But we will survive. Always have, always will.

 

Isn't that what they said during the Great Depression in the 1920s?

Let’s just hope capitalism can manage to teeter on for another 100 years or so, then!

Pensions and other state benefits will exist for as long as Britain remains a ‘democracy’ and the electorate decide they’re what it wants.

 

one good thing about in 40 years time, psl wont be here

 

People will adapt. I don't think there will be an end to consumerism, but I think it will be different. Technology will get around it. The sort of technology that allows us to get the same end result with much less input in the way of resources.

Ultimately though, does the population have to keep growing? Is that the goal for humanity - and to own more and more stuff?

That's one reason we're kicking the can down the road: this constant expansion of everything. Of course, consumerism and capitalism would, or could, be perfectly sustainable without that, but it's the combination of the two that isn't.

The best thing about this 'machine' is the fact that it wasn't designed as such. But when people talk about replacing it, they have to think about doing just that, and for everyone. So the longer this one stays put, the better!

 

That's exactly how i feel, and i wish i didn't!

 

Yes there have been doom mongers around longer than even me! It just feels... different this time though. America in debt to the tune of $16 trillion, and just wafty political "deals" to address it. I'd love a crystal ball to see 20 years into the future, because surely things are unsustainable as they are?

 

Or even you perhap's!

Les

 

It looks as though the USA has been even more stupid and incompetent than Labour when it comes to controlling their debt etc. How on earth do they justify those trillions of national debt without the thought that if they continue along those lines,don't they realise that all of a sudden the chickens will come home to roost?

Can't imagine how they can close their minds to the eventual consequences of such a mindless way to run the country's finances. Do these people, and that includes Labour just continue wasting the cash and hope that the eventual problems can be laid on someone else? Do they never consider the well being of their own people and their country?

They want stuffing!

Les

 

what have US politicians been spending it on?

it is not as if they have a world class infrastructure and they have falling living standards for the vast majority of Americans

where has it all gone

 

Look at the expenditure on healthcare in America. Nobody saw the obesity epidemic coming and nobody has the guts, pardon the pun, to address it.

 

and yet they spend more and treat less of the population than any comparable developed nation

as I posted in a previous thread, life expectancy for some parts of the american population are actually going down

americans are dying earlier than their parents -- amazing when you think about it

it looks to me like a small section of Americans have essentially mortgaged the countries economy to the Chinese

 

I was surprised to read the other day that obesity levels in the US are actually falling

 

Yes the life expectancy for humans has peaked, no doubt about it.

And while nobody can decide how to make people responsible for what they put in their mouths, it will continue to decline. What a sorry species we are.

 

This is the childhood obesity level that's being heralded as a triumph in America? Whereas actually it's probably just a temporary blip because of the economic downturn restricting expenditure on food. I see nothing long-term to suggest that the problem isn't going to keep getting worse.

 

There's been a lot of praise for Michelle Obama's work in this area, even from her natural detractors.

You may be right of course, although I'd suggest it's actually more expensive to eat healthily.

 

More expensive, and a lot more hassle. Why stand over an oven when you can just open a packet of biscuits?

 

this chimes with my overall analysis of so many of the worlds problems

"the line of least resistance"

the easy way is the best way is the modern mantra

 

Yup, you wi never win the jackpot and Im prepared to bet big on that

 

Good question, don't know enough about the US to comment. Although the Gulf Wars won't have come cheap...

As I just said, stupid politicians outspending what they can afford. Socialists running out of other people's money, that kind of thing.

Agreed but this is a socialism idea that the state provides that's the fault with that statement