What's Your Economic Situation?

Just lately, over say the past year or so, all the major business shows / channels, seem to be reporting that we have a really great economy. Certainly the largest businesses in the world are recording profits & are flush with money. The Federal Open Market Committee is raising short term interest rates because Greenspan thinks that the economy is in danger of heating up or getting too good.

But an informal poll of my friends says this is not the case. A lot of them are out of work or working at jobs with little or no job security or at minimum wage. Health insurance for the most part is a luxury. And the littlest of things could throw some of them on the streets.

The thing that keeps coming back to me is John Edwards "Two Americas" speech. It seems to be the best description of what's going on. There's one set of people who are reaping the rewards of success & another set that isn't. And for whatever reason, all the guests & spokespeople on the business type news shows (CNBC primarily) just keep going on and on about how great things are.

So what do you think? What is your personal situation? If you want to add specific concerns -- healthcare, I know is a biggie -- please note them in the comments. Thanks in advance.

Update: I wanted to thank ya'll for sharing a bit of your lives with me. These were some of the most real comments I've seen in this forum. I wish ya'll the absolute best. *hugs* s.