[Dooby]

The Misery Index is a real statistic-unemployment plus inflation. Although whose misery it actually guages I am not really clear. But Kerry's "Middle Class Misery Index" is something he and his staff made up to make the economy look bad. And it is based on odd factors that are not particularly relevant or insightful. For example, one of the factors is the number of bankruptcies filed. I am practicing bankruptcy attorney. There were a lot of bankruptcy filings this year; more than last year. With rare exception, there are more bankruptcy filings than the previous year every year dating back to 1978 when the modern bankruptcy code was passed, even during the tech boom. In other words, it really isn't a mearsure of the economy on any scale.

Despite Kerry's best efforts to make it look this way, the great depression it ain't.

BTW, going back and looking at Kerry's "Middle Class Misery Index", the heyday for America's economy was under Carter in 1978-80. Genius. Energy crisis and double-digit inflation. Good times.