Good God, what would happen if the economy actually shrank?

[native]

From Rich Karlgaard, Forbes:

"...During the Great Recession and its aftermath, the U.S. economy has performed slightly better than flat. ... In 2008, 2009 and (projected) 2010, the U.S. GDP was (and is), $14.3 trillion, $14.2 trillion and $14.6 trillion.

Yes, it’s hard to believe the economy was flattish – factually, ever-so-slightly growing – over the worst patch in our lifetimes. Why did the economy feel so much worse if it was merely flat? Good God, what would happen if the economy actually shrank over several years?

Answer: Americans are accustomed to growth. And with a growing population, we need growth.

Since World War II, the American economy has averaged 3.3% growth per year. ... '

http://blogs.forbes.com/richkarlgaard/2 ... neleditors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cap'n Cat]

It's a new world, native, and Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living because the one we have now is unsustainable.


Cap'n Cat's theory: We have satified 99% of our post-WWII needs and anything else is just luxury and superfluousness. Virtually everyone has all the goods and gadgets forced on us by the corporations for the last 40 years. The only people left are minorities and the Conk-dominated oligarchy won't get their foot off of their necks. I look forward to and will welcome a European style of frugality where the simpler things in life are much more important. Freedom can survive in that environment, so Conks needs not go to the gun chests yet.

America has exported trash for the last thirty years and the chickens are coming home to roost. It's time to pare down.

[YoUDeeMan]

It's a new world, native, and Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living because the one we have now is unsustainable.


Cap'n Cat's theory: We have satified 99% of our post-WWII needs and anything else is just luxury and superfluousness. Virtually everyone has all the goods and gadgets forced on us by the corporations for the last 40 years. The only people left are minorities and the Conk-dominated oligarchy won't get their foot off of their necks. I look forward to and will welcome a European style of frugality where the simpler things in life are much more important. Freedom can survive in that environment, so Conks needs not go to the gun chests yet.

America has exported trash for the last thirty years and the chickens are coming home to roost. It's time to pare down.

So Cappy, you've lived your life of excess partying and traveling and NOW you are telling everyone they need to cut back?

I take it you won't be going to any more road trips to beer drinking adventures and football venues?

[Cap'n Cat]

It's a new world, native, and Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living because the one we have now is unsustainable.


Cap'n Cat's theory: We have satified 99% of our post-WWII needs and anything else is just luxury and superfluousness. Virtually everyone has all the goods and gadgets forced on us by the corporations for the last 40 years. The only people left are minorities and the Conk-dominated oligarchy won't get their foot off of their necks. I look forward to and will welcome a European style of frugality where the simpler things in life are much more important. Freedom can survive in that environment, so Conks needs not go to the gun chests yet.

America has exported trash for the last thirty years and the chickens are coming home to roost. It's time to pare down.

So Cappy, you've lived your life of excess partying and traveling and NOW you are telling everyone they need to cut back?

I take it you won't be going to any more road trips to beer drinking adventures and football venues?

If you think I'm talking about that, you are no better than native. Those trips and adventures ARE the simpler things in life. I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Less opulence, more practicality.

[grizzaholic]

So Cappy, you've lived your life of excess partying and traveling and NOW you are telling everyone they need to cut back?

I take it you won't be going to any more road trips to beer drinking adventures and football venues?

If you think I'm talking about that, you are no better than native. Those trips and adventures ARE the simpler things in life. I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Less opulence, more practicality.

Corvette's actually get pretty good gas mileage...as good or better than your pick up.

[Cap'n Cat]

If you think I'm talking about that, you are no better than native. Those trips and adventures ARE the simpler things in life. I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Less opulence, more practicality.

Corvette's actually get pretty good gas mileage...as good or better than your pick up.

Um, ga, my pickup has MULTIPLE practial uses, a Corvette does not. Please think before posting.

[grizzaholic]

Corvette's actually get pretty good gas mileage...as good or better than your pick up.

Um, ga, my pickup has MULTIPLE practial uses, a Corvette does not. Please think before posting.

You don't seem to, so why should I?

[TheDancinMonarch]

I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Like liberal icon Al Gore.

[YoUDeeMan]

So Cappy, you've lived your life of excess partying and traveling and NOW you are telling everyone they need to cut back?

I take it you won't be going to any more road trips to beer drinking adventures and football venues?

If you think I'm talking about that, you are no better than native. Those trips and adventures ARE the simpler things in life. I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Less opulence, more practicality.

C'mon Cappy, if you were to bring your big azz over to ________ (fill in 90% of the world's countries), they'd see an American who is wealthy (relative to them)...and one who spends a lot of time traveling around wasting resources...especially food and liquid refreshments.

Funny, you complain about 1-2% of the population of this country spending excessively, yet to the rest of the world YOU are an example of an even bigger chunk (no pun intended) of people that need to curb their "simpler things" excesses. But, hey, it is far too hard for you to give up those comforts. Let someone else make those sacrifices.

Right now there is some kid in Somlia wishing he were eating food, drinking beer, watching a football game, and posing on the internet...and he is cursing your lifestyle.

[Cap'n Cat]

If you think I'm talking about that, you are no better than native. Those trips and adventures ARE the simpler things in life. I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Less opulence, more practicality.

C'mon Cappy, if you were to bring your big azz over to ________ (fill in 90% of the world's countries), they'd see an American who is wealthy (relative to them)...and one who spends a lot of time traveling around wasting resources...especially food and liquid refreshments.

Funny, you complain about 1-2% of the population of this country spending excessively, yet to the rest of the world YOU are an example of an even bigger chunk (no pun intended) of people that need to curb their "simpler things" excesses. But, hey, it is far too hard for you to give up those comforts. Let someone else make those sacrifices.

Right now there is some kid in Somlia wishing he were eating food, drinking beer, watching a football game, and posing on the internet...and he is cursing your lifestyle.

it ain't just the rich, Clucky, it's everyone. We all gotta cut back. Sorry to offend the richies here.

[grizzaholic]

C'mon Cappy, if you were to bring your big azz over to ________ (fill in 90% of the world's countries), they'd see an American who is wealthy (relative to them)...and one who spends a lot of time traveling around wasting resources...especially food and liquid refreshments.

Funny, you complain about 1-2% of the population of this country spending excessively, yet to the rest of the world YOU are an example of an even bigger chunk (no pun intended) of people that need to curb their "simpler things" excesses. But, hey, it is far too hard for you to give up those comforts. Let someone else make those sacrifices.

Right now there is some kid in Somlia wishing he were eating food, drinking beer, watching a football game, and posing on the internet...and he is cursing your lifestyle.

it ain't just the rich, Clucky, it's everyone. We all gotta cut back. Sorry to offend the richies here.

Nice dodge....

[Cap'n Cat]

it ain't just the rich, Clucky, it's everyone. We all gotta cut back. Sorry to offend the richies here.

Nice dodge....

Nice wolf.

[grizzaholic]

Nice dodge....

Nice wolf.

Been learning and following JJ around huh? Good for you. He has taught you well.

[Cap'n Cat]

I'd walk that wolf down the main street of your town and let him feed on chickens and calves just for the fun of it.

[YoUDeeMan]

C'mon Cappy, if you were to bring your big azz over to ________ (fill in 90% of the world's countries), they'd see an American who is wealthy (relative to them)...and one who spends a lot of time traveling around wasting resources...especially food and liquid refreshments.

Funny, you complain about 1-2% of the population of this country spending excessively, yet to the rest of the world YOU are an example of an even bigger chunk (no pun intended) of people that need to curb their "simpler things" excesses. But, hey, it is far too hard for you to give up those comforts. Let someone else make those sacrifices.

Right now there is some kid in Somlia wishing he were eating food, drinking beer, watching a football game, and posing on the internet...and he is cursing your lifestyle.

it ain't just the rich, Clucky, it's everyone. We all gotta cut back. Sorry to offend the richies here.

I'm not cutting back. I have an obligation to keep stimulating the economy. Have to keep the villagers busy to keep them from storming the castle.

[native]

Historically robust economic growth and constantly increasing prosperity would be sustainable for another hundred years if we could politically get rid of the Dem "regressives" and stop government subsidization of their bullsh!t.

[mainejeff]

It's a new world, native, and Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living because the one we have now is unsustainable.

Funny how this outlook coincides with the Baby Boomer transition into old age and diapers........in other words, frig the rest of us........the Baby Boomers got what they wanted out of life!

[Col Hogan]

It's a new world, native, and Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living because the one we have now is unsustainable.

Funny how this outlook coincides with the Baby Boomer transition into old age and diapers........in other words, frig the rest of us........the Baby Boomers got what they wanted out of life!

Well, jeff, this is one baby boomer who disagrees with Cap because I want my kids to have more...and believe there is a way to do it without having to have a lower standard of living...

Problem is, people on both sides of the political spectrum are locked in this death struggle for control...instead of each giving some because both sides have some good ideas...

[native]

That's not for you or ANYONE in the government to say, Cap.
So Cappy, you've lived your life of excess partying and traveling and NOW you are telling everyone they need to cut back?

I take it you won't be going to any more road trips to beer drinking adventures and football venues?

If you think I'm talking about that, you are no better than native. Those trips and adventures ARE the simpler things in life. I'm talking about million dollar houses and Corvettes and SUV's and wasting gas and electricity and grubbing for money at every turn, all the while shitting on everyone else.

Less opulence, more practicality.

Not for you to say about anyone else except yourself, Cap.

[native]

Funny how this outlook coincides with the Baby Boomer transition into old age and diapers........in other words, frig the rest of us........the Baby Boomers got what they wanted out of life!

Well, jeff, this is one baby boomer who disagrees with Cap because I want my kids to have more...and believe there is a way to do it without having to have a lower standard of living...

[native]

It's a new world, native, and Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living because the one we have now is unsustainable.

Funny how this outlook coincides with the Baby Boomer transition into old age and diapers........in other words, frig the rest of us........the Baby Boomers got what they wanted out of life!

[kalm]

We are in debt, over-built, and too much of our economy over the past decade has been based in financial services. The author's solution is real nice, but where is the demand going to come from?

[YoUDeeMan]

We are in debt, over-built, and too much of our economy over the past decade has been based in financial services. The author's solution is real nice, but where is the demand going to come from?

I'm getting a lot more for my money these days!

I just got my mother's concrete done at a price that was three thousand dollars less than they quoted two years ago! And, better quality, too! 5 inches deep (versus 4), stone base, wired, many breaks...and he threw in repairing her celler door exit for free after he made the quote and we requested that it be done!

I'm gettting several quotes on her windows...and after I've said it was too much for the labor part, the price magically dropped for two of the bidders. Pella contractor is begging for work.

The chimney sweep gave me the off season price and threw in the camera inspection for free despite it being their "busy season". He needed my business.

LOTS of contractors need work. It is a great time to get some good deals from quality contractors.

[Cap'n Cat]

Funny how this outlook coincides with the Baby Boomer transition into old age and diapers........in other words, frig the rest of us........the Baby Boomers got what they wanted out of life!

Well, jeff, this is one baby boomer who disagrees with Cap because I want my kids to have more...and believe there is a way to do it without having to have a lower standard of living...

Problem is, people on both sides of the political spectrum are locked in this death struggle for control...instead of each giving some because both sides have some good ideas...

Agreed. The rest of you can fvck off.

[kalm]

We are in debt, over-built, and too much of our economy over the past decade has been based in financial services. The author's solution is real nice, but where is the demand going to come from?

I'm getting a lot more for my money these days!

I just got my mother's concrete done at a price that was three thousand dollars less than they quoted two years ago! And, better quality, too! 5 inches deep (versus 4), stone base, wired, many breaks...and he threw in repairing her celler door exit for free after he made the quote and we requested that it be done!

I'm gettting several quotes on her windows...and after I've said it was too much for the labor part, the price magically dropped for two of the bidders. Pella contractor is begging for work.

The chimney sweep gave me the off season price and threw in the camera inspection for free despite it being their "busy season". He needed my business.

LOTS of contractors need work. It is a great time to get some good deals from quality contractors.

Yes, it's a great time to get deals for those who have the money. For most of those trying to sell their services and products...not so much.