As Presidential candidate Barack Obama and John McCain squabble over the details of their campaign statements, one thing they cannot dispute is that fact that the middle class is fighting to survive. In a recent study by the Congressional Joint Committee on Economics, the numbers tell a story of increasing expenses, stagnant incomes, and near non-existent savings for the average American and his/her family. Specifically, in the past six months gas and energy prices at an all-time high have met with major job cuts in every sector. The average American now spends more on mortgage, childcare, and health needs up to the thousands of dollars when compared to years past.

We are very used to hearing about welfare mothers and the working poor and how federal subsidies andtaxpayers’ monies are used to support them.  I do not hear much now about the fact that with the higher gas prices and the increases in basic food prices, the subsidies provided by the federal government to those people who are not fully integrated in the economy may not be enough.  What are some of the econ