citizens in the third largest economy consume less gasoline and electricity. the output will probably decline. so you will see a softening of demand from that perspective. economists urge president obama not to overreact to rise in food prices by export bands on the u.s. agricultural projects or other obstructions on the market. bret: stocks took a knows dye today. dow lost 242. the s&p 500 gave back 25. the nasdaq dropped 50.5. housing starts plunged 22.5. second lowest level on record. oil prices were up. april crude rose 80 cents.