"Our study found that, while America remains long on ideals, it's short on actual everyday realization of those ideals. The unavoidable conclusion is, unfortunately, that for most Americans, faced with a stagnant economy, high income tax rates, overcompetition for the fewer and fewer remaining jobs that actually pay a living wage, and inflation that is expected to worsen, together with already spiraling increases in the cost of living for millions, practical day-to-day freedom remains a luxury few Americans can actually afford to enjoy" explained Brian Stockhouse, Ph.D., describing the controversial study. "Our researchers identified shopping as the last refuge of absolute freedom left to the average American."