The statistics quoted by Mr. Michael O’Brien in an article in the latest number of America include the following: “About $960 billion: the record amount of U.S. spending between November and December 2023 predicted by the National Retail Federation. Consumers say they expect to spend an average of $875 on gifts and holiday purchases this year.” To this figure we should add that the average household credit card debt is over $7,000, to show that American spending is downright suicidal.