So I read an article in the Times today about the ”U.S. Debt. Bomb.

“What a good country or a good squirrel should be doing is stashing away nuts for the winter. The United States is not only not saving nuts, it’s eating the ones left over from the last winter.” -WILLIAM H. GROSS

Ok, I’m bummed, how about you? I mean I was so looking forward to going Christmas Shopping on Friday. But that’s not going to happen now because the financial world is going to blow up.

Here’s a chart to depress you further from the New York Times:

Multimedia

Graphic

The Debt Buildup

Okay, this is all very complicated, but of course it is all very simple. Basically, we owe money. Lots. And we borrowed from other places to pay, oh….never mind… Tallulah?

Here’s a great Pre-Code film to help wrap your head around all of this.

The Cheat with Tallulah Bankhead (1931). The Shelia Variations has a spectacularly detailed description of this “EEEEFED UP” film.

Basically it is about a woman who has a gambling problem, tries to cover it up, and tries to get money business man who has a strange Japanese Fetish. Okay, the U.S. financial system may not have a Japanese fetish, but we have a very strong dependance on China’s purchasing of our debt. We have become Tallulah Bankhead at a foriegn fundraiser. And the costumes are just not as good. At least Tallulah had a glittering head dress for her international humiliation.

Don’t you think we should be more fabulous for our downfall?

Holy amazing! This film is fantastic!!!!! “Why don’t you kiss me?” that’s what Robert Montgomery says to Tallulah Bankhead after she just returns from turning tricks in the gutter to raise funds to care for her dying husband. Then she has to kiss a crucifix of a police officer after he picks her up for prostitution.
The movie deals with unemployment and unexpected lengths people must go to during times of crisis. There is some some weird dubbing issue with the film though. I wonder if the original sound was destroyed? Robert Osborne??