>>>If you're rich, why lend money???
>>
>>The idea is you have the possibility of paying money back eventually, but have an urgent cash flow problem right now. You know, like Parmalat <g>.
>
>If you're really rich, then you have no urgent cash flow problem.

Well you do if you WANT more things than you have money to pay for!
But, more seriously, this likely will have ramifications throughout the world. After all, the U.S. can afford to borrow more, and at higher interest rates, than tons of countries. That means that borrowing IN those countries (not necessarily BY those countries) will necessarily be at higher rates.
It also has the chance, I suppose, of re-firming the possibly shakey ground that Saudi Arabia may be finding itself in now, as they surely have the money to lend. Lenders get privileges not afforded to simple 'friends'.

cheers

>
>Like Parmalat? Well, if the States are like Parmalat, then it's broke. Well, perhaps they are broke indeed.