dgillz - Indeed I DO remember the Nixon/Carter era. Hey, I had to sit for two hours before work in a line at the gas station to fill up my tank. Odd license plate numbers filled up on odd days, even numbers on even days.
And I remember when a loaf of bread went up 30 cents in one week.
I also remember how the real estate market had tanked so bad in 1980, that developers had a rent-to-own option on houses, applying the monthly rent towards a downpayment!
Honey, I'm older than DIRT. But prior to this fiasco, I was young and had a steady employment history, great references, and I never, ever had a problem getting work. Heck, I was 27 and the world was my oyster.
Now all I've got is a stinky old oyster!
P.S. - Please ... no sexual innuendo (gross though it may seem) intended by my last comment ...