It's really interesting to hear what things are like on your street. Thanks for sharing that. But sad to hear you feel things are going downhill. And I agree with your observation about the disgusting contrast between people unemployed and scared about the future, and others trying to work out which cool gadget to get next or what computer game to waste their time on, like the crowd at the night open Apple store.

It's particularly scary to sad to hear about people who worry about affording medical care, in the USA. That is certainly one thing that is much better in Canada, surely. I honestly can't imagine how unpleasant it must be to worry about paying medical insurances and whether you can "afford" to get sick. Instead of worrying about healthcare, I am worried about pension issues, along with most people I know.

State sales tax (you mean VAT, right?) is between 17-25 % in the EU, so on that score I do not feel sorry for you yet! Ipad prices in the USA look like a steal to me, due to your lower sales tax. Food and petrol (aka gas!) likewise.

I agree the downturn is depressing... I still remember the autumn day in 2008 when it officially started. Reading the scary headlines and seeing near suicidal city workers at the Bank tube station in the City (financial district) of London where I worked then. Who would have thought the recession would still be going strong, four years later?!

Here in Sweden, I am seeing a welfare state in genteel decline. Lots of things that used to be public and free are suddenly privately owned and cost money. Things that used to be well maintained are beginning to crumble and look worn. Previously, the obsession of the state here was welfare for all, at any cost. Including the hopeless cases. Now, much more responsibility lies with the individual or family to look after their own interests. Right now, the state's obsession here in Sweden, is politically correct values - feminism, anti-racism, secularism. Tax sponsored paternity leave, for 4 months, just as an example of the level of craziness. Meanwhile, idea of the all inclusive cradle-to-grave welfare state that we were famous for, is starting to get dismantled.

In the UK I lived in a bubble of prosperity and everything was very well looked after - but there, the class differences are much bigger than in Sweden. I just happened to be at the right end of the scale. I am planning to move back there.

But I think we may be complaining to the wrong crowd - what Russia went through in the 90s was much more extreme than anything that has happened as a result of the recession. And there are more social problems there, as far as I am aware. Just look at the average lifespan for a Russian man.