And one of the things we're very proud of is the fact that we had a 6 percent contraction of the economy at the beginning of last year -- this past quarter we had a 6 percent increase in the growth of the economy.

WHITEHOUSE: Your Interview with the President

Spaghetti, which the Japanese love to eat with seaweed and cod's roe, has risen by over a quarter in the past year, and at the end of April hoarders cleared the nation's supermarket shelves of butter.

ECONOMIST: Bank of Japan

And while no one knows yet just how the current contenders have been spending their cash these past few months, a quick look back at expenses for the first quarter reveals where they placed sizable chunks of money early on.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Over the past six years, consumer debt has grown by a quarter and now stands at 130% of disposable income.

ECONOMIST: Browned off with Blair?