Comments on Unexpected Metaphor of the Day

Credit is the ultimate double edge sword. On one hand it makes it possible for people to start businesses, invest in new ideas, by houses, etc. One the other hand it makes it possible for people to buy big screen TVs, Cadillacs, and fancy wine.

the trick is to balance interest and availability such that good investment is encouraged while bad investment is minimized. Unfortunately that’s not what we have done.

For the past while consumers in the US have been spending more than they earn racking up massive debt in the process. This has resulted in an over leverage market that is not sustainable in the long run.

Perhaps most unfortunately, industry had grown in response to this increased activity. If we were to cut back to more reasonable levels of purchase that would result in a reduction in demand and a therefore a shrinkage of required labor and outlays. The problem with that is that it would result in layoffs and the termination of small business creating unemployment. The people unemployed would then be unable to make the payments on their debts further exacerbating the financial problems.

Hence a recession only made worse by its delay.