Dear Mark: I recently watched President Obama's top two economic advisers, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, interviewed on the talking heads shows. They both basically said the administration has not ruled out tax increases on the middle class in order to pay down the deficit and also pay for the president's health care plan. During the campaign, Obama promised that under his plan to fix the economy, no one earning less than $250,000 a year would see a tax increase. Press secretary Robert Gibbs reinforced that message, but it contradicts the president's advisers' message. What gives? — Confused Constituent in California

Dear Confused: The question is not what gives; it's WHO gives. President Obama either had no legitimate plan prior to his election or has lost control of his people. Either way, it reflects poorly on the president. The truth is that we cannot afford the president's liberal agenda unless spending is reduced dramatically or taxes for all citizens are increased dramatically. Do the math, or better yet, ask the Chinese. They are lending us the money to pay for this garbage, and they don't care about his sound bite campaign promises.

Dear Mark: Your columns always are spoken like a true conservative. Why don't you wail/rail against the crooks who made the mess in the first place, namely the Bush-Cheney administration and its powerful cronies? Instead of your denigrating the people trying to fix this economic catastrophe, let's hear your solutions, sore loser. — Big Mac in Montana

Dear Big Mac: You're darn right I'm a sore loser. I don't agree with the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda and certainly don't believe their unproven economic solutions. Obama may have inherited a crisis, but his policies quickly turned the economy into a catastrophe. As a conservative, I was deeply disappointed by the increase in government spending under President George W. Bush, but I will not completely lay the blame for this economic mess at W's feet. The blame can be spread from prior administrations to current politicians to the powerful on Wall Street.

As for my solutions, try these free market ideas: 1) Rescind the stimulus package, and put money directly into the hands of millions of people by having a two-month tax holiday — no income tax or payroll tax withheld from paychecks. 2) Cut corporate taxes so that U.S. companies can compete better on the world stage, as well as rehire displaced employees. 3) Eliminate the capital gains tax, which penalizes success and discourages long-term expansion. The future would be more predictable and allow businesses of all sizes to make better strategic decisions. 4) Audit every single federal program, agency and department in order to uncover fraud, waste and abuse. If average citizens have to tighten their belts, then every fat cat in Washington better do the same. 5) Term limits for all politicians; flush them like a toilet.

Dear Mark: I was thrilled by the recent Associated Press story concerning the four scorned Wisconsin women who sought revenge on their married lover by gluing his private man parts to his stomach. Any other practical applications? — Glue Girls Glue in Great Falls

Dear Glue: I think this is a great idea for the congressional town hall meetings. The problem, though, is you will have a hard time finding any "private man parts" to glue on many of these congressmen. Maybe the protesters could glue the politicians' mouths shut so at least they would listen to us for a change.

Dear Mark is a public platform for your entertainment and enlightenment. Please e-mail your questions or comments to [email protected]. To find out more about Mark Levy, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.