Are you kidding. . . (continued)

Our education system is failing our kids. . .

• A prominent 2003 study, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, shows a steady decline in the performance of American students from grades 4 to 12 in comparison to their peers in 46 other countries.

Our life expectancy is slipping. . .

• Americans are living longer than ever, but not as long as people in 41 other countries. A baby born in the U.S. in 2004 will live an average of 77.9 years. That ranks 42nd in the world behind Japan, most of Europe, Jordan, Guam, and the Cayman Islands.

More homes in America are in jeopardy. . .

• Home foreclosures are up 68% from 2006, and 2 million more households are at high risk for foreclosure. Another 13 million households pay more than half their income for housing. Nearly 3 million households can’t even afford the lowest-priced home rentals.

As gas prices rise, oil companies are making record profits. . .

• Nationwide, Americans now spend an average of 4% of their take-home income on gas, but in some areas people are spending more than 13% of their salaries to get around. That means gas expenses are now rivaling what families spend on food and housing.

• In 2008 Exxon made corporate history with $11.7 billion in quarterly profit, a 14% increase from 2007. They reported both the highest quarterly and annual profits EVER for a U.S. company, boosted in large part by soaring crude oil prices.

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