>In the mean time we can use our credit cards

True words. The time is mean. One of the better Freudian slips this year.

>...to purchase those 70” tv’s and the other goodies that make us happy. That will keep the Chinese economy going for a few more years. Then one day all these fine toys will have to be paid for and the fun begins. :)

At least you get the chinese junk peddled by local retailers. Here, the Chinese are taking over the low-end retail. We even have a veritable Chinatown near the end of the main street. But some of them are closing, because of low profits, and others are opening somewhat fancier shops. I almost bought a straw hat, but didn't, for two reasons: they had only size 58 and I wear 61 (that's in cm of circumference), and the hat I tried was labeled as being made of 100% pure... paper.