If you are not fucking terrified at the moment you're not paying attention.
Seems pretty obvious to me that the American economy as a whole has so much shenanigans going on that investing broadly in it is a bad idea. Is it really that hard to move your money to a foreign currency`
http://in.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=^BSESN&t=5y&l=on&...
Risk-free return rate is still at around 8%: http://www.bajajcapital.com/gss/nsc.html
Citation and qualification needed (e.g. Switzerland certainly isn't worse off than America).
The countries you listed (aside from Greece of course) are having some issues, which they are addressing. So what. From where I sit (live in Europe, have family and friends still in the US) the US looks much worse off.
It's easy to establish that Europe is in at least as bad a position as the US. Your point as to Switzerland's health points exactly to why many (including myself) think this means that it is actually worse overall: Because of the Euro, each of these problem countries can't control their own interest rate, and so the likelihood of actually defaulting is greater.
http://www.moneyweek.com/news-and-charts/economics/europes-e...
That what is actually worse overall? Europe or Switzerland? Switzerland isn't in the EU and doesn't have the Euro. It's true they've bought a lot Euros to try and keep the Franc down but they've bought a lot of US dollars as well (for the same reason).
The terrifying part is that what you say is true, but America is still the best place to invest. Burying pirate treasure on an uncharted island is actually starting to look good.
The trouble is, you have to really fear the kleptocracies in charge, and even in the more sensible countries (like Chile, Costa Rica or my own, Uruguay) you have to be on your feet.
As usual, higher returns means higher risk (real or perceived - I suspect the risk difference between here in Uruguay and the US is more perceived than real).
By the way, if you want an investment that is mostly risk free, I'd look at finite commodities: steel, oil, uranium, copper, etc... (my uncle actually buys physical steel plate as a hedge - it can be used as input to his business but it's also a savings account).
Sure, the US economy is in pretty bad shape right now. but where else do you suggest we invest? this isn't a localized problem.
You've got very little to be terrified of, other than your lack of self confidence in your ability to make the best of a mediocre situation.
That philosophy might work if you're a single person.
That philosophy suddenly does not work so well if you have a spouse, children, and aging parents, perhaps sick or dependent families. Suddenly the whole "oh well, I can always just shoot myself" solution isn't so clean and practical.
And if worse case scenario it doesn't...and you are broke at 55-60....go rob a bank. If you succeed you get some cash...if you fail you get free room, food and health care.