As Americans observed Thanksgiving, the tradition that officially dates to the Civil War was a reminder, even in the midst of an economic crisis, that we've weathered worse times before. The Pilgrims may have held the first Thanksgiving feast, but it wasn't until 1861 when President Lincoln formally declared the last Thursday in November a national holiday. Then as now, even in bad times there was much to be grateful for. Still, as this year's holiday shopping season began on what one headline writer called Bleak Friday, there is no way to overstate the enormity of the economic crisis confronting the country. At last count, taxpayers are on the hook for a staggering sum that now totals almost $8 trillion. "The sums are just unbelievable," Senator Bernie Sanders told CNN. "What impact is it having? Why do we have to spend that money?" he asked. "Meanwhile, middle class families are worrying, how do I stay warm this winter. How do I send my kids to college?"

A Jolt for the Economy Sanders voted against the $750 billion Wall Street bailout that Congress approved in October, but he is a strong proponent of a major economic recovery program to create good-paying jobs. The senator agreed with President-elect Barack Obama's call on Monday for the next Congress to pass a bold economic stimulus package. "After years of neglect, our top priority should be a major investment in repairing our crumbling roads and bridges, fixing our schools, reviving our railroads, and making a major financial commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Now is the time to move forward aggressively because each $1 billion investment creates up to 47,000 new jobs," Sanders said. "If Congress can fork over $700 billion to rescue the Wall Street fat cats from their reckless gambles, why can't we put millions of Americans to work rebuilding our country as we address the severe economic crisis we face?" Sanders asked.

Gas Prices Vermont motorists used to pay less for gasoline than drivers in other states. Now they pay more, and Sanders wants to find out why. As travelers filled their tanks for Thanksgiving trips, the average price in Vermont was, thankfully, down a buck from last Thanksgiving, but it still cost about a quarter more a gallon in Vermont in the rest of the country. "My office is investigating," Sanders said. "I don't want to see the people of Vermont being ripped off." To hear Bernie interviewed by Vermont Public Radio, click here.