The writer of this story should be in jail (or in a mental hospital)I know one thing - this Country didn't become the world's superpower by being a bunch of crybabies. Leave it to the AP to spread doom and gloom so their boy Obama can win in November. i can't wait for the AP to go out of business, and that's coming. I can't believe this talentless hack of a reporter even pulls a paycheck (small though it may be)

give me a break, Amen!!! I am so sick and tired of all the boo hoo baby men in this country. Everyone seems to have a gripe or some special imaginary complaint about the government, the struggle against militant islam, thier civil rights, the economy, living under a "dictator."
This country has gone through vastly more challenging times than these.
It's not wrong for people to gard thier freedoms and stay aware of current events but holy cow stop crying and acting like spoiled children.
If anyone is looking to Obama or a federal government program or policy to fix their lives maybe you're in the country to begin with.
The company I work for did record sales last month, I have protected civil rights, I don't feel oppressed by the government and the struggle against militant islam is going well on many fronts.
Indeed; stay aware, stay involved, stay proactive, but whatever you do dont moan, complian and belittle the traditions and ideals that made this country great.
Learn history and get a clue on what makes the American people strong and vibrant...hint, it aint belly aching.

FEAR OF LOSS, is the #1 motivator of man, when one uses "WORDS" such as, an erratic stock market, a tougher housing market, that's what liberal's want you to think, (aka AP Optimists). Sometimes we have to add truth to those words, such as, US troops are not fighting on July 4th for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or big government programs. They are fighting for our freedom. Barack Obama's new ad says he worked his way through college and law school. But his campaign says he had two summer jobs. When somebody opens a business, they're speculating. When somebody fills two gas cans, they're speculating that the price today is cheaper than it will be in the future, if you take the speculators out like the Democrats are suggesting, all you're going to do is move the speculators offshore to places like Dubai and lose American jobs and also lose control over the market. Is that what they want?, how come none of the senators from these ethanol states ever complain about the speculation in corn or wheat that's driven up the prices of bushels?. It's because they have a bias against oil.

So this article is about how the country is so pessimistic even though times are really pretty good. And why are they pessimistic? Because of article like this. Media reports about how bad things are in an attempt to make things bad - or at least make people believe things are bad.

It sounds like we need change. Sound familiar? This article is another in a long line of attempts to move the country to the left.

The truth is always hard on conservatives. Denial is their reflexive response.

I would like the AP to interview the citizens of Iran, Cuba, Russia, and yes Europe who economy is much worse than the USA. Remember the Carter years AP? 21% interest rates. The AP can't bash the bad things goin on in Iraq now, so they try to turn the attention to the high gas prices in the USA. If Bill Clinton had not vetoed drilling for oil in Alaska in the mid 90's, today we would not be paying $4 + for gas in the US. It needs to be fixed, so guess who is holding up drilling in the USA??? You are right the democratic congress!

Sam writes "Times are pretty good."

With all due respect to him his views in my opinion do not reflect the views of the majority of the people in the United States.

To the view of RLP that if the oil companies were allowed to drill where ever they wanted in the US it would drive down the price of oil, I disagree.

First of all I doubt that oil such as alaska's would remain the the United States. Where does the Alaskan oil now go? Does it go to the lower US as gasoline or does it go to Asia?

Is it simply sold to the highest bidder?

I would be more inclinded to support off shore drilling and Alaskan drilling if there was a guarantee that the oil would remain in the United States and sold on a cost plus basis rather than the going world rate.

I do not believe that unlimited drilling and pumping in the United States would drive down the price that you or I pay for fuel.

Most oil companies operate on the international market and there is no incentive whatsoever for them to cut a special deal for Americans.

I had the good fortune to watch a very beautiful small town parade in northern Minnesota on July 4th. The parade went along the lake for a mile. It was only one car lane wide. Dogs and candy were plentiful. No high school bands, though. The people were happy, the flags unfurled, the weather gorgeous. The fire engines polished, the old cars looked good, the kids on the commercial little floats were all scrubbed clean.

Collectively, these fine people, who were all white, were doing great. They had their cabins, their boats, their money. They have theirs.

But if you are not from there...? well...?

That's another story for another day, huh.

Moral to the story? Inherit wealth if at all possible.

Exactly what the liberal media... including the reporter of this story want you to hear right before a general election!