Cockerel1 I am presuming you are in Britain so I think I understand your point of view. We are on the same page. I just point out the view from the other side of the pond because I am from that side ( though am now spending two months in Germany and Poland), to give some balance.

As I see thinks, Europe would be OK if they dumped Greece and maybe one or two other members of the union. Add to that allowance to a few shaky banks to fail to teach the remainder a lesson or two.

With the US I do not see as easy a cure, mainly due to much of the problem being with the politicians (besides the financial institutions) and not limited to a state or category but pervasive throughout. The politicians in the US are covering up the problem instead of tackling it. That is why I label it as a worse state of affairs.

This is a forum for a north American company so it is natural to emphasize the more direct influences that affect this company. With the statistical cover ups and propaganda of 'we are ok' in the US I feel a disproportionate few comments being made about true affairs on this side of the pond. ( What a joke Americans going to Europe telling them how they should manage. A red herring if there was one = phrase meaning distraction).

Stay the course through these trying and hopefully very temporary times. Cheers and good fortune to all. Ed.