[Vision2020] economic crisis

[Paul Rumelhart]

This may be too personal of a question to ask on a public forum, but...  
how many people are currently feeling the crunch of the current economic 
crisis?

I know of a few people in the local construction industry that are hit 
hard. 

I've been lucky enough (so far, knock on wood) not to notice any real 
problems other than higher gas prices and higher food prices.

Are we in for a long term economic downfall?  How do you all think it 
will play out?

Paul