Yup. You and I live in this place called reality and you're right on the second point too. I see that you've gone more in depth after you posted this.
I can't believe nobody said www.ar-15.co/. It's where I get all my current economy facts. Hehe[Tooth]
zerohedge is a good resource. A little hard to read if economics isn't your first/second/third language, but if you take a step back and use the daily headlines as a dowsing rod, you'll surely gain some insight to the global economic scene. I think it's a very good site.
Cheers,
m.