Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

The United States' grip on wold power is quickly weakening.  This is apparent in our economic recession (of which we are apparently coming out of), our tarnished reputation amongst other countries, and now apparently our collectively poor health.  An article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal discussed why job growth and some areas of the economy are not necessarily encouraging.  Here is the link: Number of the Week: When Job Creation is Troubling.  Thousands of politicians are seeking to develop the cure to restoring the United States' surging economy while seemingly ignoring the most obvious factor to our sharp decline.  We are a country of excess, and we are not willing to give up those excesses.  This article further establishes that point in that the areas where we do see growth can be directly related to our culture of indulgence and the harmful effects that result.  It seems almost every solution rolled out by our government seems to attempt to come up with a way to fix the economy without inconveniencing any of its consumers.  It should be apparent by now that we as a country will not get back on track without some pain and sacrifice.  I believe it will take both increased taxes and decreased spending.  You cannot put a significant dent in our deficit without both.  It is simple economics in that the amount coming in must be more than the amount going out.  The numbers are there.  All the clues are there.  Now we need to face up to the obvious, make some sacrifices, and stop debating over the pain-free solution that does not exist.