posted on Nov, 14 2008 @ 09:00 PM
I think we are going to have a terrible 2009, economically. Great Depression II? That would happen in 2010, I believe, if major reforms are not
enacted by Congress in 2009.
The problem is debt... consumer debt, national debt, any kind of debt. In 2008, we have heard words like "collapse" and "meltdown" by people in
governments around the world and in the mainstream media. I think right now, there are manipulations in all the markets to keep them afloat and to try
to somehow avoid massive defaults on all the debts. I'm no expert, but that's what I see happening.
On the consumer level, I see people not spending because they are either on the verge of defaulting on their personal finances or they fear that could
be on their personal horizon, so they are holding back. This conserving of money can cause a deflation spiral that could lead to yes, a Depression.
These serious problems seem worldwide.
I also think all of the bailouts have been and are a bad idea. I understand that there was hysteria about a meltdown or a collapse if we didn't bail
out the investment banks and AIG, but I just don't see throwing good money after bad.
If Congress does not pass sweeping, new legislation in 2009 to help consumers (cap loan interest rates at reasonable levels, no banking gimmicks,
credit card reform, etc) then yes, I think we are going to have The Great Depression II beginning in late Jan to early Feb of 2010. Next year will
just be more of the same bad news we've been getting over the last 2 months.