I seee some comments regarding Daschle as saying "where is the change"?

The change has happened! The mob boss rule of Bush/Cheney, who have allowed their super-wealthy pals to steal trillions on wall street and bankrupt this nation, is comming to an end.

As is the rule of their pals, the christian taliban, who represent an even greater threat to our freedom then al-qaeda.

For after they finish denigrating and denying the fundamental decency and humanity of our gay citizens, it is you, who ever you are, who will be the subject of their religious hatreds, all in the Name of God, but really to blind our good religious people to the Mob that has taken over the heirarchy of the republican party.

Different only in degree then what hitler did in 1938 to the Jews, to consolidate absolute power, and give us WWII, and 70 million deaths, including the Holocaust.

To the good republicans who realize what has happeened for the last 8 years, you must retake control of your party, make it a progressive, but moderately conservative party who deserve a seat at the table of government, where all good ideas are considered, for the benefit of our nation.

Funny - it's as Chomsky said, there is interest now because of businesses...

I keep pinching myself that this is all really happening. Maybe we will all be very disappointed two years from now. But as of now I'm very hopeful we'll get an administration that'll actually try to get some things done. Think about that..

Daschle is an excellent choice. I always thought he got a bum rap in 04 when he got defeated in one of the Republicans' trade mark "patriotic" and "family values" campaigns. But the left didn't seem to like him much, either, because they thought he proved too ineffective in standing up to the Bush junta.

Well, he'll have the opportunity to show them wrong now. Good choice, President Obama!

Just as a frame of reference, the term that has been applied to the system here in Denmark is "flexicurity".

Most Americans would probably mark it as profoundly socialist, but politicians here are very proud of the "flexicurity" model - perhaps too proud, since it does have its own problems. Still, it has proven itself effective, since Denmark is one of Europe's most competitive countries despite really high wage/price and tax levels.

The general philosophy is to have a flexible work force coupled with a high level of social security for individuals and families.

So, in Denmark it is very easy to fire people or quit your job (1 month notice). At the same time, it is very easy for people to exist despite being jobless. A substantial social allowance, free university educations and universal health care are the main pivots of this system.

The main benefit is that you get skilled people placed in optimal settings, and that companies only need offer extra health insurance as a perk. Main downside is high taxes, and a politicised health care system where deadlocked policies can lead to stagnation and inefficiency.

We are battling the latter right now, as a matter of fact - even if I know I would prefer the Danish system to yours, were I anything below middle class.