The Danger of Deflation

For a pretty good analysis of what happens under serious deflation and loss of confidence by the populace here is an article in the NYT (which still produces an occasional gem) that reflects the economic malaise now infecting Japan.  Could this be our future here in the US?  The best way to avoid this outcome is to keep alive the animal spirits of entrpreneurs, those who are always looking for better and more innovative solutions to everyday living.  The experiments with socialism/statism and the collectivization of our society must be defeated or we will end up like Japan in a generation or two.  This is not a pretty picture.