Is it just me or does Davy Crockett look more like Sloth from the Goonies in that image?

I'm not an economist, a scientist or a politician so my opinions are that of an every-day American, if not more educated than the average bear on current events both political and otherwise.

The politicians and pundits haven't persuaded me that the economy is tanking, the economy has persuaded me just fine. It's not just about what i pay at the pump, it's now about what i pay at the grocery store, Best Buy, WalMart (if i went there), even my local convenience store. It's about the fact that i can't get a home loan because mortgage companies were so quick to give loans out to anyone who would sign their names. Now I make enough money to afford a mortgage but i can't get a loan to save my life because apparently my credit rating has to be STELLAR and not just above average like it once did.

It's about the fact that my rent has gone up $100 in the last year. I am now paying out about $160 per month in gas as opposed to $80 previously. More and more people are owning stocks and that's great. Unfortunately, i'm not able to contribute any money into my new 401k as of yet because my wife can't find a job in her field, and thus i have to account for the money somehow.

I know this post is disorganized and for that i apologize, but i don't honestly believe the economy or my way of life has improved in the last 8 years, not at all. Everyone i know is paying more for virtually everything. I know it's easy to say the oil prices have risen due to China and India consuming more, but our government should have known that and planned accordingly. Hell, i've been talking about China and India for years, and i'm just an average guy.

A patron saint for George W. Bush?

That would be St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes.

Some may consider it appropriate that he is also known as St. Judas.