DECLINING house prices, rising job layoffs, skyrocketing oil costs and a major credit crunch have brought consumer confidence to its lowest point in five years.

不断下跌的房价，上升的失业率，飞涨的石油成本以及信用危机将消费者的自信心带到了五年以来的最低谷。

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It could give Silicon Valley a chance to address the problems that threaten its long-term ability to remain the world capital of high-tech: an overburdened infrastructure, skyrocketing house prices and increasing social inequality.

ECONOMIST: A dip in the valley