MORE ECONOMIC TRUTH – AT 10:59 P.M. ET:  More economic truth, from people on the front lines.  Via CNN:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Wal-Mart's core shoppers are running out of money much faster than a year ago due to rising gasoline prices, and the retail giant is worried, CEO Mike Duke said Wednesday.

"We're seeing core consumers under a lot of pressure," Duke said at an event in New York. "There's no doubt that rising fuel prices are having an impact."

Wal-Mart shoppers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, typically shop in bulk at the beginning of the month when their paychecks come in.

Lately, they're "running out of money" at a faster clip, he said.

"Purchases are really dropping off by the end of the month even more than last year," Duke said. "This end-of-month [purchases] cycle is growing to be a concern.

COMMENT:  It's probably ho-hum at the White House.  After all, aren't these the people who cling to their guns and their religion?  Why should more advanced specimens of humanity be interested in their plight?  They probably want station wagons, too.

If only they'd gone to Ivy League schools.

April 28, 2011