hey, in the uk they are finally talking about a recession. The government hasn't conceded that yet, they wouldnt dare until the official statistics were available. but the commerce association (or something like that), a major group of buisnesses throughout the country has declared they believe we are in one. People with buisness all around me are declaring the same thing, have been for a little while. all are saying (mainly) they aren't going to give up, but its the worst they've ever experienced, buisness is really really slow. people aren't really spending either. poland, russia and other eastern european countries are on the rise, well according to a friend who does buisness over there, people aren't buying his building services over here (uk) but they are very eager over there, just he is running out of things to send them because he relies on buying 2nd hand things to sell on and no-one is buying the 1st hand stuff (apart from in places like china, where the regulations are different, and he has to stick with eu regs, so can't buy). and for buisness the interest rates are too high. but for me, if they weren't, then the food and other goods inflation would be impossible. things are changing, in a verey major way. out societal attitudes are going to be forced into going back to how they used to be, no more easy commodities and cash. waste not, want not. its very palpable around here how much things are changing.

Celia

Doomsday scenarios are a fixture of the right to enforce some drastic policies that favor the rich. Check out from other sources. There are indeed issues, and the necessity to reform the system, so that those who take risks lose when they screw up, and not just win when they're successful, but there are still some strong bases for the US. Of course, spending billions on wars that won't be won is a pretty poor investment, but there are still tons of wealth to be used for the good of everybody. Same over here in Europe. As for your point 4, sorry, but the control of states over central banks is a thing of the past. This would take politicians with guts, lots of support and understanding from the population to reverse the course it has taken (and which is indeed detrimental to many of us).

Funny how we forgot it for awhile and now looks what's going on.