I think that surrogate flubs do require a grain of salt, however, this is McCain's top economic advisor. It concerns me that he dismisses the massive increase in gas and food prices as "mental".

I'm sure this will go down as one of those historical periods in America when whining was justified. Our options are pretty limited...now I think I'll go have a good

Said the man who probably never had to worry about money a day in his life.

How is whining justified? Bad things have always happened to people, and until recently, they've dealt with those problems and went on. Now, it seems to me, that when something happens, we want to blame someone else for our problems, and try to get someone else to pay for it.

Sorry, just had a long conversation with my brother-in-law, asking me for more money because he has lost yet another job...

I don't think that trying to find out how to remedy a problem is whining. Talking about a problem isn't the same as not dealing with it...it is working towards a solution.

I agree that talking about a problem isn't whining. Saying we are in a recession for the last 5 years, despite positive ecconomic data does suggest however that the situation we are in is somewhat coerced.

I haven't heard anyone say we have been in a recession for 5 years. We have seen significant economic downturns, especially within the past 12 months.

Gramm seems to be denying that energy and food prices have gone through the roof, and that this is having an impact on other aspects of the economy as well.

Amen Dave. Until relatively recent history people had to, GASP, take care of themselves and theirs.

I guess I thought crying for a minute would be justified at the thought of selling my car and buying a bicycle because I can't seem to get oil prices down, the value of the dollar up, and the housing market to stabilize. I guess it was sad to see my son loose his first house.

I don't think massive increases in food costs are the result of people not taking care of themselves. I don't think that over 400,000 lay offs in the past 6 months are because of people not taking care of themselves. IMO, it is an over simplification to suggest that people who are facing desperate times right now simply didn't plan well. This isn't just a blue collar problem.

Jillness you're my hero! My son and his wife own their own company creating waterfalls, natural slides, pools and ponds with 5 to 6 employees, unfortunately, they have to travel great distances in their truck hauling equipment to different jobs, of course once gas prices soared it pretty much sucked all their revenue ~ about the same time the housing market tanked, so they couldn't sell the house nor make the balloon payment; unfortunately, this is now a pretty common story. They are not crying though; young people are quite resiliant.

Oh Jazz, I am so sorry about your son. I bet it keeps you up at night.

I guess Gramm thought the retirees were whining when his Enron lost 2 billion from their pension funds.

Thanks janneth, I do have trouble sleeping and I hear those Tylenol PMs are bad for your liver!

Great point!