This is why talking about tax cuts for the rich (making over 200K) will cost McCain and the Republican Party the White House and substantially shrinking numbers of representation in both houses. This was an article in of all places - the bastion of Republicanism…Northwest Arkansas.

Residents turn to pawn shops for extra money

Whether the experts are calling it a recession or a slowdown, many Northwest Arkansas residents are feeling the pinch of tough economic times.

They can often be heard bemoaning record gas prices at the Laundromat, the post office and, lately, at the counter of area pawn shops.

Clint Gober, manager of Mountain Man Supplies and Pawn on South School Avenue, said he’s seeing more people bringing their belongings through the door and saying they need extra cash to fill their gas tanks.

It’s happening a lot more often now, he said. Three out of four customers that came in Wednesday morning said they were needing gas money.