When I was in grad. school, in my psychopathology course, I never placed a label or diagnostic category on anyone. I preferred to describe the problems as they exist for each unique individual. One day a fellow student challenged me on this, presuming I could not use diagnostic terminology. So I showed him. And the professor broke into such laughter that he nearly had tears. (Fortunately for me, he surmised all along that I knew what I was doing.)

Gloria, you are a “socialist.” If you volunteered in an AIDS clinic, and write the trenchant social criticism that you do in these lines, this means that you have A) concern for people and B) dislike for the way the corporate supersystem causes social suffering. That’s all that is required.

At the same time, politics is dead when thinking adults are without the representation of a “group’s agenda.” We are then fully atomized.

Viatical settlements helped many people. But what began as a need-driven industry now is a greed-driven industry with no redeeming features. Few seniors sell policies because they need cash and, when they do, they rarely are paid as much as 30 percent of the death benefit. If they have a spouse or other dependents, that means a great loss. The reason is that fraudulently acquired life insurance (STOLI) are so much cheaper: between two and ten percent. In other words, this no longer serves consumers in need.

But with Tim Geithner in charge of the treasury, and looking at all his pals–the Wall Streets with whom he speaks daily while ignoring those who face foreclosure and could be saved, it’s likely this will be the cause of the next economic meltdown.

I have no faith in Congress enacting anything with teeth, given that most are acutely beholden to the lobbyists and their employers.

I don’t consider myself a socialist, and I don’t identify with any particular group’s agenda, but I am glad for the attention you gave this issue.