[AK_47_7.62x39]

Somehow it never seems to matter that America has grown steadily for hundreds of years.

If you want to call conspicuous consumption based on credit "growth" then go ahead. If not, then the very premise is bogus and American has had very little growth since the 60s and net negative growth since around 1990.

Living high is not "growth" but who am I to sneer at the porsche in the garage of the McMansion. Enjoy it while you can.

[expat_panama]

America has grown steadily for hundreds of years

conspicuous consumption based on credit

Ah, that's what you think of the Louisiana Purchase, the Transcontinental Railroad, and America's world leadership in the twentieth century.  We can agree to disagree.