Don't want to hijack the thread - as it's a good one. But have to agree with Sean on this one - and for me John's interjections do get a little tedious.
I always imagine this as a spoken conversation - that we're around a table and we come and go between tables/threads to add our piece, after listening to what others have to say. Sometimes we react vehemently, sometimes we're droll, sometimes we totally misread someone's comments.
John's commentary - as I imagine it in my head - spoken out loud - is generally irrelevant, with regards to the conversation that's taking place. (And yeah, I know there's a whole 'nother thread of therapy about why I'm imagining all these voices in my head.
)
Not disrespecting JR as an individual or a human - let's just say I've got a JR darktrain filter that works very well. I don't use the ignore function. It just makes these conversations seem even more dislocated.
I suppose I'm being an old bugger by thinking that most here would talk/explain themselves in the online form, much like they would in the real life form - and so I'm naturally confused by many of JR's comments.
Back on topic.
How is the bailout failure affecting you?
Some interesting thoughts here, particularly with the long term view - and asking the valid question - how will it directly affect little old me.
I've been cutting back on some expenditure, being a bit more prudent with car use - I'm lucky enough to own my house - and payments are well under control. To be honest most of those cost cutting measures have been as a result of the oil price hikes over the winter. So all before this collapse.
That and the fact that I'm due to become a Dad for the first time in March of next year - it changes how you view the important things.
What you need to know -
Bailout 101
A good summary with linkage there too.