There seems to be an excessive number of Propaganda-oriented Business Analysts that regularly, and on special events, barrage the media outlets with reams of nonsense. Seems to be oriented towards those persons willing to read it that are not living within the US.
So this Summer we invited close relatives and friends from the EU to come, stay with us and view 1st-hand life in a prosperous Western Country allegedly number 1 in the ratings.
They returned well educated and shocked at what they experienced. With now 49 million uninsured (up from 45) they could not grasp the Healthcare environment. After the grocery store they wanted to go home. After the baggage handlers they needed to replace their luggage even when they had left them open.
We wow'ed them with reality. They changed their opinions; they still like the people.

Thomas Clark, Portland, Oregon, US

"Its gonna be a fact of life until someone decides to change the principle of the capatalist system."

I often wonder if people who bash capitalism have any idea what it means.
In short, the application of scarce resources to achieve maximum return.

I'm unsure how a communist government would magicaly create energy, or apply scarce resources in a manner that is better than whatever method generates the highest return.

Dominic, Manchester, UK

Hullo------"Corn Gas", however comforting it may seem to the "Greenies" in the world is not the answer, simply because there is not enough corn produced in the world to deliver the amounts of liquid needed to make a difference that the world can live with!
Stop with the PC self-delusionary process, and wake up, and you nitwits in government who keep presenting this alternative, are just trying to make "Brownie Points", with an un-informed voters. Sounds great on the stump, but doesn't work in real world.

jim johnson, framingham, ma.

Considering the IEA is forecasting world oil shortages come 2012 unless somehing miracluous is done then everyone wil be paying more for it as capatalist economic theory expects. So how much would be hurtful to the first world, $5 a gallon, probably would not be an issue but $10 would and it is not out of the question come 2020 for China and India and globalisation in general has put huge pressue on the global energy infrastructure and the US still clings to poor mpg and lobbying by fossil fuel companies still hits home where politicians are seduced by money and other niceties of life.

Prepare for higher food prices and higher fuel prices. Its gonna be a fact of life until someone decides to change the principle of the capatalist system.

Pete Best, Northampton, UK

Brilliant idea to link food prices to oil prices. How are we blessed with such political genius ?

China and Indonesia subsidise kerosene for cooking but face huge increases in food costs leading to worries of rioting and civil disorder.

Here is the West people pay more for bread, meat, milk and other staples so they can drive to the supermarket on biofuels.

Oh to be green.....as in wet behind the ears !

TomTom, Leeds, England

Irwin, I don't know where you live but I seriously doubt you get out much. The bridges are not falling down, the credit crunch is almost over and consumers are not reining in their spending. As one who, every day, is involved in financial markets, I shall keep this simple for you .
The true problem was manifested in the sub-prime mortgage market and the consequent implications in liquid markets. (e.g. money markets etc.) Liquidity was injected into the "system" via the discount rate not the fed funds rate.
I would suggest you learn the diverse meaning of "interest rate" and spend some time working on the Street rather than just sitting in your ivory tower pontificating on financial matters on which you have little understanding.
And Irwin, the British, like every other "internet-connected" nation, get their news from a variety of sources. The idea of just listening to the BBC shows not only your age but also your lack of understanding of the internet.

John Vierney, New York, New York

It must be made illegal to turn human or animal food into alcohol for fuel. It is a moral question about the nature of humanity. Alcohol can be made from many substances, including renewable wood. If we reforested America and used the wood wisely, and made public transport free, we would solve the majority of the pollution problem and change the weather for the better.
As for everyone being satisfied with their lot in America; what bof and piffle!!! Couples in my family are working 3 jobs, paying $600 a month for crappy private medical insurance, and will be bankrupt if they lose one of their 3 jobs. Will they be buying a house at ANY rate of interest. NO! Are the statistics true? NO! Very rich men own the media. They make up their statistics to order. There is more censorship and manufactured news in the American media than truthful reporting! The Patients are in charge of the Asylum.

victor compton, Cherbourg, France

I don't proclaim to be a market analsyst or even someone with in depth knowledge of the financial or govermental world, however the comment of Mr Stelzer on the topic of increasing food prices due to several governments decisions to use corn for petrol production really hit home with me.

I started out my working life and during 8 years worked for the worlds largest manufacturer of breakfast cereals. I therefore have a knowledge of the problems that these companies have in keeping prices down due to supermarket chains copying thier products for cheaper prices etc.

In my opinion the government should have acted from the begining with the corn farmers and worked out a process where they had to continue selling their products at the same volume and same price to all new or previous customers when it is for food consumption. They can then capatalise on price with the new investors looking to manufacture petrol -who will undoubtedly make their tidy profit as usual at the pump.

Alan Gemmell, Madrid, Spain

Economic and monetary management may possibly have evolved to different long term views to accommodate different levels of concern as to risks and preferred outcomes.

Within the limits of focussed opinion polls (which may steer thoughts in desired directions) people have a preference for apparent increase in some numbers (incomes and house prices) over time and aversion to other increases (food and living costs and taxes).

It remains only for masters of the arts of description, presentation and statistical interpretation to convince minds that what they may intuitively know cannot be for ever may seem more favourable than appearance would suggest.

As the successful dreams and entertainment industry based in Hollywood knows, giving people more of what they want may seem a snap, but sometimes can fall flat or be a surprise hit at the box office..

dr venables preller, Warminster, UK