If the financial bloodbath and meltdown is not enough for some folks you can divert yourself with the big election on November 4th. New Yorkers are mainly, probably mostly entirely Obama crazy. At post Yom Kippur fast dinner tonight my old Calderwood Lodge Primary School Glasgow buddy,Paul Solomons, who found me on Facebook after 35 years, told me he can hardly bear to talk to a MaCain supporter, that's it, friendships are at stake here!

This stall in Union Square is full of trendy Obama t-shirts.

"Obama is the new black", lots of slogans abound. "Yes, we can." And of course his winning sound bite word "Change".

I am Scottish and I can't vote, but I can still buy a t-shirt or badge and do my bit! And help the economy at the same time! Go, me!