US Americans

Sometimes I may be considered unpatriotic for the contempt I have for the average US American (pun intended), but honestly how on earth will we survive the next century with people like this?



Have you ever seen Jay Leno do his man on the street gig? I find it staggering when he asks someone "do you know what the Gettysburg address is? They answer "well I don't know the exact address but..."

If I gave a globe to most of my coworkers they couldn't find Iraq or Afghanistan. I know they cannot name the three branches of government or have any idea about how money works. They might have a 401k, but they don't have a clue how to direct it. They just assume that everything will go up "eventually." I make a joke of the fact that many of them tell me that their retirment plan is to win the lottery. Now that is sound financial planning.

I see them drive into work in their "beaters" they bought at the local "blood shop." These are the "buy here pay here" dealers. Nothing more than loan sharks disguised as car dealers. Once they hook them, they will either have the fish at 32% interest or repossess their car when they are two payments late.

On every corner in every neighborhood there are payday loans. Another legalized loan shark operation that once they have you, most likely you will pay and pay and pay. We have so many different usury or predatory loan scams that it is no wonder poor people are forever broke.

Now when the real pros get involved then you have the Credit Card scam. "Don't leave home without it." Buying something with Master Card is "Priceless." Citibank and Bank of America will continue to extend your limit until they know you are hopelessly hooked just like "The Pusher Man." Hey, just look at how much fun you can have with a visa card.



So choose your drug and step right up. The casino never closes. We have it all. Vacations, cars, clothes and free cash advances. You can have anything your heart desires, but it comes with a price. It is not as they say "Priceless."

We are a dumbed down nation that doesn't know how to manage money. We lived beyond our means as if that was the normal way of life. We have tapped our home equity to the point of losing our homes. We are trapped in debt and we are caught in the whirlpool of debt deflation. Banks will loan, but only to those who don't need it. People who don't need it, won't borrow. Ergo the "Zombie Bank" label. Oh sure they are still in business and I can assure you the execs will vote themselves plenty of bonuses with all the fees they attach to your overdrawn accounts, but they are for all intents and purposes dead.



The powers that be have seen to it that the masses remained divided and confused. Those who learn the game for what it is are ostricized and ridiculed as doomsayers. Don't wake me up as I am living the American Dream.