Here is a spot-on article from Michael Lewis, author of "Liar's Poker" and "Moneyball," which explains the root cause of the current financial mess.

The Obama victory is the final nail in the coffin of the age of corpulence. Fat people with fat cars and fat McMansions due to fat paychecks based on a fake economy....the age of corpulence. From here on out we're due for a reality check. Starting with the financial system, we'll modernize the regulatory framework so that things like credit default swaps don't slip by under the radar and the American taxpayer has to foot the bill when the whole thing comes crashing down, a.k.a. "de-leveraging." Call it the "fat flush plan" if you will.

Vindication, victory! First drink in two months, by the way.

Am I wrong in thinking the 30 minute ad buy in prime time for Obama's campaign has a hidden danger in turning off folks who might be on the fence? Something in my gut tells me this is a bad idea. Or maybe I'm drinking too much tea or something? I secretly hope the World Series doesn't go to game 6. I just hope that whatever the content is doesn't give fodder for those who might think this is an arrogant, "measuring the drapes" kind of thing. I wonder whether it's necessary.

Evacuate? In our moment of triumph?

I'm reminded of that line in Star Wars this morning, turned on its end, I guess. Before I started my daily round of blog reading, I was thinking to myself: "Eight days until this Historic election, and it's looking good for Obama and thus, for America!"

And then I start reading about the coming right wing populist fascism that will threaten our very fabric. This is gloom and doom stuff. Something in the water, perhaps? I read it here, here and here. The election hasn't happened yet, folks. Let's get to that bridge first.

As if we didn't already know that the McCain campaign's final solution, if you will, to try and eke out a win was through race baiting, now there's this hoax which seals the deal. Now, I'm not saying they planted the hoax, but they were all too quick to hop on board.

And I think it's one of the reasons why moderate, and thinking Repubs are doing the previously unthinkable and endorsing Obama. There's a lot of fear to go around these days, but I do think a fear of being pegged on the wrong side of history is a real one. Say what you want about McCain the man. At best he's unable to control the machinations of his own campaign, and that would say a lot about his aptitude or ability to lead the Executive branch. At worst? Well, I suspect it looks, walks and quacks like a duck.

So, Hank Jr.'s against Obama. Shocker. These guys are still bitter over the "bitter" flap. What's worse, saying (and I'm paraphrasing now) "I can see why some might get bitter and cling to slogans like 'god, guts and guns' without thinking shit through about the plutocrats in disguise they've been voting for all these years?" Or saying (still paraphrasing) "People who live in small towns are the only real Americans. If you live in a big city you're anti-american." I am reminded why I hated the rednecks in my home town as a kid. I hope it goes without saying that not everyone in my town was a redneck, and I have long lasting friendships from there as well as places I've lived since. But in this climate, it seems everyone's in lockstep with their given stereotype. Yet I am at least encouraged by this news.