I hope what comes out of this financial fiasco, however serious it is and forever how long it negatively impacts us - is a wake-up call.

Whether the wake-up call is under an Obama presidency or McCain presidency - I hope the people of this country are shaken to the core into realizing our economy can't be based on smoke and mirrors and false imaginary wealth and excessive credit. I hope we are shocked into an awakening to the facts that we can't spend more than we have or earn, either personally or governmentally.

It has been so easy for Americans to say we want low taxes and, at the same time, insist on more government programs and government assistance. We have only been fooling ourselves and putting off the inevitable. The inevitable may be here. This is our learning time. I hope we are all good students.