I agree that things aren't that bad right now and most people are f*cking pussies, but it's the things that you just described that have gotten us into this mess........... big homes (too big for most people, a few weeks of unemployment away from foreclosure) people buying new cars every 3 years and rolling their ballance into the new note each time. eating out every meal, big screen tv's, etc, while they are in debt up to their eyeballs.
Give it time....give it time. You haven't seen shit yet. Wait until the Fed has to raise interest rates to curb inflation. Wait....just wait.
No Country for Old Men... And you believe everything the government tells you, that is good for a laugh. Right because houses(negative equity) are bigger now, yet savings are negative, things are better now right? But don't notice that the North American economy has been hollowed out and shipped overseas. Don't notice that Americans are collectively bankrupt as well as the government. I'm afraid analyzing the economy these days takes a little more than noticing if houses are bigger or if Denny's is full.
"Trade is up" Hahahahahahahahahaa WTF???? Trade is up all right----because the dollar is so worthless even the Iranians want in on it.
insolvent banks should just file for chapter 11 and capital restructuring. incumbent shareholders (owners) get nothing for messing up the business. period.