The American economy is in a bad way right now. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures prices in terms of consumer goods, rose 1.1% in the month of June alone, representing an annualized rate of 13%. Gas prices are up. Food prices are up. Banks are struggling and mortgage lenders are failing. Rightfully, Americans are worried. Businesses are worried. Hell, Ben Bernanke, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, is worried.

But guess who isn’t worried? Yes, that’s right - somehow, astoundingly, President Bush is not worried. Rather than promise us that he understands the severity of the problem and considers the economy a top priority (since, after all, most Americans do!), he not only downplays the problem, he belittles it! When asked about whether he was worried over the state of the economy in a speech given this week, President Bush offered this reassuring gem,

“I’m not an economist, but I do believe that we’re growing. I’m an optimist.”

And I do believe that we’re only half a year away from a new Presidency. Amen!

(Speaking of optimism, if I had one wish, I think it would be for the President to not speak for the remainder of his term in office and to voluntarily cede all decision-making rights over to Congress. I want him to become a silent, lame duck.)