The things that people have been warning are going to happen for years are finally coming to pass. Everyone always thinks things will change gradually, but they don't. We hear warnings about something bad coming down the pipe and just figure it isn't here yet, we'll see it coming as it gets closer, and we'll have time to get ready when the problem is really in sight. But that's not the way it works. We are out of gas. Let's just hope the extent of the problem is mostly economic, and we don't get any big shooting wars out of this.

The good news for the US is that we are usually pretty good about facing a problem once it is really here and are pretty adaptable when we have to be. We might lose a few compaines and a lot of jobs in affected industries, but if you keep your eyes open and are adaptable, there are going to be a lot of opportunities in new industries. Get ready to jump, people.