Janskeet said:
The econemy goes up and down all the time, is this really that unusual?

It depends upon what you're asking that about. If it's about how people and businesses often fail to meet expectations due to poor planning and unforseen circumstances, then no, that's not unusual. If you're asking me if a government policy of high inflation is unusual, then I would say yes (or that at least it should be). If it's about the high levels of corporate taxation and other taxes that drain our country's economic strength, then I would, again, say that our current situation is unusual (or at least it should be). Lastly, if it's about government regulations and threats mandating and encouraging poor investments in our economy, then hell yes. There's been a lot of crap going on in this area lately (from mortgages to oil prices).