On Whining

Obama spokesman Bill Burton had the following to say regarding Phil Gramm's contention that Americans, in addition to having become "a nation of whiners," is only suffering a psychosomatic recession (h/t to Kevin Drum for the term, I think):

“One of Senator McCain’s top economic advisors may think that when people are struggling with lost jobs, stagnant wages, and the rising costs of everything from gas to groceries, it’s merely a ‘mental recession’. And Senator McCain may think it’s sufficient to offer energy proposals that he admits will have mainly ‘psychological’ benefits. But the American people know that our economic problems aren’t just in their heads. They don’t need psychological relief – they need real relief – and that’s what Barack Obama will provide as President."