The largest swath of them, the baby boomers, even if their balance sheets are in good shape, are on a path of declining consumption.

FORBES: There's Something About Harry

As humans, our wants are unlimited, and as evidenced by how many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, many of us take the easy road of consumption over the more disciplined path of savings a great deal of the time.

FORBES: To Mount a Comeback, Obama Must Ignore Simon Johnson

We will most likely see international trade decline further until China embarks upon the path to becoming a service and consumption-based economy at which point the West will begin to export in a big way.

FORBES: How Does The Current Economic Recession Compare To The Great Depression?

Owing to the basic truth that we produce in order to consume, and that consumption of shelter is a given, the best path for the government to take in order to save housing would be to de-emphasize its ownership, or at the very least make it equal in the eyes of the law with regard to other investments.

FORBES: Magazine Article

However, the Asia-Pacific region is attempting to reverse unsustainable consumption and production patterns by embarking on a greener development path.

UNESCO: Water

"To get the world economy on a stable growth path again, it is necessary to correct excessive consumption in the United States, as well as global imbalance coming from insufficient domestic demand of various countries, especially those with trade surpluses, " Aso said.

CNN: Japan unveils $17B Asian aid package

With the foreseeable path ahead still seemingly defined by slow growth, a much-desired virtuous cycle of stronger consumption, growth, and job creation remains elusive.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down