It's Naomi Klein's World, We Just Live In It Now

April has her eye on the big picture, but speaking for myself, I just want to continue drinking Quadruple Venti Mocha Frappuchinos With Double Whipped Cream and put the brain in neutral while I try to level up in Grand Theft Auto.

In order to do that, however, the economy is going to have to get out of the doldrums. Unfortunately, it looks like the disaster socialists are going to get their way. Naomi Klein and her ilk can cheer as that symbol of corporate evil, Starbucks, is going down the tubes, but did they ever think of what the baristas are going to do when they're out of work?

Speaking of gainful employment, while I’m not sure what this guy does or who he works for, I thought there was a beautiful symmetry in this article, whether or not the author realized it. If Washington, D.C. is the political capitol of the U.S.A., then New York is America’s commercial capitol. In the wake of the financial meltdown, Washington D.C. currently has the upper hand, and isn’t afraid to show it:

“I understand the concept that people don’t want to be seen spending a lot of money,” says Bruce Culmer, a 62-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., in town visiting a friend. Culmer is leaving Hermès with his purchase—three silk ties—proudly swinging in an orange bag.
“People shouldn’t be flaunting what they have. But it’s kind of silly to hide it."

Making fun of investment bankers is infinitely more satisfying than slinging mud at government bureaucrats. When you mock the rich, more often than not, you're doing it from a relatively comfy perch. However, when you're driven to satirizing government pencil pushers, invariably it's because the trust funds of the celebutards have been picked clean by the IRS and everybody else is generally worse off.

An Aside: Who needs that dull drip Naomi Klein anyway? Katherine Mangu-Ward shows off her mad skillz in this recent article - I think reason might have another Ana Marie Cox in the making.

Update: As I sip my 100% Guayaki Yerba Mate in the mug that I purchased from the reason online store, it occurs to me that class and status play an important part in all of this.

Update II: Retail sales are down, how many Rolex watches does one person need anyway?

Update III: If "two or more" is the correct answer, it looks like jeweler's are going to be the next in line for a bailout.

Update IV: Worrying about brand name goods is a luxury, especially when everybody is currently more worried about keeping their jobs.

Update V: Bubbles are popping everywhere.