You said "Today there is nothing on the economic front to suggest a major slow down is happening."
Uh, Barclay, Goldman Sacs and Bank of America have downgraded the Quarter 2 GDP to .8% cutting the growth projection in half. So you need to take a look at something other than left wing propaganda blogs. Employment at 1979 levels. Ever wonder why BO is coming out this week with his economic speeches? That's because things are so good? LOL - nope, he is going about before the GDP number comes out to tell the media how to propagandize this issue.