I didn't read the doubters, but this is undoubtedly true. The weak dollar is responsible for the rise in commodity prices. Other commodities are getting a similar bump, from wheat to metals.

Even currencies. The Canadian dollar's strength comes from its being a kind of "commodity currency," since exports are so heavily weighted to oil and natural gas.

The current flight from the dollar is also a primary reason for the strength in stocks.

It would be nice if we could get that "liquidity" sloshing around at the top down to the parched middle class. Perhaps through rational taxation.

Gawd, it's wonderful that Clara Jeffrey still has the ability to exercise her FREE PRESS journalism.

I am sure "Big Brother" doesn't appreciate the fact that she told the "TRUTH" instead of another Bushie lie about oil and how it affects our economy, in relation to the almighty dollar.

People have been told lies for so long they actually believe them. Thanks Clara and keep "shoving the truth" into our faces for that daily dose of REALITY CHECK the ignorant need.

Am I wrong? You need to make people understand. The dollar is not worth $1.43 - it is worth $1.00 MINUS .43 against the Euro. so that is
$ .57 or 57 cents. The average "Joe" does not compute this. They need to know what is happening to our dollar and our country !

I just think that in an intellegent debate there's no need for Clare to be so sassy. But seriously folks, was anyone arguing that the economy is crummy?

A previous commentor proves her case... It is too complicated. The dollar is NOT worth .57 cents in either currency. The dollar is worth one dollar and one Euro now buys US$1.43. This means that the dollar is worth E0.70 or 70 Euro cents. Or it would cost US$1.43 to buy one Euro. Clearly this is too complicated.

Let's try this... Your Starbucks tall schizoid latte cost you US$3.00 or 3.00 Euros in June of 2002 (they were equal then). In Oct 2007, let's say you still paid US$3.00 for your tall schzoid latte but you would now pay only 2.10 Euros (or get US$1.29 change from your 3 Euros). Or in even simpler terms, you can buy a vente for what a tall used to cost if you are paying in Euros. Pretty good deal if you earn your paycheck in Euros.

Clearly Bush can devaluate the dollar to raise stock prices, lower export costs and reduce the buying power of Americans and we cannot begin to figure out how much we have lost...

Or, our ignorance is their power. This argues the point that a comprehensive knowledge of currency and currency exchange value should be part of or public education at even the lowest levels. It's pretty fundemental to our way of life yet because no one has ever tried to explain it to me in such simple, approachable terms, I am over whelmed by it and shy away from formulating an opinion. I think lots of us do that and it makes us weak voters.

Ultimately though, this is all linked to peak oil. China's boom is driving up demand, and therefore the price of oil. Fasten your seatbelts folks, we are going to be riding bikes, and that's a good thing.