Miami, Florida

Dow down 45 on Friday. Gold up over $1,300. Nothing much happening.

Meanwhile, we had no proof. Just an observation. But it looks to us as though government always begins and ends as a tool for those who control it. It is not the product of a 'social contract.' It is not an expression of the 'general will.' It is not the 'price we pay for civilization.' It is not 'captured by wealthy special interests.' On the contrary, it is as blunt and stupid as a crow-bar...used by the elite to pry wealth, status and power away from everyone else.

Few victims of the public school system believed us, but now cometh a study from Princeton and Northwestern universities proving we were right. UPI reports:

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Oligarchy is a form of government in which power is vested in a dominant class and a small group exercises control over the general population.

A new study from Princeton and Northwestern Universities concluded that the U.S. government represents not the interests of the majority of citizens but those of the rich and powerful.

"Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens" analyzed extensive data, comparing nearly 1,800 U.S. policies enacted between 1981 and 2002 with the expressed preferences of average and affluent Americans as well as special interest groups.

The resulting data empirically verifies that U.S. policies are determined by the economic elite.

"The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on US government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence," says the peer-reviewed study.

"The Republicans are using the old DC trick of spending less than originally planned and calling that reduced spending increase a $5.1 trillion cut in spending. Only in DC could a budget that increases spending by 3.5 percent per year instead of by 5.2 percent per year be attacked as a "slash-and-burn" plan. Last week's budget debate showed how little difference there lies between the parties when it comes to preserving the warfare-welfare state. One side may prefer more warfare while the other prefers more welfare, but neither side actually wants to significantly reduce the size and scope of government."

The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said "the greatest threat to our national security is our debt." In the final analysis Ryan is not a leader, he's just another puppet of the military industrial complex. If he really cared about American defense he would take up some of the many ways to stop wasting money and make America truly stronger and more competent.