Something is missing from Christmas this year.
And it's not "Christ," per usual. Somehow things seem different.....
Perhaps, what's missing are the old "animal spirits," or, maybe, its the realization that we are going to have four more years of one party looting of our economy?
Or, maybe, punk jobs and woeful confidence, or it could be that foreigners want some explanations about the dollar. ASAP.
Remember, foreigners don't have to SELL the dollar outright to cause trouble;
ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS QUIT, OR EVEN REDUCE, BUYING THE DOLLAR, AND/OR OUR UNDERLYING BONDS!
To "merely" REDUCE BUYING would be as bad, or worse, than SELLING THE DOLLAR OUTRIGHT!
Think about it, because the major media have totally ignored this little chestnut roosting in the open fire we call the US Economy.
Remember. A Crackhead needs his dope, just to "stay even." Quiting? Fuggidabotit!
Finally, on Chirstmas spending this year:
You don't have to be FAT, STUPID AND MAXED OUT to avoid the malls this year!
I know a boomer couple, empty nesters, with millions in the liquid assets, and pensions out the wazoo, who are buying each other, by agreement, $5 worth of stuff from the "Dollar Store" for Christmas!
Of course, they buy things for their adult kids, and they more or less are able to shop all year....if they want to.
So, Christmas is not as big deal for them, as it was, say, in rural America in the 1900's, when nobody really "shopped" much----at least not until Mr Sears came along.
And, a lot of boomers are finally---DOWNSIZING THEIR STUFF. They now realize that too much is enough!
And that, you can't take it with you!!
I mean: To Florida, Arizona, or the other "golf states!"
So, dump the antiques, the art, and the books! And for God's Sake don't buy more!!
And alas, the clothes and shoes are finally coming out of the closet too!
For a final trip to the Salvation Army! (See the current Weekend FT for Thrift Shopping in NYC.)
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE FAT, STUPID AND MAXED OUT----TO BE "DOING" CHRISTMAS ON THE CHEAP THIS YEAR!
