The National Mood 2

Today's New York Times offers a story that touches on many of the same points I made in Monday's post. The crux of the story: the extraordinary decline in consumer spending poses a severe threat to our economic well-being. Link here.

The author, David Leonhardt, even considers my proposal... that our new president follow George Bush's lead and encourage people to shot. He adds that it might not do any good this time, because people feel so financially depleted.

He may be right. And yet, it may not be a bad idea for Obama to tell people to go out and shop. It's good to see the notion enter the public debate.

In either case, the article is worthwhile and worth reading.