The financial crisis - living beyond our means?

The financial problems that have become apparent since 2008 can be put down to individuals and nations living beyond their means. How can the US government continue with an exponentially increasing debt? Why do people crank up huge credit card bills when they have no likelihood of ever paying them off? Why do many wealthy individuals in places like Greece make tax avoidance a way of life?

What happens next is hard to figure out but we are in for a period of pain and readjustment. Just maybe the outcome, eventually, will be a good and fair one but I can't help thinking we are entering troubled times where the threat of violent revolution is not far away.  This is a time when moderate people with good judgement need to make the voice of reason clearly heard.