What if the bottom 80% of American income-earners...

[PauletteGoddard]

curtailed their consumption by 10% and used the savings either for delayed/planned consumption or to pay down debt?

[JanH]

I really do wish that schools would teach use/consumption/savings/debt- -whatever to counteract the advertisements out there. I know that we need to keep the economy going, but I am learning that planning the spending is healthier on families.

[PrincessPerky]

then the pres would put out a warning about the economy going to you know where in a handbasket..........

I remember all those reports that 'americans are saving not spending' yeah like that is such a bad thing?

[PauletteGoddard]

then the pres would put out a warning about the economy going to you know where in a handbasket

But we've heard over the past six years addresses to "go shopping." And yet the savings rate is negative, the Federal Reserve Board G.19 bulletin shows outstanding consumer credit debt at an all-time high, car loans have broken past five-year terms. The wrong people are going shopping, or they're doing too much of it, but if they're doing too much of it, then why is the prez telling us to go shopping?

[LuxLiving]

Worker bees, worker bees - mindless worker bees! I feel all Orwellian at the moment!