[YoungKentuckyConservative]

Likewise, the constant drumbeat of "gas prices" has people in a tizzy, even though last night on the FOX business show, all the analysts agreed that we'd have to see $90 a barrel before it would seriously affect the U.S. economy.

What a crock. The average family, commuting from the suburbs, is losing serious purchasing power with the increase in gas prices. Talk to real Americans. They feel the pain. I've cut back dramatically on my spending to maintain the same level of savings and investment. Gas prices ARE taking a toll on the economy, just not for the big fishes that continue their newspeak of "all-is-well status".

[LS]

No, it's not a crock. We're talking the real economy, not just a few daily adjustments that people make. So you drive a little less---that's not the same as running a factory 40% less because you can't afford energy.

The fact is, gas at the pump reflects close to $1.00 in taxes in many states ($.56 in Ohio), and in real dollars, the cost of a gallon of gas, less taxes is only slightly higher than what I paid for it in 1970. As long as a gallon of gas is cheaper than a carton of cigarettes, you know it can't be too expensive.

[A. Pole]

[LS:] all the analysts agreed that we'd have to see $90 a barrel before it would seriously affect the U.S. economy.

[YoungKentuckyConservative:] What a crock. [...] Talk to real Americans. They feel the pain.

For these analysts and their employers the U.S. economy is the value of their assets and the interest they can squeeze out of their financial investements. So long as it stays high they will not feel any pain.