[letmelogin]

If a company goes out of business, or has to downsize, does it only have a negative impact on the owners? Does that qualify as an answer? If so it's over my head. Let's say the various risks listed earlier occur. Several companies close or downsize. Your parents' (former?) empolyers go under completely. Poof - you have no inheritance and possibly a couple new boarders. Your significant other's company downsizes, forcing them to work longer hours. Poof - your social life takes a major hit. Our wonderful forum sponsor is among the economic casualties. Poof - USPOL becomes a pay site, or worse, an ex-site. We're all worse for the lack of intelligent discussion, etc.

And that's just the effects on you, who felt absolutely nothing Directly. Meanwhile, the various janitors, phone operators, cleaning crews, waitresses at nearby restaurants, etc are put on welfare because of the business closings/reductions, increasing your tax burden twice - once with fewer payers sharing the costs and again with increased payouts needing to be covered.

There are certainly exceptions, usually that involve corruption, but generally, what's good for business is good for people.