Shaken by currency crises in Russia and the Far East, the stock market has plunged more than 1,600 points in the past two months. What do you think about the possibility of a long-term economic slump?

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  The other traders and I are quite upset. If this keeps up, we may be forced to participate in BMW's humiliating two-year-lease program in lieu of outright ownership.

  Daniel Barkum
  Trader

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  Over the past few years, I've been preparing for hard times. And if things get better again, I'll have a few extra jars of urine for my retirement.

  Stephen Youmans
  Groundskeeper

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  I sure hope the boom is over. It's hard to recruit people into a doomsday cult when things are going well.

  Frank Gehry
  Cult Leader

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  I should make it through this slump just fine, because I have no investments or savings to lose.

  Dana Iselin
  Waitress

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  I'd hate to have to return to the days of the late-'80s recession, when I was forced to give a moment of thought before frivolously consuming.

  Lucinda Russell
  Systems Analyst

• 

  The economic boom is over? Shit, I missed another one.

  Roy Caulkins
  Cashier