We have had the Ross Perot "giant sucking sound" warning come true.  Our manufacturing has moved to Mexico, the Pacific Rim, and China.  The U.S. economy has been transformed into one reliant upon service and entertainment.  These sectors are heavily dependent on disposable income in the hands of the consumer. In the recent past, spikes in gas prices have taken a bite out of the economic activity in these sectors.  Fifty dollars more in gas per month out of the consumer's pocket has manifested itself in lower retail sales and durable good orders.  Consumer confidence dipped.  This has been met with Federal Reserve easing in an effort to smooth every ripple and tap down every blip in the once free market. What then of sharply higher health insurance costs resulting from ObamaCare?  No longer are we diddling with a mere $50 or $100 more a month in unforeseen fuel costs, but rather hundreds of dollars a month...(Read Full Post)