Credit Problems - Not very German

Dare mention the word "Recession" and heads spin, sweat beads on exposed foreheads (in middle of Winter) especially if you tend worry about such "news".
So much has already been written on mortgage meltdowns, improper credit actions, over-leveraged consumers... well, how does that affect us, that little band of immigrants, quietly unassuming, risk-averse "German-Americans"?

Way too much!

Higher fuel prices while dollars tumble in value, bailout costs - which have to come back soon as increased taxes, and the malaise felt a few wee hours after the booze runs out.

Those lucky to have invested in Germany since 2003 have been rewarded for the euro's surge... the blue-chip stox are doing OK, property is as stable as ever, and while angst increases over the upper class / working class income gap, exports and manufacturing adapt as well as ever.

In short: we in the USA could use such troubles!

This election year will see all sorts of pandering bailouts, debt-increasing moves to temporarily fix the gluttony imposed upon the greedy and the needy. For those who were modest in their desires, and subtle in their consumption (perhaps you, dear reader?) - you will be asked to pay for the mistakes of the overly optimistic, nee insanely wild, expectation manipulators.

At this point - it is too late to do much other than write a check, then write some more...

Looking ahead, whatever the reason, let's hope some Germanic tenderness (expressed through balanced budgets and contented mild materialism) enters into the American consciouness.