[Ryzorian]

America was taken off the Gold standard by FDR and the Silver Standard by Nixon. But the bad loan situation is what started the current mess. It really hasn't pulled out of it's tailspin either, the 'recovery" is just a thin shell, we will have to see what happens through this next year. Government getting involved though, will just extend the problem.

The US isn't a true Democracy by the way, It's a Republic. Leastways, that's how it was orginally designed. True Democracy is basically mob rule, kinda Like how France ended up with Napolean.

I admit that American tourists can be glareingly stupid and ignorant. They are generally really whiny here at home too....sigh.

Samurai007...that certain senator also utilzed Acorn to push sub prime loans through those same banks.