Here's a different perspective on the current financial crisis from a colleague from SVN and pioneer in the Fair Trade movement. We invested with Clark Arrington in Equal Exchange years ago.

"You guys appear to have a big problem! Manage it well, as the world watches!

The perspective from Tanzania is somewhat different. This is not a credit society. Everything is cash. I pay rent one year in advance and prepay telephone, water, power, and internet. Yes fuel cost hurt but all my food comes from within 25 miles of my home and at home I have a big garden, banana and mango trees and my wife keeps an army of chickens somewhere in the back yard. As with everybody I paid cash for my car and we have no need for a heating system. My income comes from the practice of law and my clients include the governments of Tanzania, Egypt, and Kenya. We also represent major energy and telecommunication companies. I eat fresh fish everyday and I directly feed at least 10 people every day. I am not saying life is good but I don't have need for a credit card."