Trickle down theory

Intended or not, the Fed's quantitative easing policies are destroying the dollar's value. That's pushing prices of commodities that Americans need -- such as food, cotton and oil -- ever higher. And it hurts companies as well as consumers.

Bernanke's zero-interest-rate policy is backfiring. Only the wealthy benefit from rising financial assets, as average Americans take on more debt and grow poorer. Worse, risky speculation is again being rewarded.

The controversy still rages over Joe the Plumber, who has been raked over the coals by the media and bloggers for asking presidential candidate Barack Obama a question about his tax plan. He's been accused of being a plant and an outright liar, and his divorce and delinquent taxes have been...