PutinToon 56 - Putin Goes to Disneyland

HUCK FINN COMMENTS: Let's face it. We all wear masks. Whether we admit it or not. If you're single and trying to pick up a girl, you wear a mask. Your mask shows off confidence and coolness. Hey, at least that's what The Pick Up Artist says on MTV. I don't know for sure because I can't afford his $3,000 course, because I'm too busy trying to keep my head above the water during this recession.

Last week, I read an article in USA Today headlined, "There is No Recession."

I hate to admit it, but I skipped around like a six-year-old from exhilaration and pure joy. I was in public when I read the

article so I had to stop myself from jumping on a table and yelling, "America, there is no recession!"

I didn't have to do any of this because the "No Recession" message was confirmed by Bernake, Chairman of the Federal Reserve. However, I came down to earth quickly when I looked at The Wall Street Journal. It was full of articles showing signs that America is in recession.

I asked myself, what the hell's going on here? I'm not smart like Bernanke, but there's no way we aren't in recession.

I don't care what signs the Federal Reserve sees, on the street I see a lot of scared people.

Financial markets and our banking system are based on psychology as much as reality. Perception is reality. Everywhere I turn, I see the subprime fiasco rearing its ugly head. I want to bury the damn subprime articles in the sand and move on, but they keep popping up.

The subprime isn't what really worries me. It's the prime markets.

There will be a domino effect and what's going to happen to the psychology of the markets when the prime markets begin to be affected? Someone will pay for the subprime losses and it won't be Donald Duck.

Even today, the current candidates are afraid to mention recession. I hope Putin will run for U.S. president under The Amerikan Party after the March 2nd Russian presidential elections. Maybe Putin can announce to America that we're in recession.

None of the candidates will bring up the recession because they're too busy wearing their masks.

Obama is wearing his Chameleon mask to show 'Change.' Hillary is wearing her Dog mask to show 'Bitch.' McCain is wearing his Hue Hefner mask, Huckabee is wearing his Jesus mask, and Ron Paul...  he's wearing his Ron Paul mask. What you see is what you get with Ron Paul.

I, Huck Finn, of sound mind and body, predict whoever wins the White House wins the recession house-warming gift from George W. Bush (See PutinToon 53).

The biggest question for all candidates is how they're going to deal with recession when oil prices are hovering around $100 per barrel.

Hey, there's one mask I'd like to wear right now. I'd like to wear the Richie Rich mask so that I can weather out this recession nightmare. Whoever says money can't make you happy is wearing the Liar Mask.

Huck Finn, Chairman, The Amerikan Party

"Smart-Ass Politics for Smart People.” ^TM