If I had to think of ONE thing, aside from trickle-down/deregulation economics, that had more to do with the mess we are in than anything else it would be...

Tada...WALMART

Over the years I have watched this town whither away due to the increase in size of Walmart. At first, they were an okay store, and they were attached to our only Mall which helped out the other businesses. They prided themselves on selling mostly American merchandise. Then they added on an auto service section and a grocery store, and a couple of our smallest tire shops, oil change places, and farmer's markets all went under.

Then came SUPER WALMART.

It wasn't long before more and more small businesses disappeared, only to be replaced be the next corporate invaders -- Home Depot has killed off most of the small hardware and specialty stores. Smaller hole in the wall restaurants have disappeared with the appearance of the corporate chains. Computer stores are all but gone thanks to OfficeMax and others. I could of course go on and on and on.

I have a solution. Wake up the sheeple to stop buying Chinese crap and SHUT DOWN WALMART!!

Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do it, but if it were to happen I believe we would see an incredible invigoration in small business. The doors would once again be open for people to build their own businesses again.

Small American businesses buying from small American businesses. Can you imagine? I can. I'm only 31 and I can remember it in MY lifetime.

Any suggestions?