Bear Stearns
 

Another example of financial mismanmagement. Another example of how the US does not have proper controls (think Enron).

How can the rest of the world distance themselves from what is obviously a disfunctional system in the "home of free enterprise"?

For starters, don't buy things made in the USA or invest money in the USA. Don't accept American aid--either government or private. Don't watch American TV shows or motion pictures or read American books or listen to American music. Governments could bar US companies from doing business in their countries. Don't allow American tourists or businessmen to enter.

I'm sure others can think of many additional ways to distance other countries from the disfunctional system.

afterall, I think the rest of the world can instead pattern themselves on SocGen, Parmalat, Lernout & Hauspie and Northern Rock, among other best-of-class international companies.

Don't worry. The US will self-destruct soon. Look at the thousands of US citizens who are emigrating every day to better countries such as Russia, Egypt, Kenya, China, Mexico, etc. And no one is clamoring to get in to this dysfunctional country.

"Free enterprise" has brought only misery to the 300 million people who live here and would be better off with Socialism or Communism, which has proven to be superior and without any corruption at all. ;;) ((*))

I didn't realize this was a travel issue.

In any event, the lessons to be learned are that even large companies can fail and never put your eggs in one basket.