“No, I'm from Manhattan, and a lot of people are retiring, but nothing new is coming into town.”

— Scott Cable, sales clerk, Manhattan

“No! The national poverty rate has gone up for the third straight year, thanks to Bush, and Kansas is not immune.”

— Alice Lieberman, Kansas University professor, Lawrence

“I've worked at a small business, and business is booming, so I would say it's pretty good.”

— Andy Wolff, pottery and painting salesman, Shawnee

“I think it is. It's growing leaps and bounds in my neck of the woods.”

— Evan Tier, manager, Overland Park