President George Bush, in Maryland Heights, Mo., and Vice President Dick Cheney, in Tulsa, Okla., were out recently selling their vision of the nation's economy. Bush said, "I know it's tough times, and I know you are having to pay more at the fuel pump than you want. But this economy is going to come on. I'm confident it will."

They seemed to be seeing the world through different colored glasses than most of us. National polls show concern for our failing economy is the No. 1 issue today on the voters' minds. According to an April 21 poll taken by American Research Group Inc., 72 percent disapproved of the president's handling of the economy.

Various sectors of the population have been affected by the downturn in the economy. The richest, which Bush gave the biggest tax break to in 2000, are hardly feeling the effects. The stock market will affirm that fact.

It is the seniors on fixed incomes, the middle class and the poor who are hurting. Reports from all across the nation report that food banks are running out of food while the food lines grow longer. A friend of mine said, "You can't blame Bush or Cheney - you have to blame the ones that voted them into office, not once but twice."