Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right or wrong. The name calling and insults negate the credibility of anyone stooping to that level!

So I’m not going to insult anyone. I would, however, like to know some things about the people who claim that there’s no economic crisis in America.

Such as: Do you still live at home? Have you ever paid any kind of bill? Worked at a job? Have you ever been grocery shopping? Do your parents sit up after you’ve gone to bed worrying about how they’re going to take care of all the things you haven’t got a clue about?

Because the only people, other than the very wealthy, who aren’t being affected by this crisis, are minors still supported by Mom and Dad. If you’re not teenagers, then here’s a good piece of advice.

You folks need to stop living in a fantasy world and judging others based on your unrealistic observations. Because you know what? Not everyone has squandered their....THEIR....hard earned money on big screen tv’s and SUV’s. Not everyone spends a small fortune going to the movies. And if some of them do, it’s none of YOUR business. Are YOU living a totally spartan life? Good for you if you are and can afford it. The rest of us would like to be able to do that, too.

Gas prices are hitting MOST people very hard. Not just in their gas tank but in every area of their life. You almost have to win the lottery to buy a beef roast these days. And heat bills frighten most everyone. Even well educated people with jobs that others envy.

And here’s a word to the person who used what the rest of the world has been paying for gas for years. SO WHAT? This is America. I thought we were supposed to set the standards, not follow the leader.

The only action that will, in my opinion, help the condition of our nation is to hold our government leaders accountable for the way they spend our money and the decisions they make. If they don’t do the job they promised when they were elected, then we need to recall them. And recall and recall until our representatives actually start representing us and not themselves and their special interests!

BRAVO David!! We don't often agree on politics but THANK YOU for being one of the few that understands basic economics!

You wrote, "Additionally, a weak dollar DOES NOT attract foreign investors! A RISING dollar attracts foreign investors.."

Sorry Rob – you are 100% wrong. I've attempted to provide a details explanation of Econ 101 – but CNN has deemed it worthy to censor.

If you or any other individual WISH to understand the economics of the US Dollar – PLEASE check out The Federal Reserve Board of Chicago (you think THEY know what they're talking about?):

http://www.chicagofed.org/consumer_information/strong_dollar_weak_dollar.cfm

Bottom line: A weak US dollar HELPS our economy.

Trying to teach remedial Econ on a blog is certainly tiring when the students struggle to grasp simple concepts.

CNN Moderator – I fully expect you WON'T post this. It's obvious you are not interested in having FACTUAL posts and prefer to limit anyone with a conservative bent. Good Job!!

Any thoughts regarding Bernanke's warnings on the economy today? Do you even know who Bernanke is? Instead of spouting mindless burble about GDP why don't you take a good look around you? Why don't you get in your car and drive around a little bit. See if you can spot any trends in your own area. Start by taking note of how many homes are vacant, abandoned or for sale. But before you do that, you'll have to pull your head out of your rectum so that you can find your car keys.

You failed to mention the low unemployment rate and high productivity. You not wrong...the mispersceptions out there have more to do with the effectiveness of the constant negative drumbeat from our biased media.

Excellent posts and thanks for backing it up with real economic terminology, thanks for the quick education economics. I totally agree, the economy for the most part isn't nearly as good as it was for most of Clinton's two terms.

I have a family friend who is a long time stock broker/VP at SmithBarney. I asked him if the President is responsible for the state of the economy. His reply was that in his mind, the economy goes up and down regardless of who in office. Though he also believes that the Prez can indirectly affect certain factors in the economy.

Even though Clinton took credit for a fairly strong economy (minus the last year of his presidency), I think that he was over-stating his influence a bit. However, don't think for one minute that if the economy was so great, Bush wouldn't take credit for it.

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!

Now we need to promote American-made vehicles & discourage suv's which will in turn:

1. Allow factories to remain open HERE! In THIS country.
2. People to keep their jobs
3. Open up more jobs due to the increase in demand
4. Keep unemployment down
5. Help the environment
6. Use less gas–relying less on Middle Eastern countries

If our leaders weren't so absorbed in oil & promoted alternatives, perhaps we wouldn't have so many troops living their lives in the desert, carrying guns & dodging bullets & bombs.

Ahh. In a perfect world.

Coming from an ARMY wife. My husband protects this country with all he has. I only wish people would appreciate this country more & show respect for one another HERE! No matter what nationality, gender, sexuality, etc. a person is. It's depressing that all we seem to care about is money...& it seems a vast majority are forced to, due to what Wynter referenced earlier. Everything increases but our wages.

It's materialism & possessing things to prove status that is really the killer.

Also, a weak dollar does increase foreign investment. A foreign investor can trade their currency for more dollars than they would have if the dollar is strong. Investors will hedge by trading for more weak dollars in the hopes the dollar will become strong once more. They then turn around and trade those dollars back for much more of their own currency than they initially invested. In a very real sense the foreign investor stands to make a very good return when the dollar is weak.

No name calling. Just basic economics.

Please learn to remove your head from you rectum. The world will become a better place. Thank-you.

James, you’re 100% wrong and the name-calling is pretty childish on both your parts.

As the dollar declines imported goods become MORE expensive. Not just French wine mind you. Think about it. Do you really see a lot of goods labeled “Made in the U.S.A” anymore? No. Manufacturing jobs in this country have been declining for years. Almost everything we buy is made in a foreign country. That’s why our trade deficit is so high. Reducing the buying power of the dollar will increase the cost of goods for both the average American and large corporations. That means less money in people’s pockets and lower profits for corporations that do overseas business. This is not the sign of a strong economy.

Additionally, a weak dollar DOES NOT attract foreign investors! A RISING dollar attracts foreign investors, because their currency gains will add to the gains they make by investing in the U.S. The dollar is in a tailspin and it’s not getting better any time soon. Why do you think China announced today that they are divesting from the dollar and investing in other currencies??? (They hold ~$1.7 Trillion mind you). Give me a break James!

Oh, and the correct spelling is “SCHMUCK”.

I’m waiting patiently for your rebuttal. In the words of our President, “Bring it on!”

Jim, please learn not to make a fool our of yourself.

Instead of simply putting down RP, why don't YOU read the replies. And maybe lookat what RP is actually saying, rather than marginalizing his message because it doesn't fit the continued dysfunction politics as usual of the Republicans AND Democrats.

Oh, yes, you found me out, I am the one Ron Paul supporter. I spend all day on the internet going to sites all over the world using the guise of different names, making multiple YouTube videos and sending spam to all political sites. I also resistered under 4 million different names the other day and donated a doller 4 million different times. You got me.

Tax cuts if you are rich enough to not need them.

Or maybe is you have kids (and add to the overpopulation of the planet).

But if you aren't rich, and you don't feel the need to breed like a rabbit, your taxes go UP!

I have paid more in taxes since those traitors to their party took office than I ever have in my entire life. It's disgusting.

And for those of you living in a dream world (or not actually thinking just listening to what Bush and his lackeys have been telling you to think), the Economy is NOT doing well.

The best indicators for how well the Economy is doing are luxury items. Things you don't need, but would like to have. Games, movies... little things.

Well those items have been seeing increasing drops in sales, and a greater pinch on the end retailers as increased shipping costs tighten the already slim profit margins. People have less money to spend on such things because the Economy is NOT doing well.

What is the Democrat plan to reign in spending, end the massive defict, correct our trade imbalance, strengthen the economy, and return meaningful jobs? I have not heard it. All I hear is bashing.

Neither party is doing anything good for the US. They lock out all other parties, try to preserve and increase their own power, all at the detriment of the American people.

Both sides are slowly eroding our freedom and rights, invading our privacy, and heading us to a Big Brother government controlled militarized police state in their own way.

He forces people to buy two and three cars including at least one SUV.

He forces the Democrats to snuff out EVERY meaningful attempt to drill or use nuclear energy over the last 30 years.

He forced Ted Kennedy to champion new energy ideas EXCEPT when it comes to "Cape Cahd" and then it is an eyesore.

He forces everyone to buy IPODS, IPHONES, Cell phones, Play stations, Wie Consoles, $100 sneakers, $2500 Big screen TV's and every other high priced item that is "needed" for your home.

He forced people to buy homes that they knowingly couldn't afford, just so we can bail them out.

And Bush took action to help bail out the folks that SIGNED OFF ON the bad mortgages, but it got little to NO press.

$3.00 a gallon, it has been more than that AROUND THE WORLD FOR YEARS but let's make it a political game piece.

Blame this idiot for many things, but his across the board tax cuts (for people that actually pay taxes) made the CLINTON RECESSION the shortest ever.

Bill had a good run due to the dotcom industry that guess what, WENT BUST as predicted and he also saved dough by GUTTING the military and the 6-10 attacks on US installations while HE was in office went pretty much undeterred.

Unemployment is just as low now, the stock market is in new territory.

Should he be hammered for not putting the screws to the oil companies and for not doing enough in regards to alternative fuels, you bet, these are things that should be done NOW or at least looked at with a little more expedience.

Most of the economic indicators including the GDP have shown immense growth and considering the recession that he inherited and the FACT that 9-11 would have KILLED a weak economy, we are doing OK.

Feel free to dispute me, unlike "Hilarity" I can take it, but while you do, look around your house and add up how many of the big ticket items that I listed DO YOU OWN?

Climate change is the most important topic AFFECTING EVERYONE even Republican with your head in your head in your @(*#...and Congress congratulating each other for capitulating to bullies....

The middle class has been hit hardest with the squeeze and is nervous about where this will lead. I certainly support proposals like Obama's aiming to restructure the tax system, taking about breaks for special interests and the rich. More and more, I support a flat tax based on what you spend, not what you earn (though I admittedly don't know much about how such a system would work).

The only one out there speaking truth that has a real plan of action and has the most comprehensive all-encompassing policy (economic, foreign policy, monetary, governmental role and power) is RON PAUL.

/sarcasm

The title of this article should read "Americans have economy on their minds" not 'brain'.

No yield curves needed, Einstein. A lower US dollar HELPS the US economy in several ways: increases exports (our products are cheaper), increases US tourism (cheaper for foreigners to come here), US Capital Market becomes more attractive to foreign investors, etc.

The disadvantages: it costs more for US citizens to travel abroad and buy foreign products.

If you're not a world traveler and a connoisseur of fine french wine – it's not a big deal.

Not sure which is worse, Kerri – being a smuck or an idiot! Perhaps you could tell us since you've got both going for you.

By all traditional measures (GDP, unemployment, inflation) the economy is doing great. Of course there are issues, but I defy anyone on this board to point to a time of greater prosperity, let alone one that did not have any issues of its own.

Let the name calling commence. I have made an argument that the economy is fine so I must be a bad person, right? There is a prize for the first to call me a neocon.

It’s simple. Tax monies are invested into social programs for the poor and the elderly. The poor and the elderly then spend that money, strengthening the local economy.

Republicans love to point out that the rich invest their wealth, which strengthens an economy. That’s true—and every dollar that’s invested into foreign enterprise is a dollar taken out of our economy and sent to strengthen a foreign economy. And a percentage of every dollar invested in Big Oil or any other multi-national company goes to line the pockets of some Saudi sheik or other foreign entity.

Taxes which fund social programs for the poor and elderly, on the other hand, end up being spent at the local grocery, drug store, doctor or landlord. It almost never gets saved, much less invested overseas. It strengthens the local economy, by giving the rich business owner’s customers more money to spend at his business.

Tax money doesn’t just disappear. It’s all spent. The only question is where.

Ron Paul is a good guy, but would be more dangerous in the White House than the current idiot who occupies it now.

Oh yeah . . . Ryan, you really are a schmuck if you think the economy is in good condition.

And for the person who said that any Clinton tax raises would heurt, you forget about the package her husband passed. The wealtiest saw their taxes raised while the middle class and low income earners got theirs lowered. How do I know?, because my taxes went down. The result? One of the biggest economic recoveries with the largest GDP since the early 1960's.

Posted By Ryan Indianapolis

Yet another totally vacuous post from this champion. Where's the beef???
-collapsing dollar
-collapsing real estate
-accelerating foreclosures (just the beginning)
-stagnant real income growth
-rampant inflation (follow your own advice: don't believe the propaganda BS)
-very meager job growth (wish there was someone tracking the median income tied to "new job growth"...closer to Walmart wages, than anything else)
-increasing unemployment (yes, there are loads of people who have given up, and in turn not counted)
-continued deteriation of Manufacturing Base

WHAT ON EARTH do you find APPEALING about the way things have been run for the last 7 years ???? BE SPECIFIC !!!

Yet no one is listening to the guy who actually has ideas about the value of the US dollar, wants to end the war in Iraq, is a medical doctor, understands the role of US foreign policy in motivating terrorism, and thinks that war with Iran is as bad (or worse) an idea than attacking Iraq was.

Listen to what you're saying. Then go visit http://www.ronpaul2008.com