Does this format look wrong? Change your preferences to receive this newsletter as plain text.

Things I Learned
in 2008
Despite the cruel economic blows [of 2008], the generous spirit of Americans remains intact.

Tough year, 2008. Many Americans got badly hurt by the economic chaos which hit them like a back alley mugger. What a disgrace. Wall Street hustlers gamed the system by trafficking in bad loans while Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission looked the other way. Awful.

So, I learned a painful lesson from all that: Big Brother is not watching out for us. Orwell had it wrong. We are pretty much on our own, as the federal government simply cannot or will not protect the folks from danger. Never again will I assume the feds are looking out for me.

I understand that sounds cynical. And I do believe that the Bush administration did apply very tough policies that made it much more difficult for terrorists to attack us. But on the homefront, federal and state governments continue to tax workers to the max while wasting much of the revenue on foolish projects designed to get politicians votes. If this continues, it is only a matter of time before America's economy completely tanks.

Continue reading the full column...

Every weekday, one lucky subscriber to this newsletter wins a signed copy of A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, simply for being a subscriber! You could be next!

• Denise S., Byhalia, MS
• James M., Thousand Oaks, CA
• Woody A., Tillamook, OR

Bill returns to the airwaves on Monday, January 5, 2009 with all-new installments of The O'Reilly Factor and The Radio Factor! Don't miss new interviews with Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich and 20/20's John Quiñones plus much more... all new next week!