Meltdown coming

[Bureau Chief]

Ok this is for some of you with a better understanding of international politics then I. It seems that maybe, at least to me, that some of the countries of the world are taking advantage of our economic problems to hang us out to dry....and I wonder if there is another shoe waiting to drop.

I see Opec says the like oil at $100 and wont increase production...and may actually cut some. I see several other arabic countries causing some worries now. It seems that they smell blood in the water and are moving to cause the US whatever pain they can by moving money out of the US etc. Not that I dont think we deserve it somewhat for meddleing in places we shouldnt but just wondering whats next. Theres the Citibank bailout that wont happen now etc. I am worried that maybe they are all waiting for an opportune time to smack us good. When our economy is at its weakest...that they could move to take their investments/cash out of the country and cause a meltdown. Anybody else see the dangers in this? or am I just a chicken little?

I know this is should be posted over on openline but the signal to noise ratio is just to high there for meaningful exchange of ideas.

[Hard_reign2004]

[QUOTE=I know this is should be posted over on openline but the signal to noise ratio is just to high there for meaningful exchange of ideas.[/QUOTE]

Is this a good thing or bad thing? I will shoot first....

I have always felt the only thing stopping the world from falling into total chaos is this country. I would like to think man has come a long way in our evolution and people would be happy with what they have but greed and power are still too much for must world leaders.

That being said, I don't believe we deserve to be piled on, but yes when we sway and are tipping other countries are going to jump right on to pull us down. The world is not a nice place. It is as cut throat as they come...

[TAFKA wacowx]

The only trouble is that these countries will also suffer quite a bit in the aftermath of destroying our economy. We are THE main player.

Don't forget, the high crude prices affect not only us, but 'emerging' markets like China and India whom the Middle East folk wouldn't seem to have a grudge with based on your post. Demand is only going to be increasing there even as lower our demand by working for more fuel efficiency and the like. Plus you have to realize that supplier prefer to have higher crude prices so why would they increase production? So far, production IS keeping up with demand, there are no shortages, so why not try to get the best price for your product? If I were a memeber of OPEC, how would it benefit me to increase production and lower the price of my commodity? (NOTE: The most recent run-up was the result of some sabre-rattling as Chavez places 10 battalions of troops on the Columbian border....crude prices are already dropping back down...nearly $2.50 cheaper than yesterday.)



A global recession is not a good thing...no country is an island at this stage of the game.

[wx or not]

Don't forget, the high crude prices affect not only us, but 'emerging' markets like China

I like Chinese
I like Chinese
they come from a long way overseas
yet they're cute and they're cuddly
and they're ready to please

I like Chinese food
the waiters never are rude
think of the many things they've done to impress
there's Maoism, Taoism, yching and chess!