The biggest emerging new class in America is the "former middle class." - James Kunstler

As long as we maintain Happy Motoring as the normal mode of existence in this country, we are going to see an ever-growing class of very resentful citizens pissed off at being foreclosed from it. - James Kunstler

SHOOT: I think the social upheaval thing is about to knock at the doors of suburbia like the big bad wolf. The wolf will ask one simple question: "How much money do you have in savings?" If none, you'll be set to lose pretty much everything. if some, you'll have your lot postponed, for the time being at least.

clipped from jameshowardkunstler.typepad.com All this leads to two conclusions. One is to accept the fact that the Happy Motoring era is over and to devote our remaining resources to re-localization, walkable communities, and public transit. It obviously requires a very drastic revision of our current collective self-image, of what we aspire to and who we are.  My second conclusion is not so appetizing, namely that the bankruptcy of General Motors may set in motion a chain of events that will accelerate the destructive unwind of the bad credit economy, the damage to our bond values, the loss of faith in our currency, and the authority and legitimacy of our leaders. This last dire outcome might be allayed if, say, President Obama directed his policy efforts to the items in the paragraph above, that is, a reality-based agenda for true change in how we live -- but who can feel confident about that happening these days? Maybe it will take a horrifying chain of events to get Mr. Obama there.