It is hard for the average individual even after almost a full lifetime as in my case to make meaningful conclusions in these areas. Although there is little doubt in my mind that the governments at all levels in north america are assuming more power and control in almost all areas of the economy.

Actually there presense is growing very fast in response to the almost continious bush fires throughout the economy. Historically when a vaccum was formed it was always generally naturally filled in. There may be far too much interference presently to follow historic patterns. The efforts and money instead are perhaps being spent to prop up unsubstainable practices .

The past systems of checks and balances seem to be circumvented more and more as time moves along as well. The governments are either going to be successful or format perhaps the biggest crash or change ever in north american history eventually.

Technically the ideal of a free market type of economy may be history at some point as well. The concept it is already damaged to some extent now in my opinion feels about right.

The average standard of living has improved substantually over the years as well though. Or at least fairly steadily in my lifetime. It is almost like we demand the same thing to contiinue straight ahead. Even if the realities are it is not economically possible.

We are also entered into the period of finding out if the increased standards of living we have already experienced have been paid for up to now. The best face I can put on that is they may have been by the loss of our industrial base as it once was. Yet that may only have been a partial payment.

If we have experienced horrific industrial losses just to enable this it is almost criminal or the most severe short sighted outlook by people deemed responsible by the electorate. Whatever happened to common sense.

We canadians for example are reciently criticised by the united nations for alowing poverty to exist in so wealthy a country. Like most north americans I row my own boat with very little feeling of responsibility towards others outside our family. If nothing else this gets a class system started or reinforced. The propaganda has enabled this.

Yet when visiting larger canadian cities seeing people living in the streets and children with so litttle oportunity is somewhat distressing. I am only too well aware that my generation absorbed a large percentage of the wealth. We also seemingly allowed the economic destruction to occur. Why we did not demand more from our elected representatives was a failing of signifigant proportions by us as well. Instead there was encouragement to get as much as you wanted by the individual.