Some Valium With That Omelet Please

(CBS)  This column was written by CBS News Early Show Co-Anchor Harry Smith.

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I spent the morning at the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, N.J. There is an interesting mix of folks here; pharmaceutical industry, truck drivers, firefighters, retirees, even a lawyer or two.

Not exactly a scientific sampling, but a cross-section to be sure.

Anger at Congress was palpable.

There were plenty of people who were mad that the bailout bill wasn't passed, and there were plenty of people who are so mad at Wall Street they hope the bailout, especially as it stands now, remains defeated.

Many people said, "Look, the market has survived before, it will survive now. Let the flow, and let the market heal itself."

A retiree said, "Get on with it already. My nerves are shot. My savings are disappearing."

And the firefighter said, "I guess I'll just have to work the rest of my life."

Across the street, a giant drug factory was humming with activity. "It's the place that invented Valium," some smart aleck said.

Maybe they should put that in the omelets -- and make mine a double.

[normsw]

I''m 76, working in security, now for another 4 years thanks to Bush and his rotten economy and high prices.
Closed out my stock acct. after a 25% loss 6 mos ago.

This nation is in a turmoil and there is no easy fix.
A start might be to vote out every incumbent in Congress and start over. New faces, new ideas instead of more of the same. Congress and the stock market have got to stop sleeping together.

[inventagod2]

Please support the Bu$h ''No Banker Left Behind'' bailout plan...

Because Bu$h would never lie to America!