Post Gorbachev area, in the west we all got soft after winning the battle of outspending our opponent. All politicians wanted us to live the good life so they could get re-elected.

In the school system we can not fail students any more, and inflation of marks became the norm, easier to bribe angry parents than face the music. Universities no different, giving them good marks shut them up and allow them scholarships, win-win for all. Since students pay tuition, universities owe them the degrees.

Young as well as older people spend 4 bucks a coffee in line-ups at Star-Bucks, then take the elevator 1-2 storey up, and use the open-door buttons. Most of us gained weight. No pain - lots of fun and fat.

Lets buy a house and as expensive as we possibly can, since next year it will be worth even more. Lets buy a cottage, also as expensive as we can. Lets buy now because next year we can't afford it. It reminds me of some graffiti on the subway: "grab a seat while you are young, when you are old you are too slow"

Companies did the same, look good, promote sort term image and collect the bonuses.

What we are seeing now is that regulators etc also have followed the same easy going lifestyle, maybe they all tried in their own way to imitate our good friend Mr. Easy Greenspan

What's the solution, more easy stuff(inflation) or some tough guy(deflation), or are we in this situation because many lawyers exist to make money and not to make sure of right and wrong?