I Used To Smoke Cigars But Now Suck Polo Mints

[tabs]

This is a long held belief of mine. America was at its zenith in the early 1960's. America was on top of the world an economic power house. With the prosperity even Blue Collar factory workers became middle class. This was a first in history. Never had so many lived so well.

Well nearly 50 years on America faces challenges in the world. No longer is America the only kid on the block. American Labor is facing competition from over seas who will work cheaper and longer. With this decline in econmic fortune the Middle Class life style is finally being forced to face the facts that they can no longer live a life of plenty.

With the decline in the value of the dollar Americans are getting a taste of what it is like to live in other countries that have had monetary problems. Mexico, Argentina and Brazil come to mind. The money virtually becomes worthless. This turn of events has been delayed by the fact that the dollar acts as the Reserve Currency for the world. Everything is traded in dollars, so everybody has to keep a supply of the pesky things on hand. Thus propping up the value and allowing the shenanigans that the keepers of the dollar printing press see fit to exercise.

However to keep the cash flowing the Fed has had to lower interest rates against a ballooning Federal Deficit. The push back comes with a devalued dollar. So what does this mean in the long run for Americans. They are now paying record prices for a gallon of gasoline and food prices are going through the roof. Sound like Brazil yet?

As Americans are being squeezed economically they have to start pinching their pennies to make it through the month. No longer is eating out a normal event but is fast becoming a luxury. People when they go to the grocery store are picking out the cheaper or house brands and are sticking to a no frills grocery list. What this will eventually mean is that the diversity of brands and goods will start to diminish. Instead of having 10 brands of canned peas on the shelf there will only be one or two, and those will be offered in fewer sizes. Americans will have to start facing the fact that they have become cut price people in low budget land.

[billwagnon]

I wish I could fly like Superman.

[Randy V]

I'll stick to cigars (I hide the Cubanos in the bottom ):

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by tabs

This is a long held belief of mine. America was at its zenith in the early 1960's. America was on top of the world an economic power house. With the prosperity even Blue Collar factory workers became middle class. This was a first in history. Never had so many lived so well.

Britain abandoned the gold standard in 1931; the USA abandoned it in 1971.................do the math.