In a message dated 99-01-26 10:54:00 EST, you write: << Also isn't consumer debt reaching levels where increasing consumption further will be difficult, at best? Bill >> What will make consumer debt even more dangerous is the bills wending their way through Congress which will end bankruptcy as we know it. More and more people have been declaring bankruptcy which writes off past debt and allows them to engage in new consumption. Once they are unable to write of past debt, they will also be unable to engage in new consumption..... maggie coleman [EMAIL PROTECTED]