In case you were wondering how the world works... Just finished reading Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. It is incredibly frightening. Even if the direct NSA involvement stuff is not true (and I believe it is), the clear explanation of the role that foreign loans have in giving America leverage with poor countries while enriching their elites and impoverishing their populaces and the discussion of the "religion of economic growth" is eye-opening and enlightening, if tremendously depressing.  ¶ 3:29 PM