"Branding Christianity" by John Whitehead is confusing. (See River Cities' Reader Issue 699, August 27-September 2, 2008.)

In the first place, Rick Warren is not "America's pastor." There is no "America's pastor" any more than there is "America's rabbi" or "America's imam." If we could get that straight, perhaps our presidential candidates would not feel like they have to "pander" to us. Rick Warren is a nice guy, but he is not "the future of Christianity in America." We have thousands of spiritual leaders in our country. A few of them are brilliant and/or charismatic. Most of them are simply faithful and hard-working. We should listen to them, study our own sacred texts, and, yes, "speak truth to power."

I will start by taking for granted that most people feel that our economy is struggling and that higher prices are being felt.  But why is our economy struggling? 

One of the biggest reasons is inflation.  So, what exactly is inflation and why is it a problem?  Inflation has recently been redefined as a rise in prices; however, real inflation is an increase in the money supply (a.k.a. printing money and credit out of thin air), and this leads to overall higher prices.

For our dollar, the increase in the money supply has been alarming and devastating to everyday Americans.  The money supply inflation has been at about 15 percent, which is much higher than most Americans' yearly pay raise.  This is devastating to Americans because our earnings and savings are worth less and less; for example, it takes $3.60 to buy a gallon of gas instead of $2.

When City Hall dispatched LeClaire Park into the hands of casino hotel developers, the discussion was held in the third floor conference room of the Kahl Building-the only public notice, tacked up on a City Hall kiosk that afternoon.

I understand that money talks. I understand voters need to be heard. (See "Best of the Quad Cities," River Cities' Reader Issue 671, February 13-19, 2008.)