Gasoline: $7.50/gallon
Prime lending rate: 12.5%
Gold: $1,200 US per ounce
Highest FITW rate: 55%
Jobless rate: 5%
Foreign Policy: US Military abandons Iraq and Afganistan. N. Korea and Iran allowed to pursue their "peaceful" nuclear enrichment programs. Trade Deficit with China approaches $1 trillion US. Muslim reparations bill passes Senate, awaits House vote after President Clinton's hearty endorsement. UN takes over administering Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Statue of Liberty as international treasures resolutions are ratified and treaty with US signed by president.
Meanwhile, the line to see the administrator for approval of your claim to see a doctor now takes 3 hours. Emergency room visits last half a day before you are admitted for treatment, after first going through a credit check. The deadline for personal firearms registration will expire in June.
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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)