What would you do if you went to the auto teller and it refused to cough up? “I can’t process your request right now,” it displays in a regretful way. “Try again next week, your business is important to us, have a nice day.”

One of the mysteries of modern life is why, in our increasingly secular society, belief in capitalism is as strong as ever. So many people don't see the miracle of life or a divine blueprint in a growing tree, but are willing to believe that their superannuation will be there when they need it.

It’s not as if our savings actually exist in a tangible form. The entire economy is a giant act of faith we cling to, individually and collectively.

A savvy government would never strive for a large monetary surplus; it would spend everything it could afford on infrastructure for its citizens.

Efficient public transport, renewable electricity generation, these are solid community assets. A ‘future fund’ on the other hand, is an abstract concept, virtual value squirreled away in a far-off bank, just waiting to be drawn into a dodgy ‘sub-prime’ black hole.

You don't need to read between the lines any longer. Simply reading the lines in the finance pages says it all, clearer by the day, of an increasingly shaky edifice on the verge of collapse.

Get out of debt, as fast as you can, would be the best survival strategy. We might wake one morning and find our stored wealth, whether savings, shares or superannuation, has been significantly ‘down-valued’.

The same is not true of a mortgage or a bankcard debt. It remains fixed in debt dollars. The problem is, you might not have enough credit dollars left to cover it.

Capitalism has an ever-growing appetite that must be satisfied. More labour output, more consumption and more raw materials feeding into the mix. How else could the investors achieve a profitable return on ‘their’ money?

Ever more raw materials? Whoops. Climate change anyone?

Look at how the captains of industry are responding to the challenge of reducing our consumption.

You can now buy an even bigger television, computer, camera, stereo or whatever with no deposit, no interest and no repayments until 2010.

Australia’s debt balloon continues to inflate. Although we're exporting more of the land under our feet than ever before, we’re spending every dollar plus a bit, filling our cupboards, houses and sheds with gizmos as fast as the glossy ads can spruik them.

A balloon cannot inflate forever – especially when there are potential privateer pricks lurking on all sides.

It will be educational to see how business reacts to carbon regulation. Emissions control might save the planet but it certainly won't be achieved through voluntary restraint by big business.

It’s going to be tougher for government to impose regulations on business for ‘the good of the people’, if we’re all down at the discount store racking up our credit cards.

To buy less and owe less is well worth considering for a more secure future.