There used to be a joke that was popular in Hollywood: If you grow tired of a war and wish to end it, simply put it on TV and it will be canceled in 13 weeks.

Americans have a famously short attention span.

We want what we want, and we want it now, and if we no longer want it, we want it, GONE!

This craving for instant gratification led to our bubble economy, to purchasing houses we couldn't afford, to Hummers, and to whatever could be financed. Our national savings rate went through the floor, while other economies, notably Japan's, kept socking away the yen while sipping the sake instead of guzzling it.

Now that the sour economy has dominated the news for the better part of a year, are Americans ready to get over it, to switch channels, to outright cancel it?

I, for one, am.

Saving dough, pinching pennies can be fun and rewarding if we're selling off vacation homes, or if we're finally getting rid of that second or third car payment and accompanying insurance coverage.

Still, saving money simply isn't as sexy as spending it.

I don't mean everyone is yearning to storm Las Vegas or to take that round-the-world cruise, or to let loose the inner libertine. I do think we're tired of feeling deprived, needy, something less than the economic titans we used to see reflected back in our silver spoons at first class restaurants.

While it can be a hoot to haunt the 99 cents store, especially around Halloween, finding outrageous bargains on decorations and ditties, it isn't quite as frothy as shopping on Rodeo Drive or in the boutiques at Caesar's Palace.

I think most Americans are tired of conning themselves into believing less is more, that deprivation is somehow empowering or uplifting.

More is more, and we're ready to spend, again!

If only we could find some money.