Middle-development countries achieved a slightly lower growth rate, 1.9% a year, but seven out of 34 countries experienced outright declines in living standards.

ECONOMIST: By invitation

In addition, the sharp deceleration in home prices since 2005, including outright declines in some markets, left many of these more-recent borrowers with little or no home equity.

NPR: Transcript: Bernanke on Mortgages, Foreclosures

Because of the decline in housing demand, the pace of house-price appreciation has slowed markedly, with some markets experiencing outright price declines.

NPR: Bernanke: U.S. Growth 'Moderate' as Inflation Rises

But, as the number of smokers inexorably declines, disapproval has turned into intolerance, persuasion into outright bullying.

ECONOMIST: Rout of the new evil empire