Average Americans buying into the fairy tale that the economy is hunky-dory. A bought-and-paid-for media deluding Americans with visions of a healthy economy exemplified by a booming stock market (84% of stocks are owned by wealthy oligarchs) rising wages (swallowed up by rising inflation) and an upsurge in consumer confidence (based on phony statistics). Nothing to fear, go out and spend, spend, spend. Who can forget President Bush after 9/11 urging Americans to do what Americans do best —spend. That’ll show the terrorists we mean business. Ridiculous, huh? But American consumers are drinking the hemlock. This holiday season promises to be a blockbuster carrying a $1 trillion price tag. The oligarchs thank you for your generosity, retail shareholders rake in the dough and average Americans —what’s in it for them? An avalanche of bills. What’s wrong with this picture? Read “BREAKING NEWS: Santa Claus Skips Town. Excessive Debt Blamed” for a possible answer.