I believe the wheels are about to fall off the economy and things will get very bad. The so-called "wealth" of this nation is little more than a facade based on illusion. Once the currency bubble bursts (and we're starting to see signs of this in the housing market), things will spiral downward from there. America is not ready for this as we are no longer self-sufficient, and the moral/cultural climate in this country is probably as low as it's ever been here. The sheeple will look to a strongman to rescue them. Say goodbye to the Republic.
Personally, I've been taking steps to prepare but still have a long ways to go. I've been moving out of paper (stocks and bonds) and into things (gold and commodities). Then of course, there are the more basic preparations such as water, food, and weapons.
Also, I found a really good resource about 6 months ago for staying on the cutting edge of this economic stuff. I've been listening to Jim Puplava over at financialsense.com. Every weekend, they have a radio show over there at http://www.netcastdaily.com/fsnewshour.htm. I find the third hour to be the most informative.
Thanks for posting. I fully expected to be attacked as a moron when I posted this article, and the other article snippets. I could post 500 more and it would not make any difference to the rose-colored-glasses economic Pollyannas.
They will believe the upbeat TV talking heads until they personally cannot get money out of their ATMs, or use their credit cards at the gas station. Only then will they get it.
And as you said, at that point they will demand a strongman from the federal govt "Do something!" to simply "Fix the economy!" And of course, "Do it right now!"
It's gonna be ugly beyond belief.