There is little of concern to the affluent, these days, outside of the economy. Jobless claims hit a 26-year high and new home sales are at an all time low. Stock Market Conditions are a distant second as a story in the news most affecting the affluent’s economic outlook. Though the stock market and the economy are linked, the news has been focusing on the government economic bailout, the stimulus package, and many of the other markers of a troubled economy and a recession.
 

Strong concerns about the Economic Environment caused this measure to rise 7 points, since Oct. 2007, from 12 to 19%.  

Though still eight months away, the upcoming election is weighing heavily on the minds of the Affluent and Millionaires. The hot Democratic race between Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton is getting a lot of incendiary media coverage and the almost assured Republican nomination of John McCain is causing a furor among political conservatives.