Everywhere, anyone that cares is talking about the origins of the economic situation. One of the big contenders for the top spot is the sub-prime mortgage problem. At least if anyone is talking about it, they feel inclined to bring up that can of worms. I thought it was considered a given that the real underlying problem, no matter what part of the economy we are talking about, is greed. The whole atmosphere in this country was that our wealth was growing astronomically, and any worthwhile enterprise just had to include a plan for getting in on the action.

During the Enron debacle I also thought it was common knowledge that the company was not an anomaly, but they just got caught. It seems the pervading concept is that it is ok unless you get caught. Acquiring wealth is ok, is in fact the most commendable goal in our society, and the yardstick used to judge the merit of the means was rate. In other words, people are judged by how much money they have, and how fast they acquired it.

I would venture to say that this hasn't changed. Americans are greedy. We love our stuff, and will stop at nothing to surround ourselves with it. Those that 'make it' are able to surround themselves with stuff that makes money for them with little or no effort on their part. It is the definition of a successful American.