Anecdotal Aspirations
In my opinion, there is a strong correlation between this year's economic collapse and sky-high energy and commodity prices earlier in the year. The recession was pegged as starting in December 2007, just as oil started its massive upward lunge. Now that oil has collapsed and is trading near $45 a barrel and gas prices are near $1.75 a gallon, this is going to ease pressure on the economy. While I don't think low oil prices are permanent, I do believe they will be stimulative in the short-term.