[hal ogen]

Here in the WDC area people are spending like there is no tomorrow. Restaurants are filled each night and at noon. Housing prices actually went up over the past year. It is hard to get plane tickets at any of the 3 local airports (BWI, National & Dulles). The stores are filled with people buying things. New cars are everywhere...lots of Mercedes, BMWs and so forth. New government buildings (palaces?) are going up.

So, dear Citizens...

Shut up, get to work and pay your taxes. The Beast must be fed.

Thank you.

[Jacquerie]

All tribute flows to the new Rome.

[Smokin' Joe]

Home assessment up by 1/3 in the last year (no improvements, just a 'marrket correction'), new housing going up, hotels full, new cars, etc. here, too. Just no tax money involved to make it happen.

BTW, a 1-ton pickup or large 4-door SUV is considered the equivalent of BMW in these parts, and does better in deep snow...