Understanding the economy

Here is an immensely insightful article on the (US) economy:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10697

And here is an article that explains why the oil prices are currently in grave fluctuation:

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/4672

Despite campaign promises to the contrary, promising a cabinet of non-lobbyists with regulations to prevent corporate ties to government, here is just one of many articles I have read recently that raise big questions as to the potential for 'change' in Obama that we were once hoping for:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/us/politics/04emanuel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss