I do have compassion for people. Fuel oil here in Canada is 1100 dollars for 200 galons right now. I think this means some people will be pretty cold this upcoming winter. Housing in general was not constructed well enough for this level of cost.

If things remain much as they are all the downloading of new energy costs will start to impact in the fall or a little later. I just am not certain wages and earnings can compensate for this inflationary period that is just starting to get underway. It always has before. Or at least since the flat inflation curve of the 1950s.

It strikes me the economy cannot be forced as hard as required to do it. As was mentioned the over printing of money may forstall serious problems for awhile. Probably the worse possible policy for the long term though. People are just not ready or willing to adjust in my opinion yet. It is just an indication that things are not too bad yet. Another year of it may change most peoples opinions.

Our primary heating is wood in our house. To replace 200 galons of fuel oil is about two cords of really good hardwood burnt efficiently. It costs about 200.00 per cord delivered cut and split. Plus the joy of throwing it into the basement and stacking.

We use about 4 to 4 1/2 cords per winter in a two thousand square foot house built about thirty years ago. Air conditioning is only required for about six days a year at most this far north so that is not really an item.

We live in an area adjacent to a town. Plus the last time the town tried to annex us the county fought back and killed it. Apparently we are in the counties best property tax generating area. Housing density is high compared to most of the county. That is why the town wanted us.

Nothing would change yet the property taxes would rise to about four thousand a year if the town got it's way. The last fight was so costly and ugly the town will not try again too soon I suspect.

This means cheap property taxes as long as it lasts of about a thousand per year. No additional sewage or water rates as the property is self sufficient. We are perhaps lucky and might not suffer as bad as some are going to.

I have heard rumours reciently that some people are no longer eating quite as well as they have been. Again the item that concerns me remains will the economy once again properly adjust?

The majority of people are not well equiped or really prepared for a heavy hit. I suspect as mentioned they expect a bubble to burst and things restore themselves to what they were more or less. I tend to fall on the other side of not being at all sure that will happen. Of course I hope it will.

That is the compassionate side of me. The reality side thinks we just had it too good for too long. As the real economy declined especially in the last twenty years it was business as usual with very few if any corrections taken by individuals.