[2.7RACER]

There are many reasons for this recent "slowdown".
The continued trade imbalance, particularly with the Chinese.
The "sailor on leave" deficit spending by the Congress and GWB.
The cost of the Iraq war. The true cost is much greater than has been published.
Of course the housing sub prime mortgage issue.
And not the least the collapse of the housing bubble.
The escalating cost of oil, part of it a reflection of the falling dollar.

This economic boat grounded hard isn't going to right itself until the government decides to balance spending.
Part of that will be the realization we cannot afford to continue in Iraq. The cost is too high.
The housing market will need a minimum of two years to clear itself.
The imbalance of trade with China cannot be solved quickly, even with a falling dollar.
The only way oil prices will stabilize or fall is a worldwide economic slowdown.
The price of fuel will increase in the US because the dollar will continue to fall in the near term.
Until we in the US get our economic house in order, like federal spending and foriegn trade, we can expect more difficulty, along with a lower standard of living.
Vote for whomever admits we are in deep trouble along with a plan to curb spending, balance the federal budget, and reduce the imbalance of trade.
We cannot borrow our way out of this, there is no magic bullet.