Yesterday I woke up to hear that unemployment in Oregon has hit 8.1%, and that even before this recession workers in the state were losing ground in terms of real wages, despite the fact that Oregon has had the largest increase in worker productivity of any state in the nation during the Bush preznitcy.

But George and Dick say, “So what?” to this as they take their valedictory lap leaving nothing but death and mayhem in their wake, and Juan Williams wonders why the Iraqis are such goddamn ingrates, while Hank Paulson meets with GOP Senate über-prick and serial liar Bob Corker about how best to drive a Confederate flag pole through the beating heart of the UAW.

They really do want to take the country down with them. There is no other plausible explanation. If you know, with mathematical certainty, that the bankruptcy of the Big Three will send a nuclear shock wave through the economy, decimating at least 3 million (and perhaps as many as 10 million) jobs, when unemployment is already hitting record levels, what the hell else could you be trying to accomplish?

The new fashion accessory for 2009 will be the begging bowl.