*shudders readin' mr. David's post*

matey, it grieves me to see one 'o the upbeat voices on this vessel to speak in such dire terms...but aye, so be it. if ye thinks that this be the start of a real collapse, would it not be wise then to stop spending entirely, allow unprecedented fiscal suffering descend upon the nation, and then begin anew?

granted, that means every member 'o USPOL is going to see their hopes whither and fade...yet perhaps that might bring a change we need for a rebirth, many generations down the road.

i agree with what the mighty HighForrester posited, that a "marshall plan" be needed fer this battle, yet fer various reasons, i don't believe we have the mettle to undergo such a transformation. we're too fat...too lazy...and too bloody selfish (i'd be willin' to bet that the lads'n lasses here on USPOL also hold the vast majority 'o populace's intelligence in contempt, so you could also add too stupid, to the mix).

aye?

-MeadHallPirate

ps - i may take shore leave from USPOL fer a few weeks after today. imma contemplatin' expandin' me business (whooO! i qualified fer a commercial loan this past friday!!!!). i need to be in a positive frame 'o mind this january, and this forum, whilst it informs me, also makes me sad.