Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates next week will get intense attention.

It's been far too long since the Fed's have raised the prime in this country. We've consistently stayed at 8.25% since, hmmm, let me think here, since, I believe June 28th or July 28th, 2006. Watching the markets frequently for signs, The Dow is down 2.8%. The S&P is down 2.2%, and the Nasdaq is off 1.8%. And they haven't raised the prime in too long of a time frame.

As of Wednesday at 2:15 pm(E.T.) The statement will come out at the end of a two-day meeting.

Too many investors are looking for reasons to sell at this time. With no rebound in sight, I'd think the Federal Reserve would finally raise the prime, which is coincidentally what banks base their rates upon or after. The housing market is still slack, unemployment essentially nationwide remained unchanged at 4.5% in February. Yet Michigan unemployment rate decreased slight to 6.9%. Ahhh the reasonings though..So many individuals who've been on unemployment for the last 1 - 2 years are now done, being unable to collect any further assistance. Jobs are still leaving this state, at a higher than usual rate. Our governor has no real answers nor solutions for our economic future, yet Michigan State Police Patrols are being cut by 1 in several cities statewide, for a total of 30. Yeah, right before summer. It gets hot, so do tempers, crime.
"Continued losses in Michigan's manufacturing sector have hampered the ability of the state to show net job gains," Rick Waclawek of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth said in a statement. "Additionally, Michigan began shedding construction jobs in 2006 due to the national housing slump."http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/11196567/detail.html

I fear another depression coming. Far too soon. I know, I know, the outlook for the economic growth in the U.S. is "suppose" to be looking up, I'm hard pressed to be convinced of this. NAFTA is one of my biggest issues.

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/ NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK
The estimated population of the United States is 301,203,162
so each citizen's share of this debt is $29,311.61.

The National Debt has continued to increase an average of
$1.91 billion per day since September 29, 2006!

I think alot of people confuse The National Debt and the Deficit.

The National Debt is the total amount of money owed by the government: the federal budget deficit is the yearly amount by which spending exceeds revenue. Add up all the deficits (and subtract those few budget surpluses we've had) for the past 200+ years and you'll get the current National Debt.

Politicians love to crow "The deficit is down! The deficit is down!" like it's a great accomplishment. Don't be fooled. Reducing the deficit just means we're adding less to the Debt this year than we did last year. Big deal -- we're still adding to the Debt. When are we going to start seeing the Debt actually go down?

What can we do about the Debt?
Write or call your U.S. Senators and your Representative. Tell them your concerns and ask them what they're doing to reduce both the Deficit and the Debt. If you don't like their answers, vote them out of office!
Call the Concord Coalition, a group dedicated to eliminating federal budget deficits, at their toll-free number: 1-888-DEFICIT (1-888-333-4248) and ask them your questions. You may very well end up joining the Concord Coalition!

If either of your Senators or your Representative has a web page which discusses reducing the Debt (not just the deficit) and/or they have a link to my Debt Clock (I've heard that some do) drop me a line with their URL and I'll put together a list of "the Good Guys" in Congress.