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The best indicator I have is local. We have many large privately owned trucking companies and they are friends of mine. They tell me that it is almost impossible to get freight lined up out of most large metros. “Deadheading” is killing them. They tell me its worse now than in Jan. and Feb. When freight is not moving that means orders are not being made by retailers. Don’t believe the numbers coming out of the govt. “Liars figure and figures lie”

That's as bad news as the steel news. You're right - if there's nothing to ship, then there's nothing being made, and companies can't long afford to hold onto employees who don't have any orders to fill.

I find myself conflicted. I mean, if the economy goes south, it's a big black eye for Obama and the Dems. But at the same time, if the economy goes south, millions will be out of work, and they will be hurting, and I definitely don't want that. I don't think we can (or want to) let ourselves turn into the Democrats, who spend the entirety of Bush's last term hoping....HOPING....that the economy would go down the tubes, just so they could get back into power.