(I recognize it's useless to discuss this with someone who thinks a minimum wage McDonalds job is in every way equal to a living wage manufacturing job, so True Believers please ignore.)

It seems the "improved economy" which is cited so often is the result of unprecedented deficit spending by the Federal government. The US is going into the hole faster and deeper than ever, and that's at a time when the only real threat is from an occupied Middle Eastern country the size of California. That pumps money into an economy which in every other way is hurting.

Even though the Administration said that Iraqi oil would pay for Iraqi expenses.

GWB & Co. must see that the deficit spending will keep on until the election, and when it stops, as it must, the economy will come a'tumblin' down.

There is also a weaker and weaker dollar, artificially holding up the prices of stocks as foreigners purchase bargains, so that GWB can make it look almost normal.

If one overlooks those two items, it can look reasonable, as GWB needs it to before the election.

Oh, yes, the net job loss. And the phony statistics mentioned by GWB and the rest of the Administration. Which were quickly modified when those lies weren't even remotely sustainable. Not even a little bit credible. (Tell me that didn't happen. C'mon, tell me they didn't lie, get caught, and have to backpedal.) Those jobs are gone, and people with families aren't working. And won't be after the election, unless you count minimum wage jobs as providing a living wage.

Arf (would probably help to hear from people without wives who provide most of the family income.)