I really doubt the "average" American will be able to take the blow caused by some sort of major economic downfall. Setting aside the "meltdown" of 2008, I am thinking there will be real calamity when the ..it hits the fan. I saw on YouTube 100's of folks storming a welfare office in Dallas, and other places to be placed on some sort of housing list. It was pretty close to a riot. That is a tiny, microscopic drop in the bucket compared to real shortages, real rationing, ... stuff my parents went through during the depression and WW2. I did not really see anything close to that during 2008. Actually, my neighborhood stayed the same, folks got their new cars, and it was just news on the TV.

So, time will tell. I really do feel bad for my kids.