CNN: Food stamp use rises to record 45.8 million

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/04/pf/food_stamps_record_high/index.htm?iid=HP_River

QUOTE: "Nearly 15% of the U.S. population relied on food stamps in May, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The number of Americans using the government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- more commonly referred to as food stamps -- shot to an all-time high of 45.8 million in May, the USDA reported. That's up 12% from a year ago, and 34% higher than two years ago."

34% higher than two years ago?  That is a huge increase.  Metrics like these give a much clearer picture of what the economy is doing than the manipulated job statistics released today.  Can you think of one real indicator out there right now showing things going in a positive way?  Try as I might, I can't.  Nothing real, that is....