Sure. The economy sucks. Keep telling yourself that. I have noticed that the Democrats aren't mentioning it much any more.

- Interest rates only go up if the economy is taking off. A response to inflation.

- Energy prices are supposed to go up if oil supplies are getting short. That's how the market drives alternative solutions. Just one example: watch and see what the hybrid car market does over the next five years.

- As for deficits, from the second article I referenced:

The 2004 federal budget deficit, which is forecast at $477 billion by the Congressional Budget Office and $521 billion by the Office of Management and Budget, could come in at $370 billion, or 3.1 percent of gross domestic product, according to a new Citigroup forecast.

Predictions are just predictions, but the actual deficit for 2003 was lower than the OMB projection, and I have confidence that the 2004 deficit will be lower than the $477 billion prediction, too. I would, honestly, be quite surprised if it went as low as $370 billion though.