(CBS) Certain financial statistics are troubling contributor Ben Stein these days. . . Start with the obvious: This great country is in a very severe recession. Full Article at CBS News

I'm not a big fan of Ben Stein's politics, but I couldn't agree more with his advice on this video: Life goes better with dogs. (And let me add: cats. Or for that matter, birds, bunnies - any living creature). And what perfect timing! Full Article at Miami Herald

I guess Glenda won’t have to use ‘Vick’s Vapor Rub’ this time. How is it this dope is one of the leading voices of the GOP? Oh, right, the GOP is the fringe now. He really did crazy himself into obscurity, how fitting. Full Article at Think Progress

Anne, with the Saints by Quin Hillyer I'm Being Tested by Ben Stein Battle Cry in the North Country by Robert Stacy McCain Sign up to receive our hard-hitting and timely features every month! Full Article at American Spectator

Commentator Ben Stein, noted economist Dr. Robert Genetski, and Clark Investment Strategies, Inc. Full Article at Emediawire.com

Then Stein says point blank the only group who can and should be taxed are the rich because, “By definition, the truly rich have a lot more money than they need. Full Article at Concurring Opinions

Larry King sighed when he came back from a commercial break on Monday. "I wish we had more time." Full Article at Huffington Post

Ben Stein is always worth a read. He may be the smartest commentator since Buckley. WE FIGURED HIM OUT! Why is President Barack Obama in such a hurry to get his socialized medicine bill passed? Full Article at Town Hall

MALVEAUX: Well, the truth is, too, is that Americans are divided politically over this issue. Full Article at Newsbusters

We all know just how wonderful dogs are, what great companions, how beneficial to our lives and health and happiness but here’s a good one, Ben Stein talks about dogs helping to not only get you through just abut any problems you have in life with a... Full Article at For the Love of the Dog

The following celebrities were born on November 25: Christina Applegate is 38. Kathryn Crosby is 76. Percy Sledge is 69. Bob Lind is 65. Ben Stein is 65. John Larroquette is 62. Amy Grant is 49. Full Article at Damn I'm Cute

Actress Kathryn Crosby is 76. Singer Percy Sledge is 69. Singer Bob Lind is 65. Actor-game show host Ben Stein is 65. Actor John Larroquette is 62. Singer Amy Grant is 49. Singer Mark Lanegan (Queens of the Stone Age and Screaming Trees) is 45. Full Article at Atlanta Journal Constitution Blogs

Actress Kathryn Crosby is 76. Singer Percy Sledge is 69. Game show host Ben Stein is 65. Actor John Larroquette is 62. Singer Amy Grant is 49. Singer Stacy Lattisaw is 43. Actress Jill Hennessy ( Crossing Jordan) is 40. Actress Christina Applegate is 38. Full Article at Miami Herald

Um... I am an atheist and an Independent w/strong Democratic leanings... :) Check out an email I got this week from an ex-coworker and friend of almost 20 years: I found this to be very truthful and interesting. Full Article at Pam's House Blend

There is a small cadre of Economists — original thinkers, contrarians, out of the box theorists — I respect a great deal. It is a modest list ranging from Richard Thaler to David Rosenberg to Robert Shiller, with lots of econ wonks in between. Full Article at The Big Picture

doesn't have a comedian that swears every other sentence because you never know who is in the crowd. DUBLIN — He went through a terrible divorce. He doesn't make a lot of money. Full Article at Inside Bay Area

Quick Vote How has the $787 billion stimulus package affected the economy? Full Article at CNN/Money

The United States must be approaching the end of the recession when economists begin offering their retrospectives. Even if the data are pointing to an end to the recession, in technical terms, the economy is a long way from recovery. Full Article at Consumerism Commentary

I recently attended my high school's 75th anniversary celebration in Silver Spring, Md. , a good 10-hour drive from Stowe. My favorite teacher was a nominee to be one of the first inductees into the school's Hall of Fame. Full Article at Burlington Free Press