Yesterday the Dept of Labor reported that after inflation, the Average Hourly Earnings DROPPED .5% in 2005. That followed a .7% drop in 2004. Thus, during the past two years the Average Hourly Wage has DROPPED 1.2%. That means that for the average family the economy is WORSE not BETTER as Bush and company claim. The report said, "People see energy prices going up and they get a little worried about what they can afford to spend". Analysts said the wage weakness was having an impact on consumer confidence. This coupled with record high credit card balances being carried by the average American family show the Economic Boom that Bush claims is taking place is an illusion for the average American! The only place where a Boom is taking place is on the income statements of SOME companies such as Big Oil and in the net worth of the wealthy!