[FUNdamental]

A factor that is helping the economy that I don't see discussed much is retirement; with an early wave of the baby boomers retiring, or moving part time, the job market is strong because we are needing to fill those jobs being vacated. Many times, in the professional world, two lower paying jobs are made for the one job being vacated.

However, with the credit crunch starting, and the pros are telling us there will be an 800 billion dollar correction in the housing market before it's done, we are beginning to see slower major purchases like homes, automobiles, family travel, and home improvements. This situation will take a bite out of state and local tax revenue as well. It will be choppy for a while.

But hey, the President told us he was invited to the next OPEC meeting, so all should be well.