I don;t believe if every big bank and every hedge fund in this country went bankrupt, it would matter to the average shmo.

If the shipping companies lost their credit lines, the average shmo would notice. If the trucking industries lost their credit lines, the average shmo would notice. If his credit cards stopped working, he would notice. If the farmer that supplies his foot can't get credit to buy a new combine, he would notice. If the major banks went bankrupt, it would be such a world changing event that the economies of most nations would collapse. Credit is one of the necessary lubricants for our economy. Without credit, we go back to the 30s or 40s. Of course, when we run out of oil, that's where we're headed, anyway.

Hedge