[HGSW0904]

I would imagine that there are a lot of folks you see patronizing those institutions who are putting it on their credit cards. It's the American way, at least nowadays it's the American way.....ignore reality, chaaaarge it! Oh, I think you just hit the nail on the head. I live north of Dallas in this very fake, pretentious town where keeping up with Joneses goes to a whole new level. (We're actually preparing to move out to what sounds like your neck of the woods, middle Tennessee.) People with 150k incomes living in million dollar homes. It's all credit-driven, and when it all finally falls, it's going to crash. Hard. The recession hasn't hit as hard here, yet, as it seems to have done in your area. I hate to hear about small businesses shuttering. It's a shame, and I think it's going to just keep on going...

[for-q-clinton]

I used to live in North Texas too and that’s my opinion of that area as well...it’s all keep up with the Jones’s. I moved to Williamsburg VA and am glad I did. I love my neighborhood and it’s definitely not keep up with the Jones’s.

[Thermalseeker]

I hate to hear about small businesses shuttering. It's a shame, and I think it's going to just keep on going...

I can't see any reason why we would see any economic recovery anytime soon.

The really sad part about the BBQ place I spoke of is it's a husband/wife operation. After about 10 years of renting a location that was pretty much a dump they had recently built a new building in a new location. They really did it up nice. They spent a lot of time and money decorating the place with old farm implements, signs and other memorabilia. They poured everything they had into it. These are two very hard working people. Many times I've driven past at 4:00AM and they were already there working. Other times I've driven past at or after midnight and they were there working. Now, it appears everything is lost, all so Obamalamadingdong can "spread the wealth". Breaks my heart.