It is simply amazing how Americans continue to take this abuse.

The average American citizen (ie from upper middle to lower classes, the largest section of the populace) has no idea what is going on, since the only news that they get is from News at 6 and 11, or their Newspaper that give a 1 figure summary in the Financial Section (DJIA +23 pts, Gold +$20, Oil -$1.53).

The internet has helped in this regard, but, what percentage own stocks in a publically traded company?

JMHO. Cheers.