[craigimass]

I agree with Trop on the consumerism thing.....was way out of hand.

The problem with consumerism is that we see no downside....yes, there is a downside to the environment and those other people the world over whose resources we are swindling...and to the savers (myself among them) who cannot get a decent return on our money when money is cheap, but we don't SEE it in our daily lives. Eat, drink and be merry is the word.

As of right now, saving and government spending have taken the place of the consumerism in terms of making up some of the GNP. No doubt some of that government spending is very wasteful, but then again so is consumerism. It's hard to make the case for people who cannot really afford it to buy 5,000 sq ft houses AND a second house! So private sector spending is every bit as wasteful...maybe more.

I just took a ride yesterday though central Ma. and RI. - and I am amazed at the vast number of projects - Road building, bridge building and even some parks and other projects.......many of them (or at least the continuation of them) made possible by the stimulus package. Also, in both states, the Stim package has halted the firing of MANY teachers and police/fire/ems crews. As bad as things are, it is at least pleasing to me to see that when we are done with this mess, we will have some great improvements in infrastructure and perhaps a more educated populace....which then benefits the economy.

Americans have a short memory. Give them more money and easy consumerism and they will forget this even happened....in a year or two. Maybe less.

Cam, good idea.....too bad that states like Alabama, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, New York and MANY others are going broke too! In fact, it appears that the states with budget gaps this year hold about 3/4 or more of the US Population.

WV is doing OK, though.

China already owns a vast portion of the US - the other part is owned by folks in the Middle East, although Russia is buying up stuff also. Unbridled capitalism with no national interest is grand. Anyone in the world can own anything....we might as well remove the borders if that is the policy!

Oh, yeah, Japan and Europe also own vast chunks....really vast. Look at all the new car factories - Honda, Subaru, Hyndai, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, etc.