Along with the rise in non-fuel import prices, this suggests the weaker dollar is taking competitive pressure off of businesses, giving them the extra pricing power they didn't have a couple of years ago.

It probably doesn't mean we don't see another rate increase, but it suggests that the Fed is not behind the curve and inflation is not getting out of control.

tossed aside in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and in response to the mercurial rise in fuel prices. Drilling off the coast of Florida will not bring prices down at the pump, nor is it a cure-all for the disastrous federal response to Katrina.

Wages, import prices, bottlenecks in shortages in the employment market

Probably the most important ingredient of a competitive region is the workforce. And we can either import our workforce, or we can train and support our own workforce to make sure everyone can participate. If all those pieces are in place, we can have a high-growth economy where everyone can participate.

unanticipated rise in fuel costs.