By Gary D. Halbert of Investorsinsight.com

The so-called Misery Index – which is simply the sum of the country’s inflation rate and the unemployment rate – rose to 13.0, the highest since 1983. The Index was pushed up by

higher price data the government reported on Wednesday. The Labor Department reported that the Consumer Price Index rose 3.9% over the last 12 months, the fastest pace in three years.
The data underscores the extent that Americans continue to suffer even two years after a deep recession ended, with a weak economic recovery imperiling President Obama’s hopes of winning reelection next year. The last time the Misery Index was at current levels was in 1983. But in 1984 an improving economy helped President Ronald Reagan win re-election. This year, the Index has risen more than two full points.
The Misery Index is an unofficial economic indicator created by Chicago economist Arthur Okun back in the 1970s.…
See the entire analysis at http://www.investorsinsight.com/blogs/forecasts_trends/archive/2011/10/25/72-say-us-headed-in-the-wrong-direction.aspx