" There have been Booms and Busts since this country was founded and we survived... "
Unless you are substantially older than I am (statistically possible, I guess) *we* haven't *survived* any kind of "Bust"....
*They* (our predecessors) survived because they lived in an agrarian/manual-labor economy, and had some ability to fend for themselves...
It remains to be seen whether "we", having grown up with the newfangled "information economy" and nanny-state government will be able to do the same....
I, personally, have my doubts....
"I, personally, have my doubts..."
You can count on me, Uncle Ike. People that have "old fashioned skills" and live below their means are still out there; we're just few and far between and we keep our mouths shut for the most part.
Come on over for some venison stew, homemade bread and freshly baked apple pie some time. ;)