the new depression?

So everyone is talking about the end of America as we know it. With gas prices at an all-time high (with no apparent end in sight), America's flooded heartland in Iowa, and the poor performance of the stock market as of late, people are worried. And I don't really blame them. The real estate industry is seeing a total slump in most areas. I can attend firsthand that some areas of e-commerce are seeing less sales, even if the cost of gas is making online purchases more desirable. So what do we do now?

Our presidential hopefuls seem to think that they can stimulate our economy in some way and prevent another depression, but I suspect that (like so many former presidents) they are only blowing smoke.

Personally, I am trying to position myself and prepare for the worst. Even if a depression doesn't occur, there is nothing wrong with simplifying your lifestyle, spending less, and trying to live a more self-sustained existence. Of course, the media and the government would prefer that we spend more cash on *things* to try and bolster the economy, but if we spend all of our savings and the economy totally tanks anyway, we will be in much worse shape than if we had some cash saved up.