[pepsionice]

Whether by accident or caused by the Bush administration...the change in the currency rate is having an effect on the US consumer. US products are cheaper than European products, and we are becoming cheaper against Asian products each and every day. US consumers tend to shop around...and find the best deals. I see no crisis for the US side of the house, we will continue to carry our own economy. Its the Asian house, and the European house...that need to worry. They count on US purchases, and if they don't occur...they have problems. Their consumers also shop around....and if they find American cars or products cheaper...they will buy them. They are the ones in the worst position. Any crisis that occurs...is a non-US crisis.

[arete]

Its the Asian house, and the European house...that need to worry

You have it wrong. The US is the weakest link in the chain and when that link breaks, it will the US that gets hurt the most followed by Japan and then Europe although they are already moving as far away from us as possible. America will be kept alive only long enough for the monster economies of Asia to gain solid footing and total control. Our fate is pretty much a done deal at this time. We're toast.

Richard W.