Not-So-Happy Holidays?

AP reports that Mattel and Hasbro, the leading toy manufacturers are bracing for a cold winter, of sorts.

Toy makers and major retailers are bracing for potentially weak Christmas sales this year amid concerns that consumers, many squeezed by skyrocketing gas prices or uneasiness over the economy, will spend less on holiday shopping.

But wait, how can this be? I just finished reading the governments latest Consumer Price Index report, which says there is minimal inflation and everything is hunky-dorie. (By the way, don't you love how they exclude food and energy prices because they can "swing widely from month to month". Try that at the food store or gas station; tell the clerk you're not going to pay the new price because its rising too quickly. See how much merchandise you get to leave with!)
The "experts" are running around stating that the economy can withstand rising oil prices of 50, 60 and even 70 dollars a barrel...no problem!
(His name escapes me at the moment, but Hitler's man in charge of Nazi propaganda said something to the effect that if you tell the same lie often enough, it becomes accepted as the truth.)

Rising fuel costs operate like a tax increase, cutting into consumers' purchasing power, Steidtmann said.

Nominate this man for Chairman of the Federal Reserve!! This is the most, and possibly only, intelligent economic statement you will read in the mainstream press this month!

Anyway, I think Mattel's and Hasbro's concern may be unfounded. After all, we live in a GHI (Gotta Have It) society. Junior may grow up to become a mass murder, or worse, if he isn't supplied with an unending stream of brain-deadening articles of amusement. God forbid we actually teach our kids that there are economic priorities and life is not one big Self-gratification Fest.

So, what will happen is that spineless Mom and Dad will max out the plastic, dip into the Home Equity Line of Credit or go for the big one and refinance the house again and take out all the equity, "cuz, ya know, I really want that 70" HD TV too."