Quotes Of The Day

QUOTES OF THE DAY....Housing prices are spiraling downward and consumer confidence plunged four points in September. But that's dry and analytical. For an earthier view of what this means, here's a summary from a set of focus groups run by Democracy Corps:

In the focus groups, we handed people a page of positive facts about the economy....These swing voters — about half non-college and half college graduates — nearly attacked the moderator because many are on the edge: "Over half of Americans are what? Two paydays away from living on the street"; "absolutely"; "that's me." Nobody except the super-rich has seen salary increases in years; not if you are in a "straight regular job"; "people don't make any raises," and if you are lucky, your spouse gets 2 percent in some years. Some are working 2nd and 3rd jobs because they "can't make ends meet"; "I've never known so many people to have two jobs or more than I have lately." Still, "they are cutting back on everything." They are struggling to fill up the gas tank twice a week; and they fear a visit to the hospital will wipe them out. They are watching their own companies, even the large ones, reduce and freeze hiring.