In November, 2007, I got the following email from my brother:
*************************************
Hi All

Sorry to have been away for a while but I have been defending North
Carolina from a golf invader from the North. I have written down what I
consider "bench marks" that I am going to track now that the Dems have
taken both houses. Keep in mind that the brilliant economist and
philosopher Shiela Jackson Lee has already stated that "The reason the
stock market has reached a record high is because Democrats were elected".

As of 11-07-06

Unemployment 4.4%

Gas (Nationwide Average) $2.08

Dow Jones $12,187

Congress Approval Rating 29%

Presidential Rating 37%

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 6.2%

Last Terrorist Attack on U.S. Soil 9-11-01
**********************************************

Today he sent this one:

**********************************************
Unemployment: 6.5% (up 48% from 4.4% ).

Gas (Nationwide Average): $2.36/gal (up 13% from 2006, but down
dramatically from the $4+ high in the summer of 2008).

Dow Jones: $8,943 (down $3,244 – will need to increase 36% to meet
11/7/2006 level).

Congress Approval Rating: 18% (down from 29%).

Presidential Rating: 25% (down from 37%).

30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.48% (up from 6.2% -- if you could get
approved).

Last Terrorist Attack on U.S. Soil: 9/11/2001 (still!).
*****************************************
I wonder what the next two years will bring.
--
* Procrastinate Now! *

John H