GGULF SPILL: Obama tries to quell rising public discontent with U.S. efforts Katie Howell, E&E reporter (Energy and Environment)

President Obama vowed today that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill would be contained and attempted again to address concerns about the disaster as a new poll showed growing dissatisfaction over the federal response.

"This will be contained," Obama said after meeting with his Cabinet at the White House. "The one thing I'm absolutely confident about is -- as we have before -- we will get through this crisis."

Where are Sarah Palin and the Tea Party nincompoops when we need them most?

Free markets at work. Let the oil go where it may. Let those states and businesses impacted take care of this catastrophe at the local level. This is none of the Federal Governments business!

Inept government regulation at work.

Something for everyone.

The solution: For those of us who can think, a simple government rule/regulation would have prevented this environmental catastrophe. No oil drilling permit issued to any one without demonstrating a fail-safe shut off system like nuclear power reactors are required to have.

So, raise your hand if you believe in free markets, without government intervention! All those in favor say aye! Those opposed say nay!

I am still with the ayes. The pain caused by, even a corrupt free market, while severe, is better than the false promise of a politically motivated government intervention. Too bad very few Americans have the stomach for a truly free market save for when supported against the competition.

I am on no team save for the team that tries to speak the truth so that we can have some real progress. Our politicians feed us what we demand---good news, from the majority party, bad news from the minority, until an election reverses the roles!!!

My note of a few weeks ago about the tape (the stock market indices) not lying about the economy is now also true. The bet was that things were getting better but since we wallpapered over the facts, once the paper peeled we are left with an emperor with no clothes.

Yes President Obama’s policies of intervention did not work, and businesses from the banks to real estate, to British Petroleum, to Fannie and Freddie, to auto companies, and farmers and home owners, and seniors and …on and on…all, wanting someone else’s help when things go south. I wonder what would happen to crop prices without continued government support?

Well, our investment portfolios are down and I expect nothing. This is a good market to buy into. Reason: if things go south much from here, significantly, we will be in a depression!