What I find strange about this crisis is the seeming disconnect with what passes for political debate in the US Presidential election.  Have McCain, Obama, Clinton et al given the slightest indication that they understand the magnitude of what is going on?  Does winning the Presidency depend on reflecting the voters apparent denial/ignorance of what is going on?  It seems that the reality of the financial meltdown and the failure of the "reform" ideology is so far out of sync with the comfortable cliches of politics-as-you-were that we are in danger of providing a democratic mandate to Neroism - a collective fiddling while Rome burns.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."