Creators.com - Creators Syndicate Molly Ivins

The economy is a mess. We are now in the second dip of a double-dip recession. ("Looks like a W," say the economists, another reason why economists are not famous for their humor.) Six and a quarter trillion dollars has disappeared from the stock markets.

Clinton had set up two multinational efforts to get a handle on offshore banking. Bush came in and promptly dismantled both efforts. After Sept. 11, the need to track terrorist money became urgent, and Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill was put in charge of the effort, with Congress swiftly providing a new law for him to work with. After several months, Senate hearings indicated that O'Neill was dragging his feet on this effort. Poverty is up, unemployment is up, 40 million Americans don't have health insurance, we have allowed unrestrained greed to ruin the economy and the president wants to know, "What, apart from government, can we do?"

The most commonly asked political question in America today is, "Where the hell are the Democrats?" The answer is they're also corrupted by campaign financing, but since they are the only ones likely to do anything about this mess, I suggest the gutless wonders that pass for an opposition party in Washington get up off their fat duffs and get to work.