I think most would agree that the private sector operates far more efficiently then the public sector. This is perfectly illustrated by those institutions who received public funds during the first phase of winding down the American empire. The weakest and those unsuspecting companies like GM and Chrysler who thanks to the taxpayers have been able to get back on their feet (for now) to deal with the new reality of North American consumption … that is ... a shrinking level of excess consumption caused by living beyond ones means and mortgaging ones future for instant gratification. We also see the reports which I do believe to be accurate that private sector companies have hunkered down and improved their cash position on their balance sheets. This as much as anything is a sign of the efficiency that goes with private sector entrepreneurship and is in stark contrast to public bureaucracies who have been bloating themselves much like the Monty Python “fat guy” with a voracious appetite who finally explodes when asked to eat a “wafer thin” mint. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJZPzQESq_0 That skit pretty much exemplifies what will eventually happen to the US economy as the last wafer thin mint is consumed, or for that matter is passed to be consumed. The most laughable part of the media’s attempt to obfuscate reality is discussions around those private sector cash filled balance sheets. They ponder why those dollars are not being used to produce growth through the hiring of staff and ramping up of inventory. WHY??? The reason the private sector has that cash is as the crisis began they took swift action to rationalize staff and adjust employment for a reduced level of demand. Indeed the weekly jobless numbers continue to point to a sector diligently adjusting to continued shrinking demand as the middle class continues to be squeezed through inflationary pressures, reduced employment opportunities, and the shrinking value of their largest asset: ... yes, that’s right the continued slide in housing prices as well as the sell off of devalued investment properties lost through having more dent than wealth. You may be able to fool the general population, but you are not going to fool the productive and entrepreneurial private business sector. Take heed of what the smartest minds of society are doing … hoarding cash … be it fiat dollars or precious metals … when the next liquidity crunch comes … its best not to be over extended and even better to have the ability to buy after the fall out. Reagan once said “government is the problem” and whether or not it is from out of control spending or from ineffective or unenforced regulations its impact on citizens can only be understood by logical thinking. The former will eventually bankrupt its citizens … medicare and social security will be things of the past in the near future. The latter allowed corrupt forces to benefit from government ineptness, or corruption, to ensure the greatest wealth shift in the history of man occurs. Sadly, I recall when growing up the concerns expressed about the “boob tube” … the fear the next generation would cease to think for themselves has been exacerbated by all the new toys/video games etc. further entertaining rather than educating our lost generation. Who do you trust?