2008 was to the American economy what 9/11 was to national security. Yet while 9/11 prompted the U.S. government to tear up half the Constitution in the name of public safety, after 2008, authorities went in the other direction.

In the old days, when you took out a mortgage, it was probably through a local bank or a credit union, and whoever gave you your loan held on to it for life. If you lost your job or got too sick to work and suddenly had trouble making your payments, you could call a human being and work things out.

This is America: Corporate stealing is practically the national pastime, and Goldman Sachs is far from the only company to get away with doing it.

I mean, people who say that the Tea Party isn't a grassroots movement, I think, are incorrect. I think in some respects, it is a grassroots movement.

America's always had a real passion for lunatic movements. That's one of the things we're probably known for around the world, I would imagine.

In America, it takes about two weeks in the limelight for the whole country to think you've been around for years.

One of the great cliches of campaign journalism is the notion that American elections have long since ceased to be about issues and ideas.