Waiting for true leadership, reform

Wall Street needs America more than America needs Wall Street. On paper, money isn't as good as money earned the old fashioned way, and you can't earn it faster that Americans can work to create and maintain those profits.

America should leave that "microwave" mentality behind and build safer and "greener." We don't all need it now, and it isn't always fun waiting to get it. What ever happened to funding research and development departments, or did we really think we could just do the same thing over and over? By the way, that is the definition of insanity. The assets are depreciated; what is next?

Not sure how the government's budget works, but if, as a recent media coverage suggests, 50 percent of Americans' earnings go to housing and 20 percent plus to taxes, what is left? The welfare to work programs should include subsidies for middle class families. It seems the rich have plenty and the under - privileged get a lot of help with day care/college expenses. Those of us working would just like to see more than 25 - 30 percent of our earnings.

This American is waiting and hoping for leadership and true reform in a way that would make our founding fathers proud. As we study history and learn they were almost persecuted for opinions and writing documents like the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Emancipation Proclamation, shouldn't we learn it is time to do the right thing for the right reasons and not anything for no real reason? They were brilliant with the checks and balance system. Our current day "Sarbanes Oxley" is working, but now is getting over-interpreted. Maybe taking away the "creative financials" and having the SEC require cash-basis books and GAAP books would help all of us see clearly what is really going on.

Jill Sagi

Roselle