Richard Bridge said it. The problem is capitalism. You've got to admit there's something risible about people in the land of the free trying to buy American only. Capitalism depends on competition in the labour market, yet as soon as it finds the cheapest labour (which is going to be almost anywhere but the USA) you all cry "foul."

We all know the Japanese economy is a colossal illusion. We all know the US economy is a huge debt-driven bubble waiting to burst. We know the world economy - being so dependent on the USA economy - is a conjuring trick. And it is on this flimsy basis that capitalism is deemed to have triumphed over socialism and co-operation.

We don't need to change the system. It's going to change anyway.