In case you have been living under a large rock and are somehow oblivious to what has been happening in the economy, Governor Carcieri went on statewide television last night to emphasize in the strongest way he could that Rhode Island and the nation are in dire economic straights.

Things are really bad in Rhode Island, Carcieri said. The state's budget is swirling in red ink, unemployment is kissing 10 percent, housing values have cratered and foreclosures are soaring. Times are very tough and everyone, especially state government, has to pull the belt even tighter.

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