[a3n]

Speculation: we're part of the general economy. Corporations and wealthy individuals are getting better at keeping more of the money they make, partly by hiring less of the general population, partly by government tax breaks, and partly by offshoring their cash.

That leaves a smaller slice of the pie to be directly shared with us and the general population, and it also means that less money is circulating through the economy. Less money, less Slurpies consumed, less Slurpies sold, fewer jobs and smaller salaries, less demand for everything. I think.

[sogen]

Spot on. Outsource everything, pay less, keep more.