Retailers this Christmas season are anticipating a dramatic drop in sales.  Already, retail giants like Wal-Mart and Macy's are experiencing a dramatic decline in retail sales pre-Christmas.

With the decline in the financial markets and the rise in layoffs nationwide, it's no wonder that people, in general, don't have the money to spend on Christmas gifts that they had last year at this time.

The nationwide jobless rate has exceeded 6.5% and some states, such as California, have reported jobless rates in excess of 9%.

The financial future is grim for the U.S.  Perhaps the U.S. should return to the original spirit of Christmas before it was commercialized.