We need to distinguish the sovereign state from the people it governs, and the other political institutions between.
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America's ugly, ideological hostage-takers
As the US hurtles towards debt default, there's a growing sense that Tea Party acolytes may well be prepared to deliberately tank the economy if it ensures a one-term Obama and future power for them. It is ugly ideology.
Read MoreThe big tanks of the US auto industry running on empty
The American auto industry car tsars took their corporate jets to Washington to plead poverty, but the Big Three's warnings of catastrophic job losses haven't convinced senators to ride to their rescue
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