I could wax lyrically on macro and micro economics but I reckon this is not the platform to do so, because I would probably send people to sleep. But if you want to check out some insghtful views on where it is all going, have a look at:

http://robertreich.blogspot.com/

Bob hits the nail on the head.

Having read all the comments, all I can say is that some are misinformed, and some are perceptive. If some commentators are negative in their opinions, well that is ok. But being positive makes things happen and that is why I have a passion for construction. Like it or lump it we live in a capatlist society here and in our home countries. The next few years will be hard especially for the X and Y generations because they have not lived through a recession. But what is happening globally, even with my own positive outlook, will cause a fundamental change in all or lives. If I can give any advice on this forum, it is simple - do not get into debt and do your best to get out of debt. Rip up your credit cards, sell your shares, and save. At the moment gold bars are really the only sure thing