Afghanistan War is 'Cuckoo,' Says Blair's Favorite General

Martin Crutsinger / AP | February 1, 2007

WASHINGTON - People once again spent everything they made and then some
last year, pushing the personal savings rate to the lowest level since the
Great Depression more than seven decades ago.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the savings rate for all of
2006 was a negative 1 percent, meaning that not only did people spend all
the money they earned but they also dipped into savings or increased
borrowing to finance purchases. The 2006 figure was lower than a negative
0.4 percent in 2005 and was the poorest showing since a negative 1.5
percent savings rate in 1933 during the Great Depression.

This week, in an unusual move, the Bush administration is sending virtually
the entire economic "A-team" to visit China for a "strategic economic
dialogue" in Beijing Dec. 14 and 15.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
are leading the delegation, along with five other cabinet-level officials,
including Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez. Also in the delegation
will be Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Health and Human Services Secretary
Mike Leavitt, Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, and U.S. Trade Representative
Susan Schwab.
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5