It's been said that a sign of maturity is the ability to defer self-gratification. I think American's personal debt, caused by our consumer culture, combined with our national debt, which is greatly financed by China, are examples of our collective inability to defer pleasure. China thinks in the very long term, and even though they have many challenges, it's hard not to think of them as increasing their global stature in the coming decades. Looking ahead, I'm not bullish on the prospect that future generations of Americans will see increasing standards of living. Again, I hate to be a party pooper.

Peter "The Pooper" T.