Small Town America Is Hanging on by Its Fingernails

Inflation is hitting hard rural areas that are often economically marginal to begin with.  There is relatively less of a financial cushion there than for city/suburb residents.

This is “Where driving is a lifeline, the pain from high fuel prices run deep. . .You have to leave town for about everything. . .Gas has always been exensive around here. . .but (people have) had to alter (their  routine around here). . .(When one small town resident was asked for her opinion, she said, ) “I don’t see any end to be honest. . .I think this courntry is headed into a depression.”

JUDY KEEN,”High gas prices threaten to shut down rural towns,” USA Today, July 2, 2008, p A1