tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641429817507217988.post5443564746767623504..comments2008-06-13T18:10:13.596-04:00Hank Williamsnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641429817507217988.post-30577032924560139062008-06-13T18:10:13.596-04:002008-06-13T18:10:13.596-04:00Don’t confuse me with the facts <BR/>The DOC numbers can be very misleading in the context of separating core needs like food, clothing, and shelter from the other stuff/fluff. When I and most of your readers buy clothing, how much of our spend is discretionary vs. necessary? When we buy shelter, how much of the spend is on creature comforts vs. necessary protection from the elements? Even our food spend is inflated. Going down the DOC list from Durable goods, Nondurable goods, to Services (including Medical care) we live in a bloated cushy society. Like it or not, the majority of our labor is expended on comfort.<BR/><BR/>I realize and agree that the comfort isn’t uniformly distributed, and the recent trends that threaten to eliminate the middle class are ominous. I also agree that to change we must first be keenly aware of our current state and trajectory. I strongly believe that if we are to fix these problems in the near-term we will have to recognize that we are a fat society and with that understanding be willing to shed some weight. I’ll go first and shed 8500lbs by getting rid of my 11mpg Ford Excursion. Your turn.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310258572710306291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8641429817507217988.post-91136678604764905312008-06-13T15:48:13.557-04:002008-06-13T15:48:13.557-04:00It's actually surprising that Food + Shelter + Clothing + Energy + Medical Care = only 60% of spending.<BR/><BR/>So people could be saving 10% of their net income quite easily.travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06472292158044630584noreply@blogger.com