masayako – the chief accountant for our country has acknowledged that we have $40 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities – other analysts put the number at $70 trillion – this is primarily the promises we have made to the boomers (Soc Sec, Medicaire, prescrip drugs)
debt-to-income ratios are at historic levels (bad) in all segments of our society (individuals and gov) – ie, the debt load on individuals and gov is heavier than it has ever been
central banks around the world are signalling their lack of interest in the US dollar
oil exporting countries are moving away from selling oil in US dollars
outsourcing of US jobs to other countries has been ongoing for several years now and still continues
inre investments not being counted as savings: the average 401K has $50K in it and about 33% of all 401Ks have less than $35K – ie, there isn’t a great deal of ‘hidden’ savings in retirement plans
