Nothing beats going abroad for really getting away from it all.
Job security is the most central economic issue for most people.
If you feel your job is secure and your own economic outlook is rosy, you'll vote to retain the status quo. Tobacco stocks are still the best show in town thanks to President Clinton. The market keeps nudging up despite everyone's best efforts to vacation August away. On the plus side, the Fed left rates unchanged but the markets, of course, are already worried about its next meeting. The Bundesbank lowered German rates and the French followed suit, giving a boost to the U.S. dollar.