the belief that if you are not in lock-step with the President-elect’s agenda, or if you even so much as dare to question it, you are obviously motivated by your hatred of ethnic minorities, and you have no place in the broad national debate. And it is an anathema to our freedoms under the First Amendment.

Conservative Americans in particular need to understand that in this new era, the rules have changed. And to understand this change, conservatives need to begin by reading “Rules For Radicals,” a book published in 1971 by noted “community organizer” (and a man who is said to have influenced Mr. Obama) Saul Alinsky.

Column space is limited here, so you’ll have to get a copy of the book for yourself. But consider this notion from Alinsky’s rule #5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.”And consider this language from rule #11, wherein Alinsky suggests that the main job of a “community organizer” is to bait his opponent into reacting in a certain way: “The enemy properly goaded and guided in his reaction will be your major strength.”

Welcome to the new era of "Hope And Change."

Why No Talk Of Taxes? And Where's "The Love?"

In his first press conference since becoming President-elect, Barack Obama reiterated the dyer economic conditions that we are in, and talked about the immediate need for an "economic stimulus" plan.

By why no discussion about the promised tax hikes on rich people?

Obama made it a central theme of his 22 month campaign to "roll back Bush's tax cuts for the rich" - - which is to say, he intended to "raise" taxes on the rich.

In other words, he PROMISED to economically punish rich people and to get even with them.

So now, after he's won election and he needs to talk specifically about the economy, why not show how he's going to "get even" with those evil rich folks??

Another point.....I've noticed a tremendous uptick in the number of callers to my show, and other "conservative" talk shows - - including The Mike Gallagher Show, The Sean Hannity Show, and yes - - even The Rush Limbaugh Show - - from angry "Obama supporters" who want to reassure all us conservative talkers that we're bigots, and racists, and we should just "shut up" and get off the air.

Why the hate? Where's the Love??

We'll talk about this, and more tonight, on The Austin Hill Show - - www.TheAustinHillShow.Com for streaming audio. To join the program, it's 1-888-630-WMAL.

So, What Are YOUR Expectations?

Today The Economist Magazine in London published a piece stating that now, having won an extraordinary victory, President-Elect Barack Obama is having to figure out "who he's going to disappoint."

In other words, Obama has set expectations so incredibly high among his many fans and supporters that he cannot possibly meet all those expectations.

Similarly, Rick Moran at Pajamas Media had a first-hand account of these extraordinarly high expecations of Obama's supporters, while he was "in the crowd" at Obama's election night speech in Chicago.

And the amazing video of Florida resident Peggy Joseph, stating that with an Obama Presidency, "I won't have to worry about putting gas in my car" and "I won't have to worry about paying my mortgage" has been making its way around in cyberspace, and on talk radio.

So, given all these "great" expecations......what do you expect from President Obama? In the first 30 days, in the first 100 days, in 4 years?

Good or bad, we'll discuss this, tonight on The Austin Hill Show.

To join the program, it's 1-888-630-WMAL.

....And what Other Industries Does He Want To Bankrupt???

A recording of Obama saying that he plans to bankrupt the coal industry in America has surfaced (get the details HERE).

And it begs the question.......what other industries would he liked to destroy?

Also..........is Obama sounding defensive?

Clark Judge, former Speech Writer for Presidents George HW Bush and Ronald Reagan, thinks so.......read his analysis HERE.

We'll talk about this, and more, tonight on The Austin Hill Show.
Call 1-888-630-WMAL from anywhere in the United States to join the program.

"Selfishness," "Neighborliness," "Fair," "Unfair," And Other Concepts That Even A Kid Can Understand...

Here's my weekly column for Townhall Dot Com that will post Sunday (tommorrow) morning. There is so much I have to say (and will say) on this subject shortly...but for now, an "advance relase" of Sunday's thoughts.

Barack Obama And The Economics Of Sesame Street

by Austin Hill

Forget Wall Street. And forget Main Street. The economic considerations in both those places - - fraught with all that crazy obsessing over start-up capital, balance sheets, budget projections, profit and loss statements, and so forth - - that’s just all too complicated.

So let’s not even try to think about those things. And while we’re not thinking, let’s usher-in a new President who can shelter us from the harsh considerations of risk and reward, market competition, investment and planning, and all the rest. Let’s elect a President who has distilled economic realities into simple juxtapositions that even a kid can understand- - things like “fairness” versus “unfairness,” and “selfishness” versus “neighborliness.”

That’s right, it’s time for President Obama and the economics of Sesame Street.

Does that sound harsh? Well, consider this: while most Americans find it distasteful, if not blasphemous, to single-out a minority group for undue maligning and punishment, Senator Obama has made “profiling” of a “minority group” a normative thing. We’re not talking here about a racial or cultural or sexual minority. We’re talking about a socioeconomic minority - - the more economically productive people in our society, or, to put in Obama-speak, the group he vaguely defines as “rich people” - - and punishing this minority group is, by his definition, “fair” and “neighborly.”

It’s true. When Senator Obama was interviewed by Bill O’Rielly at the Fox Newschannel in September of this year, O’Rielly began the segment on taxation policy by saying to the Senator “you’re a big ‘tax the rich’ guy, aren’t ya?” Near the end of the discussion, Obama asserted that it is a matter of “neighborliness” to take ever-increasing levels of cash from the nation’s highest income earners, and give it to lower income earners.

And let me be clear: this is not what I envision for my neighborhood, or my country. But for the very multi-cultural, Mister “I-grew-up-in-Indonesia-and-I’ve-seen-how-terrible-America-is-from-the-other-side” Barack Obama, this is the way things ought to be.

Days after the O’Rielly interview, Obama’s running mate Senator Joe Biden made the redistributionist economics even more easily understood. “We want to take money” Biden told a host at ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” (with no reference to whose money he wants to ‘take” or how the money is earned), “and put it in the pockets of the middle class.” He quickly followed up that explanation by insisting that the plan was “patriotic,” and was all about “fairness.”

And now after roughly three weeks of McCain and Palin questioning the wisdom of Obama’s redistributionist economic plans (and just when you thought he could not possibly get more “audacious”), we saw Obama introduce another emotive, Sesame Street-friendly term into the big economic debate last Friday. McCain and Palin, according to the Senator, have made a virtue out of “selfishness.” That’s right, those of us who want to retain most of our hard-earned revenues - - those of us who think that we can manage our money to better ends than government agencies can - - we are “selfish.”

If only we would practice our “neighborliness” a bit more often…

It’s sad that economics - - a subject that is dry and boring and academic to some, yet it is essential to our very essence as human beings - - has been so horribly trivialized and reduced down to a few simple, emotive categories. And yet the campaign is working phenomenally well. I hear from the “Obama Automatons” on a regular basis, when they call in to my talk show at Washington, DC’s 630 WMAL radio.

Just last Friday I took a call from a gentleman who, with campaign talking points in hand, insisted to me that there is no need for concern about Obama’s economic plans - - he just wants to change course from the “disastrous policies” of the Bush years and return America to the economic prosperity of the Clinton era.

“Oh really,” I said to him, “what was the capital gains tax rate while Bill Clinton was President?”

“I don’t know” the caller replied.

“And what is Mr. Obama proposing for a capital gains tax rate?” I asked.

“I‘m not sure,” he said, “I’m not an expert.”

“I understand” I said to the man. “You’re just reading the campaign talking points and you weren’t expecting any questions from me…”

“I am not just reading talking points” the man shouted angrily. “I work in Obama’s campaign as a volunteer.”

“And yet you still have no idea what you’re talking about with Obama’s economic proposals - - that‘s very interesting” I replied, as I thanked him for his call and moved on.

I suspect there are millions of Americans who have absolutely no comprehension of the substance of Obama’s proposals, yet they have worked for, and will vote for “Hope” and “Change.”

I hope they’re able to enjoy their Sesame Street economic fantasy while it lasts.